Earle-Sears, Spanberger Clash over Political Violence, Transgender Policy, and Shutdown in Heated Virginia Debate

by Tyler O’Neil   Virginia governor candidates, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, went head-to-head at Norfolk State University Thursday night, debating political violence, transgender issues, the government shutdown, and more. Nexstar’s WAVY-TV hosted the debate, with WAVY-TV’s Tom Schaad and WRIC-TV’s Deanna Allbrittin as moderators. Spanberger repeatedly refused to answer questions, while Earle-Sears repeatedly interrupted her. When asked about the interruptions, Earle-Sears Press Secretary Peyton Vogel noted that moderators repeatedly refused the Republican candidate the opportunity for a rebuttal to Spanberger’s attacks. She contrasted Earle-Sears, “a leader willing to stand up when they need to” to Spanberger, who “can’t even stand u