With weeks until Virginia's gubernatorial election, Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger has avoided direct responses to two major controversies. One involves a violent text scandal from fellow Democrat Jay Jones, while the other concerns her stance on transgender bathroom policies amid a recent state directive. Republicans have seized on her silence during a recent debate.
The Virginia gubernatorial race is heating up as voters prepare to head to the polls in November 2025. Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman, has faced scrutiny over her handling of two controversies in the campaign's final stretch.
The first stems from text messages sent in 2022 by Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate for attorney general. Jones messaged a colleague expressing wishes for violence against former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his young children, then aged 2 and 5. The messages, which surfaced recently, have drawn bipartisan backlash. Republicans, including GOP gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, condemned them as calls for murder.
During last Thursday's debate, Earle-Sears pressed Spanberger on the issue. "Jay Jones advocated the murder — Abigail — the murder of a man, a former speaker, as well as his children who were 2 years and 5 years old. You have little girls. Would it take him pulling the trigger? Is that what would do it?" she asked, urging Spanberger to call for Jones to exit the race. Spanberger sidestepped questions about her endorsement of Jones, and her campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Democrats have largely rallied behind Jones. Senator Tim Kaine, a longtime acquaintance of 25 years, expressed continued support, noting, "I think those statements were not in character, and he has apologized — I wish other people in public life would sincerely apologize for stuff." Senator Mark Warner declined to comment on whether Jones should drop out or return a $25,000 donation from August. The Virginia Beach Democratic Committee defended Jones, stating, "We are lined up, ten toes down... Jay Jones has taken responsibility, apologized and shown he is committed to serving with integrity." Jones himself apologized, describing the remarks as "embarrassing and shameful," and said he contacted Gilbert's family.
On October 5, former President Donald Trump called the texts "sick" and "demented," demanding Jones withdraw and endorsing Republican Jason Miyares for attorney general.
The second controversy involves Spanberger's position on transgender policies. Earlier this month, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive directive separating bathrooms, locker rooms, and intimate spaces by sex assigned at birth, and barring biological males from female sports teams. When asked if she would rescind it, Spanberger replied, "My answer is that in each local community decisions should be made between parents and educators, and teachers in each community. It shouldn't be dictated by politicians." She added, "I'm a mother of three daughters in Virginia public schools, and nothing is more important to me than their safety and their experience in schools."
These issues highlight rising political tensions in Virginia, where concerns over violence and social policies could sway voters in the tight race.