Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger faced off Thursday night in the Virginia gubernatorial debate, held just weeks before Election Day and days after the emergence of the Jay Jones texting scandal that has roiled the state’s Democratic Party.

The debate, broadcast statewide from Richmond, gave both candidates an opportunity to address key issues shaping the race — including ethics, education, and gender policies — though Spanberger faced sustained questioning over her continued endorsement of Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general.

Jones came under fire earlier this month when a series of text messages from 2022 surfaced in which he appeared to fantasize about murdering then-Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Todd Gilbert, a Republican, and about Gilbert’s children dying in his wife’s arms.

The texts were sent to a former GOP colleague and have prompted widespread condemnation.

Despite repeated questions from moderators and from Earle-Sears during the debate, Spanberger declined to say whether she still supports Jones or whether she believes he should withdraw from the race.

“We are all running our individual races,” Spanberger said.

“It is up to every person to make their own decision.”

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When pressed again on whether she continues to endorse Jones following the revelations, Spanberger avoided a direct answer, instead reiterating that voters now “have the information” and can “make an individual choice based on this information.”

Her refusal to address the issue directly drew scrutiny from political observers, with some noting that the controversy has complicated Democratic efforts to regain ground in a state that has seen a political shift in recent election cycles.

This is devastating for Abigail Spanberger. It’s never a good sign when a full minute ad is just your opponent frozen without showing she has any soul at all. Spanberger looks like a robot: pic.twitter.com/4gULEl97ii

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 10, 2025

The debate also turned tense over questions about education policy and gender identity — an issue that has been at the forefront of political debate in Virginia since 2021, when the state became a flashpoint for disputes over transgender policies in schools.

Spanberger was asked whether she supports allowing biological males to use girls’ locker rooms and restrooms, a question she has avoided throughout the campaign.

She again declined to give a direct answer, offering instead a response emphasizing local control.

“My answer is that each local community decision should be made between parents and educators and teachers in each community,” Spanberger said, referencing her background in law enforcement and her role as a mother.

“Nothing is more important to me than the safety of all children.”

However, Spanberger did not say whether she would repeal the policy signed by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin that requires students to use restrooms corresponding to their biological sex.

Abigail Spanberger voted for the so-called Equality Act. That vote says a grown man can walk naked into your daughter’s locker room and if she’s uncomfortable, she’s the problem.

Virginia, ours daughters are not the problem, politicians like Abigail are. pic.twitter.com/E6sNdnnPsW

— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) October 9, 2025

Earle-Sears seized on Spanberger’s reluctance to take a clear position.

“Parents deserve to know exactly where their leaders stand,” Earle-Sears said during her response.

“This is not a time for ambiguity. It’s a time for leadership.”

The exchange became one of the most discussed moments of the evening, with political analysts comparing Spanberger’s performance to a “Dukakis moment” — referencing the 1988 presidential debate in which Democrat Michael Dukakis was criticized for giving a detached response to a question about crime.

Throughout the 90-minute debate, the two candidates also clashed on public safety, taxes, and Virginia’s economic outlook.

Earle-Sears emphasized her record on fiscal management and law enforcement, while Spanberger attempted to frame her campaign as focused on education and bipartisanship.

The fallout from the Jones scandal continues to hang over the Democratic ticket, with several state lawmakers calling his texts “disqualifying.”

Jones has not withdrawn from the race and has apologized publicly for his comments, calling them “deeply inappropriate.”

The Virginia gubernatorial election will take place in early November, with both campaigns now turning to their final round of rallies and media appearances.

Early voting began last week across the state.