Latest news with #VirginiaPoliceBenevolentAssociation
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Spanberger and Earle-Sears still at odds over when to debate in Virginia governor's race
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, formally accepted CNN's invitation on Wednesday to participate in a fall debate. But her Democratic opponent, former US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, declined CNN's invitation a day later. The election is one of two governor's races across the nation in the year immediately after the presidential election and could serve as a bellwether ahead of next year's midterms. Earle-Sears is seen by many in her party as an underdog against Spanberger, who won the endorsement Wednesday of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association even as the law enforcement group backed Republicans for lieutenant governor and attorney general. CNN's forum would have taken place live in late September or early October with questions posed directly by voters and moderated by network anchors. 'Winsome Earle-Sears is not afraid to answer tough questions and face Virginians head-on. This debate is an opportunity for voters to see the difference between a leader with a clear plan and a career politician who would rather talk around the issues,' Earle-Sears campaign spokeswoman Peyton Vogel said. Spanberger's team pointed to a regional debate that the campaign accepted and Earle-Sears declined. It said negotiations are underway with WAVY-TV and Norfolk State University. 'We have declined an offer to participate in a debate hosted by CNN in order to prioritize Virginia broadcasters and ensure the focus remains squarely on issues impacting Virginia,' said Samson Signori, Spanberger's campaign manager. 'We believe that debates about Virginia's future should be rooted in Virginia, produced by Virginia media, and accessible to Virginians across the Commonwealth — which is especially important after Winsome Earle-Sears declined a debate that featured three Virginia broadcast partners.' Since 2015, CNN has moderated or co-moderated more than 190 town halls, 13 presidential primary debates and two general election debates.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Earle-Sears accepts CNN invitation to Virginia governor's debate
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, formally accepted CNN's invitation on Wednesday to participate in a fall debate. Her Democratic opponent, former US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has not yet responded to CNN's invitation. The election is one of two governor's races across the nation in the year immediately after the presidential election and could serve as a bellwether ahead of next year's midterms. Earle-Sears is seen by many in her party as an underdog against Spanberger, who won the endorsement Wednesday of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association even as the law enforcement group backed Republicans for lieutenant governor and attorney general. CNN's forum will take place live in late September or early October with questions posed directly by voters and moderated by network anchors. 'Winsome Earle-Sears is not afraid to answer tough questions and face Virginians head-on. This debate is an opportunity for voters to see the difference between a leader with a clear plan and a career politician who would rather talk around the issues,' Earle-Sears campaign spokeswoman Peyton Vogel said. Spanberger's team declined to comment on the nationally televised CNN debate or her future plans, but pointed to a regional debate that the campaign accepted and Earle-Sears declined. 'Abigail formally accepted the statewide 'People's Debate' more than a month ago with AARP Virginia, Virginia State University, WTVR-Richmond, WJLA-Northern Virginia, and WTKR-Norfolk confirming her participation for September 16 at Virginia State University. Unfortunately, her opponent just declined to participate in this statewide debate,' said Samson Signori, Spanberger's campaign manager. Earle-Sears' team cited a scheduling conflict with her official schedule on Sept. 16 but say they are eager to debate Spanberger and hopes she accepts CNN's invitation. Since 2015, CNN has moderated or co-moderated more than 190 town halls, 13 presidential primary debates and two general election debates. 'CNN has extended an invitation to Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears and Representative Spanberger to participate in a live CNN Gubernational Town Hall Debate this fall,' a CNN spokesperson said in a statement. 'Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears has accepted our invitation, and we look forward to hearing from Representative Spanberger.'
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Earle-Sears accepts CNN invitation to Virginia governor's debate
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, formally accepted CNN's invitation on Wednesday to participate in a fall debate. Her Democratic opponent, former US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has not yet responded to CNN's invitation. The election is one of two governor's races across the nation in the year immediately after the presidential election and could serve as a bellwether ahead of next year's midterms. Earle-Sears is seen by many in her party as an underdog against Spanberger, who won the endorsement Wednesday of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association even as the law enforcement group backed Republicans for lieutenant governor and attorney general. CNN's forum will take place live in late September or early October with questions posed directly by voters and moderated by network anchors. 'Winsome Earle-Sears is not afraid to answer tough questions and face Virginians head-on. This debate is an opportunity for voters to see the difference between a leader with a clear plan and a career politician who would rather talk around the issues,' Earle-Sears campaign spokeswoman Peyton Vogel said. Spanberger's team declined to comment on the nationally televised CNN debate or her future plans, but pointed to a regional debate that the campaign accepted and Earle-Sears declined. 'Abigail formally accepted the statewide 'People's Debate' more than a month ago with AARP Virginia, Virginia State University, WTVR-Richmond, WJLA-Northern Virginia, and WTKR-Norfolk confirming her participation for September 16 at Virginia State University. Unfortunately, her opponent just declined to participate in this statewide debate,' said Samson Signori, Spanberger's campaign manager. Earle-Sears' team cited a scheduling conflict with her official schedule on Sept. 16 but say they are eager to debate Spanberger and hopes she accepts CNN's invitation. Since 2015, CNN has moderated or co-moderated more than 190 town halls, 13 presidential primary debates and two general election debates. 'CNN has extended an invitation to Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears and Representative Spanberger to participate in a live CNN Gubernational Town Hall Debate this fall,' a CNN spokesperson said in a statement. 'Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears has accepted our invitation, and we look forward to hearing from Representative Spanberger.'
