A liberal political action committee is throwing its weight behind Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger by sponsoring ads targeting her Republican rival, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
In the 30-second ad dropped on Tuesday from the nonprofit organization VoteVets, an Air Force veteran and Virginia resident shares his concerns about the cost of living, taking aim at policies supported by Earle-Sears.
“The cost of living is out of control. And Winsome Earle-Sears would make it worse. A sales tax on groceries? She voted to keep it. New tariffs that’ll drive prices even higher?” the veteran says. “But billionaires? She pledged no new taxes on them. You don’t have to guess whose side Winsome Earle-Sears is on, not ours.”
The advertising will start in the Richmond and Norfolk media markets, targeting voters on broadcast, streaming and Spotify.
In February, VoteVets announced in a memorandum that it would be investing $500,000 into Spanberger’s campaign, making the former CIA officer the recipient of the largest single donation from the group in its 20-year history.
“Abigail Spanberger is the type of candidate we know can win,” the memo reads. “She can speak with credibility and authority to various audiences across the political spectrum — something that can’t be said for every candidate. She’ll stay focused on issues Virginians care about and, with VoteVets’ support, can prove she will fight to make life better for them.”
A previous campaign ad aimed at her Republican opponent shares footage from a CNN interview that Earle-Sears sat for with anchor Manu Raju in which she dodged questions about President Donald Trump.
Raju asked “yes or no” if Earle-Sears “supports the President’s purge of the federal workforce,” a reference to the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency workforce cuts. Earle-Sears became frustrated, saying she wouldn’t participate in the inquiry and arguing instead they should focus on “real issues.”
“Really? Not a real issue that thousands of Virginians are losing their jobs?” a narrator in Spanberger’s campaign ad says in response.
“It’s a real issue that Sears supports Trump, not Virginians. Winsome Earle-Sears: So far right, she’s wrong for Virginia,” the narrator continues.
In return, Earle-Sears launched an attack campaign ad Thursday, alleging Spanberger is a career politician and “Washington insider.”
“Four years ago, we rejected career politicians and sent a message, move Virginia forward,” she said. “But Abigail Spanberger is a Washington insider who voted with (Nancy) Pelosi and (Joe) Biden every single time.”
Despite Earle-Sears dismissing recent polls as inaccurate and alleging that the media is reporting that she’s behind Spanberger to discourage voters, one poll shows the Lieutenant Governor lagging behind Spanberger by 12 percentage points. A May poll from Roanoke College shows a 43% to 26% lead for Spanberger.
Spanberger is also outpacing Earle-Sears in fundraising, reporting more than $15 million on hand at the end of the most recent fundraising period, while Sears ended it with just $4.5 million.
The General Election for Virginia Governor will be held Nov. 4, 2025.
