Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin slammed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger for her support of transgender women being allowed in women’s sports and women’s bathrooms.
During an interview with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, Youngkin pointed out the work she did during her time in Congress. Youngkin said her past support is the reason that Spanberger has not been able to deliver a direct answer on her stance on transgender rights.
“At the end of the day, Abigail Spanberger wants there to be boys in girls’ bathrooms, and wants boys to be in girls’ sports,” Youngkin said. “That’s where she stands, and the reason why she cannot answer the question is because she knows where she is, which is so objectionable to almost all Virginians, and therefore she refuses to answer the question.”
“The reality is that having men in girls’ bathrooms and having biological males in girls’ sports is unsafe, it’s wrong, and it violates the dignity of women and girls,” Youngkin added. “That’s what Virginians believe, and that’s why she won’t answer the question.”
During a September interview, Spanberger was asked about her support of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports and using women’s bathrooms.
She said previously that Virginia had a process in place where, on an individual-by-individual basis, schools, parents, principals and coaches were making decisions based on fairness, competitiveness and safety.
Without specifically singling out transgender students, she added that sometimes a child would be able to play their chosen sport, corresponding with their preferred gender, while others were denied. Spanberger noted that she thought the process worked.
Youngkin said the latest poll from Trafalgar shows Spanberger’s once large lead over her opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, has shrunk to a 5-percentage-point lead.
“It has tightened up hugely in the course of the last month because of the reality that people understand that Abigail Spanberger is a liberal left Democrat who doesn’t believe anything consistent with Virginia Values, and that’s why this race has tightened up,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin then discussed recently surfaced texts sent by Jay Jones, a Democrat who is vying to become the state’s next Attorney General.
Jones sent messages to a colleague in 2022 saying former Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert should be shot, and added that he and his wife were evil and “breeding little fascists.”
Jones further said that Gilbert’s wife, Jennifer, “could watch her own child die in her arms, so that Gilbert might reconsider his political views.”
“Jay Jones, a member of Spanberger’s ticket, literally wishes death on children,” Youngkin said. “This is the race at hand, this is why I believe Virginians will come together and stand for the values that we hold dear. Get out and vote.”
Spanberger further released a statement condemning his comments.
“After learning of these comments earlier today, I spoke frankly with Jay about my disgust about what he had said and texted,” Spanberger said. “I made clear to Jay that he must take responsibility for his words. What I also made clear is that as a candidate — and as the next Governor of our Commonwealth, I will always condemn violent language in our politics.”
