A conservative political action committee has launched a $3.3 million ad campaign in Virginia's gubernatorial race, criticizing Democrat Abigail Spanberger's record on transgender issues. The ads accuse her of supporting policies that endanger children, amid a tightening contest against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. The race has also been rocked by a scandal involving Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
Restoration of America PAC released a 30-second ad on October 17, 2025, running on television and digital platforms across Virginia. The spot features ominous music and a narrator stating, "Abigail Spanberger is as extreme as it gets." It claims, "She'd allow boys to play girls sports and shower in girls locker rooms … naked. Worse? She's apparently all in on horrifying gender mutilation reversal and irreversible sterilization of children." The PAC aims to force Spanberger, a former CIA officer and congresswoman, to address her positions, which it describes as a "pro-trans record."
Spanberger faces Earle-Sears in the November election, viewed as a bellwether for 2026 midterms. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Spanberger this week, and most polls show her leading. The ad highlights her 2023 vote against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which sought to restrict transgender women and girls from female sports categories. She also co-sponsored the Equality Act in 2019, 2021, and 2023, which would add gender identity protections, potentially allowing transgender girls in girls' facilities and sports, according to critics.
When pressed by local media last month, Spanberger said, "I think it’s important that we have parents and teachers and administrators making decisions … based on the age of children, based on the type of sport, based on competitiveness." Her campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the ad or her positions.
PAC founder Doug Truax told Fox News Digital, "She’s taken some pretty exacting stances on child mutilation, and she’s been perfectly fine with it. She’s got to make a stand on this." Earle-Sears has similarly attacked Spanberger on the issue.
The race has been complicated by a scandal involving Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general. Texts from 2022 surfaced showing Jones wishing death on Republican leader Todd Gilbert and his family, calling them "breeding little fascists," and expressing desire to "piss" on Republican graves. In a recent debate, Jones said, "I’m ashamed, I’m embarrassed, and I’m sorry." Republican incumbent Jason Miyares responded that if truly sorry, Jones would not run, adding, "If Jay Jones was applying to be a line prosecutor... he wouldn’t pass the background check."
Jones also received a lenient sentence for 2022 reckless driving at 116 mph in a 70 mph zone, serving community service through his own PAC, unlike others who faced jail time. The scandal has shifted polls, with Miyares now leading Jones by 0.3%. Spanberger has faced pressure for not calling for Jones to drop out; Earle-Sears released an ad showing Spanberger dodging questions on the texts.
A study by the Institute for Legislative Analysis describes Spanberger's congressional voting record as aligned with the Democratic Party's far-left wing on issues like crime, immigration, spending, national security, and energy, despite her moderate campaign pitch. CEO Ryan McGowan stated, "Our analysis makes one thing clear: Abigail Spanberger’s voting record is consistently more aligned with the far-left wing of the Democratic Party."