Breaking down the Virginia governor’s debate
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Thursday night’s Virginia governor’s debate quickly became about Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee for attorney general -- but a political analyst says he thinks the defining moment of the debate was when candidates discussed LGBTQ+ rights.
On Thursday, Oct. 9, WAVY-10 hosted the Virginia Gubernatorial Debate at Norfolk State University. It was moderated by 8News’ own Deanna Allbrittin and WAVY anchor Tom Schaad.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears went on the offensive on the issue after we learned Jones sent text messages saying former Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his kids should be killed.
“Abigail, when are you gonna take Jay Jones and say to him, you must leave the race?” Earle-Sears asked.
MORE: 3 memorable moments from Virginia governor’s debate between Spanberger, Earle-Sears
After being asked three times if she still endorses Jones, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger said, “We are all running our individual races.”
“Obviously, the sort of drama and theater that Winsome Sears brought in the early going, particularly about Jay Jones, it was very dramatic, but I think that affects the Attorney General’s race more than this particular gubernatorial race,” Randolph-Macon Political Science Professor Rich Meagher told 8News.
On LGBTQ+ rights, Spanberger criticized Earle-Sears over her lack of support for same-sex marriage.
“My opponent has previously said that she does not think that gay couples should be allowed to marry,” Spanberger said.
RELATED: Earle-Sears wrote of ‘moral opposition’ to marriage equality when signing 2024 bill
She went on to say Earle-Sears is not against employees being fired for their sexuality.
“That’s not discrimination,” Earle-Sears said, repeatedly, about both statements.
Meagher described this as "the moment of the debate" -- and not a good one -- for Earle-Sears' gubernatorial prospects.
"These are issues unlike the transgender issues, where I think the public is not in line with what [Earle-Sears] believes,” he said.
Notably, Earle-Sears' running mate -- Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Reid -- is an openly gay man. If he becomes lieutenant governor, he would make history as the first openly gay person to serve as a state official.
