An A2 Insights ballot reveals Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears narrowing the hole in opposition to Democrat Abigail Spanberger in Virginia’s gubernatorial contest, putting the race throughout the margin of error as voters head into the ultimate stretch earlier than November’s election.
Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is now simply three factors behind former Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger within the race to develop into Virginia’s subsequent governor, in keeping with a brand new survey. The A2 Insights ballot, carried out September 26–28, reveals Spanberger with 47.7 p.c assist and Earle-Sears with 44.6 p.c, putting the competition throughout the ballot’s margin of error.
The tightening ballot comes after a sequence of controversies which have outlined Spanberger’s marketing campaign. In September, she confronted backlash after encouraging supporters to “let your rage gasoline you” at a number of occasions, a phrase she has repeated on the path. Earle-Sears, who’s working on a message of unity, pushed again by declaring, “Virginia is for lovers — not rage.”
Spanberger has additionally been pressed to make clear her place on males taking part in ladies’s sports activities and utilizing feminine restrooms. Throughout a current media availability, she described previous state-level processes for dealing with such instances on a “one-by-one foundation” however didn’t provide a transparent sure or no reply, whereas Earle-Sears has constantly opposed organic males competing in ladies’s athletics or accessing feminine non-public areas.
The Democrat candidate has additionally come below scrutiny for endorsements and marketing campaign connections. Chesterfield County College Board member Dot Heffron, who endorsed Spanberger in 2023, sparked outrage after praising the assassination of Turning Level USA founder Charlie Kirk, prompting Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to name for Heffron’s resignation. Spanberger later issued an announcement condemning “any efforts to justify or decrease” political violence. Equally, a staffer for Spanberger’s marketing campaign was accused of celebrating Kirk’s assassination on social media, posting “F round and discover out.” Earle-Sears and the Republican Get together of Virginia referred to as on Spanberger to sentence the remarks and minimize ties.
Immigration has additionally been a flashpoint within the race. Spanberger confirmed in August that, if elected, she would rescind Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s govt order requiring cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), successfully pledging to show Virginia right into a sanctuary state. Youngkin responded that Spanberger was prioritizing “harmful criminals” over Virginians’ security, whereas Earle-Sears vowed to uphold strict enforcement.
Spanberger has confronted criticism from nationwide figures as properly. President Donald Trump took goal at her for supporting “males in ladies’s sports activities” and “open borders,” pointing to her refusal to obviously state opposition to biologically male athletes competing in women’ competitions. Earle-Sears amplified Trump’s remarks, saying Virginians should reject insurance policies that endanger ladies and households.
The marketing campaign path has additionally been marked by inflammatory rhetoric. In Arlington, protesters displayed an indication attacking Earle-Sears that in contrast her stance on transgender insurance policies to segregation, drawing widespread condemnation from leaders throughout each events. Spanberger labeled the signal “racist and abhorrent.”
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