Abigail Spanberger just handed Republicans the perfect ammunition.
The Virginia Democrat thought she could dodge the toughest questions in her gubernatorial race.
But Abigail Spanberger delivered a word salad that would make Kamala Harris jealous.
Spanberger dodges questions on violent Democrat and gender policies
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger faced brutal scrutiny after last week’s debate against Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears when she refused to give straight answers on two explosive issues.¹
The debate came at a critical moment – Spanberger’s once-commanding lead has evaporated as Republicans hammer her on supporting a Democrat under fire for violent rhetoric and her refusal to take clear positions on gender policies in schools.²
Spanberger got asked point-blank whether she still endorsed Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones after he made shocking remarks referencing "two bullets" for House Speaker Todd Gilbert and comments wishing death on Gilbert’s children.³
She didn’t provide a direct answer.⁴
Earle-Sears pounced, arguing voters deserve to know where Spanberger stands on a candidate accused of violent fantasies about murdering a Republican lawmaker and his young family.⁵
Look, this is the exact playbook that sank Kamala Harris. When pressed on tough issues, Democrats think they can talk around the question and voters won’t notice.
But Spanberger made it worse with a follow-up interview that left even Ted Cruz stunned.
The rambling non-answer that shocked political observers
WSHV 3 pressed Spanberger again on her position about Virginia’s bathroom policy – specifically whether she’d rescind Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order requiring students to use restrooms matching their biological sex.⁶
She declined to give a yes or no answer.⁷
When the interviewer asked directly, "What do you think of Earle-Sears’ claim that you’re fine with putting men in women’s locker rooms?" Spanberger launched into a two-and-a-half-minute statement that never included a straightforward response.⁸
Her rambling answer referenced Title IX, federal versus local authorities, and conflicting interpretations – everything except whether she actually supports the policy or not.⁹
"The reality is that the federal government has the ability to change the letter of the law. Through Congress, through the Senate, bills go to the president’s desk," Spanberger said.¹⁰
She continued with more abstract talk about jurisdictions and lawyers and federal funding threats, burning through 150 seconds without ever answering the actual question.¹¹
Senator Ted Cruz captured what everyone watching was thinking when he posted on X: "Wow, I think even Kamala listened to that and said ‘that’s an absolute word salad!’"¹²
The comparison to Harris isn’t accidental – Republicans have been explicitly running ads tying Spanberger to the failed vice president’s evasive communication style.¹³
Democrats still haven’t learned the lesson from 2024
Here’s what really matters about Spanberger’s debate disaster.
Voters just rejected Kamala Harris’s word salad routine three months ago. They sent a clear message that Americans are sick of politicians who can’t give straight answers to basic questions about policy.¹⁴
The Trump campaign effectively branded Harris as someone who couldn’t articulate clear positions, using her rambling non-answers as proof she was hiding a radical agenda. That strategy worked – Trump won decisively.¹⁵
Now Spanberger is running the exact same playbook in Virginia’s governor race. When asked about supporting a Democrat who fantasized about shooting a Republican lawmaker and his children, she dodges. When asked about protecting girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms from biological males, she gives a graduate seminar on federal law instead of a yes or no.¹⁶
Republican strategists told reporters they’re using the same tactics against Spanberger that destroyed Harris – and it’s working because she’s giving them the same material to work with.¹⁷
The race has tightened dramatically in recent weeks. Spanberger’s early double-digit lead has shrunk as Earle-Sears hammers her for refusing to take firm stances on issues Virginia families care about.¹⁸
Political observers pointed out that Spanberger’s handling of controversial questions shows exactly the kind of weakness that sank Harris. Voters want leaders who will give them straight answers, not politicians who hide behind bureaucratic double-talk.¹⁹
Earle-Sears capitalized on the moment, releasing ads that showcase Spanberger’s evasions while contrasting them with her own direct positions on protecting children and empowering parents.²⁰
Look, this comes down to a fundamental question about leadership. When a candidate won’t say whether she supports someone who joked about murdering children, or whether she thinks boys belong in girls’ locker rooms, voters notice.
The Democrats’ problem isn’t just that Spanberger gave bad answers. It’s that she proved she can’t be trusted to make tough calls on issues that matter to families. Just like Kamala Harris before her, Spanberger thinks talking in circles makes her sound thoughtful instead of evasive.
Virginia voters are about to teach Democrats the same lesson they learned nationally – Americans are done with politicians who won’t give them straight answers.
¹ LifeZette News Staff, "VA Dem Candidate Spanberger Delivers a Word Salad That Would Make Kamala Jealous," LifeZette, October 14, 2025.
² Chris Stirewalt, "New poll shows Abigail Spanberger with a double-digit lead in Virginia’s governor race," WTOP News, October 7, 2025.
³ Amanda Macias, "Spanberger quiet on twin controversies in final stretch of Virginia race," Fox News, October 12, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ Gregory Krieg, "Takeaways from the only debate in the Virginia governor’s race," CNN Politics, October 9, 2025.
⁶ LifeZette News Staff, "VA Dem Candidate Spanberger Delivers a Word Salad That Would Make Kamala Jealous," LifeZette, October 14, 2025.
⁷ Ibid.
⁸ Ibid.
⁹ Ibid.
¹⁰ Ibid.
¹¹ Ibid.
¹² Ibid.
¹³ Benjamin Wallace-Wells, "Republicans replicate their anti-Harris tactics against Spanberger and Sherrill," Semafor, September 26, 2025.
¹⁴ Ibid.
¹⁵ Ibid.
¹⁶ Katherine Hamilton, "Spanberger Delivers ‘Word Salad’ When Asked About Girls’ Locker Rooms," Breitbart, October 14, 2025.
¹⁷ Benjamin Wallace-Wells, "Republicans replicate their anti-Harris tactics against Spanberger and Sherrill," Semafor, September 26, 2025.
¹⁸ Chris Stirewalt, "New poll shows Abigail Spanberger with a double-digit lead in Virginia’s governor race," WTOP News, October 7, 2025.
¹⁹ Gregory Krieg, "Takeaways from the only debate in the Virginia governor’s race," CNN Politics, October 9, 2025.
²⁰ Amanda Macias, "Spanberger quiet on twin controversies in final stretch of Virginia race," Fox News, October 12, 2025.
