Virginia’s gubernatorial election is around the corner. On Nov. 4, voters across the state will choose between former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D) or current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (R). Both have attacked one another in the form of political ads and on the debate stage, but what does each candidate stand for regarding key issues Virginians are facing? Here is a brief summary of both candidate’s stance on the cost of living, immigration and reproductive rights.
Cost of living
Spanberger has promised to lower costs by enacting her “Affordable Virginia Plan” when she is governor. Her plan includes changes to healthcare, housing and energy. In healthcare, Spanberger plans to replace third-party pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) with a single, Virginia-run PBM, cut costs on expensive medication and make healthcare more accessible and affordable. In housing, she plans to protect and expand affordable housing and cut regulations on housing construction. In energy, Spanberger plans to lower energy bills by increasing localized energy, maximizing existing energy resources and making data centers pay proportionate infrastructure costs.
Earle-Sears has promised to lower costs by lowering taxes, cutting wasteful government spending and removing regulations. Earle-Sears has focused on removing the state’s controversial car tax if she is elected governor. She has promised to lower the cost of living for families in Virginia by cutting taxes on tips and goods for children. Earle-Sears states that she will cut taxes on essentials for families so they will be able to retain more of what they earn. She has also embraced an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, meaning Earle-Sears will support policies that grow both renewables and nonrenewables. According to Radio IQ, Earle-Sears supports “matching infrastructure grants, streamlining approval processes and expanding tax initiatives for public-private affordable housing partnerships” as a way to grow housing affordability.
Immigration
Spanberger stated that she would not support using the Virginia Guard to enforce federal immigration policies. She stated that she believes in cooperation and coordination between agencies, but maintains that detentions made because of immigration detainers should remain with federal immigration enforcement. According to the Virginia Mercury, Spanberger believes that without safeguards, “local cooperation with ICE undermines community policing, creates constitutional concerns and strains already tight budgets.” Spanberger has stated that if she is elected governor, she would rescind Executive Order 47, which was issued by Governor Youngkin. This granted Virginia State Police and corrections officers the right to identify and detain illegal immigrants. During the Virginia Gubernatorial Debate, Spanberger stated she would not support sanctuary policies.
Earle-Sears stated that she would support deploying the Virginia Guard to enforce federal immigration policies for public safety. On her website, Earle-Sears stated she would “end radical policies like ‘catch-and-release’ and ensure violent criminal illegal immigrants are arrested, detained, and sent back to where they came from.” Earle-Sears supported Executive Order 47 when it was first signed. On the order, she stated, “We’ve seen too many tragic stories after dangerous criminals in this country illegally were put back on the streets, and this Executive Order will make sure we send them back to where they came from.” Earle-Sears does not support sanctuary policies for Virginia.
Reproductive rights
Spanberger stated she supported “The Roe standard” during the Virginia Gubernatorial Debate. On her website, Spanberger has stated she wants to protect “the right to contraception, the right to choose, and the right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF).” She has stated she would support codifying abortion access in the Virginia State Constitution. In the Virginia Gubernatorial Debate, Spanberger stated she supports limits on access to abortion for minors and abortion after the second trimester.
Earle-Sears supports limits on abortion. When asked during the Virginia Gubernatorial Debate if she supported a six week or 15 week ban, Earle-Sears stated “My position is that the Commonwealth needs to come together and figure out where it wants to be. It’s not going to be my view, it’s going to be a view of the majority.” She continued, “There is a constitutional amendment and the voters will make that decision.”
This article is a short summary of each candidate’s stances on the three most important issues, according to a poll conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). According to another poll conducted by VCU in October 2025, Spanberger holds a lead over Earle-Sears 49% to 42%. This remains consistent with findings in July and September of this year.
Call (Bill Clark)
