How Virginia’s governor’s race became a microcosm of national issues

Amna Nawaz:

Virginians will lead the polls next Tuesday, to vote to choose the state’s next governor. But the results may also serve as a referendum on the president’s first 10 months in office and offer clues about what to expect across the country in next year’s midterm elections.

Liz Landers catches up with the candidates and voters.

Liz Landers:

As Virginia schools begin their homecoming festivities, just outside the gates, the off-year gubernatorial race is taking place along the sidelines and at tailgate parties.

We are at Hampton University. This is a historically black college in the Tidewater area of ​​Virginia. And Abigail Spanberger is campaigning here today during Homecoming Weekend.

It’s doing what it’s done for the better part of a year.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), gubernatorial candidate: Hello. I’m Abigail.

Liz Landers:

Introduce herself to voters and maintain focus on health care and the economy.

Spanberger is a former CIA officer who won a congressional seat in 2018 in a district that has not elected a Democrat in decades.

Representative Abigail Spanberger:

I’m proud of the work I did on the bills I signed into law, all of which took coalition building.

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears (R-Va.), gubernatorial candidate: I see all my naughty friends are here.

(acclaim)

Liz Landers:

A few miles down the road, but a world away politically…

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears:

Abigail voted not to send criminals and illegals home.

Liz Landers:

… Winsome Earle-Sears is running as an ally of Donald Trump. Earle Sears, a Marine Corps veteran, made history four years ago when she became the first woman of color elected to statewide office as lieutenant governor with Glenn Youngkin.

man:

And the next Governor of the great Commonwealth of Virginia!

Liz Landers:

The Republican gubernatorial candidate is running on Youngkin’s economy, a simple message, to keep the good things going, and by focusing on the culture war issues that swept Republicans into office four years ago and turned Northern Virginia school board meetings into battles over transgender students’ parental rights in bathrooms and sports.

man:

I am disgusted by your triumphalism and corruption.

Liz Landers:

The recent bullying does show that the issue resonates deeply with voters this year, earlier this month, at a school board meeting, to mostly empty seats.

But Earl Sears still makes transgender issues a major focus of her campaign.

Narrator:

She voted to allow men in girls’ sports, bathrooms and locker rooms.

Matt Malone is running for Loudoun County School Board. A father of two, battles over parental rights four years ago inspired him to run.

Matt Malone (R), Loudoun County School Board Candidate: The (OFF-MIKE) issue, No Boys Where Girls Are.

woman:

I agree.

Matt Malone:

Do you agree?

woman:

Yes.

Matt Malone:

Thank you. I tell my children: Don’t hate anyone. Don’t hate anyone and don’t judge anyone. But there are limits.

My daughter wants to exercise. She is 9 years old. She wants to play volleyball and basketball and I want her to feel safe in the locker room and bathroom.

Liz Landers:

Malone likes what he hears from Earl Sears.

Matt Malone:

I think it has a backbone of steel. And we need someone who can fight for children in the governor’s office.

Liz Landers:

The Williams Institute estimates that in Virginia, 18,200 youth between the ages of 13 and 17, or 3%, identify as transgender.

Michael Brown, Spanberger supporter:

I don’t really agree with boys showering with girls and all that kind of stuff.

Liz Landers:

It’s an issue that even some Democrats have expressed concern about.

What is your message to Democrats on this issue?

Representative Abigail Spanberger:

There is nothing more important than the safety of all our children. I believe that many of the decisions we are talking about are best made at the local level by parents, teachers, and administrators.

Liz Landers:

But she says it’s the economy that needs her most urgent attention, with rising unemployment rates and a federal government shutdown now in its fifth week looming during this race. About 320,000 federal government employees live in Virginia.

Daniel Davis was one of them until he was fired by Elon Musk in July.

Daniel Davis, former federal employee:

It was a very difficult time. I have worked on health policy for older adults and people with disabilities for the past 15 years. And not being able to serve these people and help them get the care they need is really painful.

Liz Landers:

He believes Spanberger cares more about the plight of federal workers, which is why he supports her.

Danielle Davis:

Abigail Spanberger, as a former federal employee, really sees federal workers. It’s about the sacrifices we make, and the challenges we face.

Liz Landers:

Meanwhile, Earl Sears blames Democrats for the shutdown.

But my question to you is: Should the Trump administration continue to reduce the federal workforce through any mechanism?

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears:

My question is, where are the five Democrats we need to keep federal employees in their jobs so they can pay their bills?

Liz Landers:

But for many voters, this race isn’t just about the two women on the ballot. It’s about the man in the White House.

woman:

For me, Trump is one factor. He said enough.

man:

Personally, I hope he doesn’t break the news every day and confuse everyone.

woman:

I’m worried about our democracy, and I’m worried about authoritarianism right now.

You’ve positioned yourself as a consensus builder, someone who works across the aisle. Will you work with President Trump on areas like job creation?

Representative Abigail Spanberger:

I guess you’re not working with an arsonist who burned down the house to rebuild it. In this particular case, the person responsible for the absolute attack on the federal workforce is not the right person to help rebuild our economy.

Liz Landers:

Earl Sears is fighting an uphill battle. Only once in the past 50 years has Virginia elected a governor of the same political party as the president.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I think the Republican nominee is very good, and I think she should win.

Liz Landers:

President Trump has not officially endorsed Earl Sears.

Do you think it would be good for you if the president was campaigning for you?

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears:

Well of course. This is a good strategy, don’t you think? naturally.

Victoria Nichols, supporter of Earl Sears:

There’s a lot of talk about Trump. Trump really stays out of it. And he should, because you know what? This ticket can run Virginia.

Liz Landers:

Another wild card? A trending story about a series of violent text messages sent by Jay Jones, a Democrat running for attorney general in Virginia, several years ago. In the letters, Jones described the former Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives as being virtually assassinated.

Representative Abigail Spanberger:

The comments made by Jay Jones are absolutely hateful.

Liz Landers:

Jones has apologized and expressed remorse. Spanberger has denounced the texts, but not the candidate.

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears:

When are you going to take Jay Jones and say, ‘You’ve got to quit racing?’

Liz Landers:

No matter who wins Tuesday, history will be made. Virginia has never elected a female governor until now.

On the “PBS News Hour,” I’m Liz Landers from Virginia.