OCTOBER 2, 2025 – The race for Virginia’s next governor intensified sharply as the leading candidates launched pointed attack ads, centering the campaign on the divisive cultural issues of transgender rights and abortion.
Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears fired the first volley with an ad targeting her Democratic opponent, former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger. The ad criticizes Spanberger for her past support of the federal Equality Act, legislation that would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The spot links the 2019 bill to isolated incidents in Virginia school districts, claiming, “Virginia moms are blasting Abigail Spanberger’s sick and extreme gender politics that put our kids in danger.”
In response, the Spanberger campaign released a counter-ad focusing on abortion access, a key issue for Democrats since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The ad accuses Earle-Sears of supporting a near-total abortion ban that would not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. This claim appears to be at odds with Earle-Sears’ previous public statements, in which she has indicated support for such exceptions.
The exchange of attack ads comes at a critical moment in the campaign. Early voting is now underway, and the two candidates are set to meet for a pivotal debate on October 9. While recent polls show Spanberger maintaining a lead, the race is reported to be narrowing, suggesting these high-stakes cultural arguments could be pivotal in swaying undecided voters.
The competing advertisements signal that both campaigns believe mobilizing their bases over these deeply personal and polarizing issues is the key to victory in the final stretch of the election.
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