Spanberger, Earle-Sears release new ads

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Both Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears have released new advertisements this week in the race for Virginia governor, giving us a peek into how they may try to reach voters ahead of Election Day.

“One of the unknowns about the campaign this year is who Winsome Earle-Sears [is],” said Randolph-Macon Political Science Professor Rich Meagher.

The Earle-Sears advertisement highlights the successes of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration and the important role Earle-Sears has played in this perceived success.

“Who’s the most popular Republican in Virginia? It’s Glenn Youngkin,” Meagher said. “So it’s not a bad idea to say, well, who’s the guy that I’m gonna most emulate, the guy I’m connected with. If you want four more years of what you liked about Glenn Youngkin, I can provide that."

Meanwhile, Meagher thinks the Spanberger advertisement, which highlights Earle-Sears' support for President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” is an attempt to tie Earle-Sears to a president who has never won Virginia in three tries.

“To say that whatever Trump does, it belongs to the Republican Party, whoever’s a Republican owns Trump," Meagher told 8News. "I think making that connection is something that Democrats have tried and successfully in some places."