Spanberger faces Earle Sears in pivotal Virginia race | JQJO

Virginia’s Nov. 4 governor’s race, a key early test after Democrats’ 2024 setbacks, pits former Rep. Abigail Spanberger against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger will rally with Barack Obama before Election Day, while Donald Trump has had little involvement as Earle-Sears seeks to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin; either winner would become the state’s first female governor. Spanberger’s early edge has been complicated by backlash to violent text messages from Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones, which she denounced as he remains in the race. Republicans are seizing the issue, as Democrats also mount a last-minute redistricting push.