CNN
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Earle-Sears accepts CNN invitation to Virginia governor's debate
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee for governor, formally accepted CNN's invitation on Wednesday to participate in a fall debate. Her Democratic opponent, former US Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has not yet responded to CNN's invitation. The election is one of two governor's races across the nation in the year immediately after the presidential election and could serve as a bellwether ahead of next year's midterms. Earle-Sears is seen by many in her party as an underdog against Spanberger, who won the endorsement Wednesday of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association even as the law enforcement group backed Republicans for lieutenant governor and attorney general. CNN's forum will take place live in late September or early October with questions posed directly by voters and moderated by network anchors. 'Winsome Earle-Sears is not afraid to answer tough questions and face Virginians head-on. This debate is an opportunity for voters to see the difference between a leader with a clear plan and a career politician who would rather talk around the issues,' Earle-Sears campaign spokeswoman Peyton Vogel said. Spanberger's team declined to comment on the nationally televised CNN debate or her future plans, but pointed to a regional debate that the campaign accepted and Earle-Sears declined. 'Abigail formally accepted the statewide 'People's Debate' more than a month ago with AARP Virginia, Virginia State University, WTVR-Richmond, WJLA-Northern Virginia, and WTKR-Norfolk confirming her participation for September 16 at Virginia State University. Unfortunately, her opponent just declined to participate in this statewide debate,' said Samson Signori, Spanberger's campaign manager. Earle-Sears' team cited a scheduling conflict with her official schedule on Sept. 16 but say they are eager to debate Spanberger and hopes she accepts CNN's invitation. Since 2015, CNN has moderated or co-moderated more than 190 town halls, 13 presidential primary debates and two general election debates. 'CNN has extended an invitation to Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears and Representative Spanberger to participate in a live CNN Gubernational Town Hall Debate this fall,' a CNN spokesperson said in a statement. 'Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears has accepted our invitation, and we look forward to hearing from Representative Spanberger.'
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Abigail Spanberger Wins Backing of Group That Endorsed Glenn Youngkin
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the endorsement of a police organization that backed GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin in his 2021 run, as polls suggest Spanberger has carved out a polling lead over her Republican rival, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Newsweek reached out to the Spanberger and Earle-Sears campaigns for comment via email. Why It Matters Virginia voters will elect their next governor in November, as Youngkin cannot run again due to term limits. The party outside of the White House has historically performed well in the off-year elections in the former battleground that has shifted toward Democrats over the past few decades. But the race will be a key test for both parties. Democrats will be hoping to win back voters who shifted rightward and test their message ahead of the midterms. Republicans, meanwhile, will be aiming to hold onto those same voters, particularly Latino and Asian voters with whom President Donald Trump made inroads last year. What to Know Spanberger rolled out the endorsement of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (PBA) on Wednesday, less than three months before Virginia voters cast their ballots in the race. Joe Woloszyn, president of the Virginia PBA, wrote in a statement that he believes Spanberger "understands the responsibility of putting on the badge" as a former federal law enforcement. Former Representative Abigail Spanberger attends a rally in Alexandria, Virginia on April 10, 2025. Former Representative Abigail Spanberger attends a rally in Alexandria, Virginia on April 10, 2025."As a Member of Congress, she repeatedly voted to increase funding for local police departments and sheriff's offices — and she was relentless in pushing her bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act across the finish line to secure the earned benefits of thousands of Virginia's retired police officers," he wrote. In 2021, the organization backed Youngkin for governor and Earle-Sears in the lieutenant governor race. Both went on to narrowly win their elections against Democratic candidates in November—Youngkin by 2 points and Earle-Sears by 1.5 points. At the time, Woloszyn wrote that Youngkin had an "in depth understanding of the complex issues currently facing law enforcement in the commonwealth. The endorsement came after the Democrats' 2021 nominee, former Governor Terry McAuliffe, declined to meet with the group. Virginia Governor Race: What Polls Show The latest polls of the Virginia governor race show Spanberger with a lead. A Virginia Commonwealth University poll released last month showed Spanberger leading by 12 points (49 percent to 37 percent). It surveyed 764 registered voters from June 19, 2025, to July 3, 2025, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.16 percentage points. A HarrisX poll from earlier this year showed a closer race, showing her up four points (52 percent to 48 percent). It surveyed 1,000 likely voters from May 9 to May 13, 2025. What People Are Saying Woloszyn wrote in the statement: "Abigail has a deep, expert-level knowledge of the unique challenges facing Virginia's law enforcement officers, and she is a leader who shares our goal of building trust across our communities and working towards a safer, stronger Commonwealth. The VAPBA Board of Directors is proud to publicly endorse Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia." Spanberger wrote in a statement: "Virginians deserve a Governor who recognizes the tremendous sacrifice that comes with swearing an oath to protect and serve our neighbors. As Governor, I will always make sure our brave men and women in blue have the tools, resources, and training they need to do their jobs and keep us safe. I look forward to working directly with VAPBA and the communities they serve as Governor to have the backs of our fellow Virginians who go to work each day to put others first." Political scientist Larry Sabato wrote to X: "Interesting. I always look for endorsement flips. VA Police Benevolent Association--which backed all Rs in 2021-- just endorsed Spanberger (D). They stuck with Rs for Lt Gov (Reid) and AG (Miyares). In '21 the group backed Earle-Sears for Lt Gov." Journalist David Weigel wrote on X: "One of McAuliffe's 2021 fumbles was skipping the VPBA meeting; he had trouble navigating the post-George Floyd landscape where police unions didn't trust Dems, was annoyed that his record wasn't enough." What Happens Next The Virginia gubernatorial general election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
