In a heated debate at Norfolk State University, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears pressed Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger to condemn attorney general candidate Jay Jones over his violent text messages, while also criticizing her stance on transgender bathroom policies. Spanberger dodged direct answers on Jones' endorsement and transgender issues, leading to a tightening race. The exchange highlighted ongoing controversies in Virginia's 2025 election.
The sole gubernatorial debate between Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger took place on October 9, 2025, at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, hosted by WAVY-TV. Earle-Sears repeatedly interjected to demand Spanberger call for Jones, the Democratic attorney general nominee, to drop out after his August 2022 text messages surfaced, in which he envisioned the murder of then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and suggested harming his children to change his politics.
Spanberger condemned the texts as 'harmful, reckless and wrong' but refused to withdraw her endorsement, stating, 'We are all running our individual races' and that voters would decide. The moderator pressed for a yes-or-no answer for over two minutes, but Spanberger evaded, focusing instead on the motives behind releasing the texts. Earle-Sears also challenged Spanberger on transgender student policies, accusing her of supporting 'men nude in girls’ locker rooms' amid a separate controversy involving registered sex offender Richard Kenneth Cox, who used a transgender identity to access Arlington school facilities.
Cox, 58, emailed Arlington school board member Kathleen Clark on October 25, 2024, identifying as 'Riki' and complaining about locker room rules, prompting Earle-Sears to state: 'This ‘woman’ — child predator Richard ‘Riki’ Cox — repeatedly used a girls’ locker room and exposed himself to young girls. Abigail Spanberger thinks he has the right to be there.' Arlington schools allow facilities matching gender identity but banned Cox after his arrest on 21 charges.
Democratic leaders rallied behind Jones. House Speaker Don Scott Jr. called Republican demands a 'double standard,' citing former President Trump's comments on Liz Cheney, while Senate President L. Louise Lucas and Sen. Mamie Locke condemned the rhetoric but affirmed support, saying, 'There is no place for political violence... Jay must take accountability.'
Polls show the race narrowing. A Cygnal survey post-Labor Day had Spanberger leading by seven points; recent figures show a 4.5-point lead. Trafalgar reported Spanberger at 47.7% and Earle-Sears at 45.1%, a 2-point gap. Pollster Brent Buchanan noted the AG scandal is now driving the governor's race, with many voters unaware of the texts. Focus groups criticized Spanberger's performance as 'stiff' and evasive.
The debate occurs amid Virginia's swing dynamics in Hampton Roads, with the November 4 election approaching.