By Michael Katz | Friday, 31 October 2025 06:01 PM EDT
Democratic Virginia gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger stated that if elected Tuesday, she would refuse to collaborate with President Donald Trump. Speaking to “PBS NewsHour” on Thursday, Spanberger criticized Trump for what she described as an “attack on the federal workforce,” citing efforts by the Trump administration to reduce perceived government inefficiencies and the recent partial shutdown that left many federal employees unpaid.
When asked by PBS reporter Liz Landers if she would work with Trump on issues like job creation, Spanberger responded, “You don’t work with the arsonist who burns down the house to rebuild it.” The seventh congressional district representative from 2019 to 2025 argued that Trump was unfit to lead Virginia’s economic recovery.
Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears accused Spanberger of harboring “hatred” for Trump, claiming it disqualified her from leadership. “When your hatred for President Trump outweighs your love for Virginians… you’re not fit for office,” Earle-Sears wrote on X. She also emphasized her willingness to collaborate with anyone to strengthen the state’s economy.
Polling data indicates Spanberger leads by 7.4 percentage points ahead of Tuesday’s election, according to the RealClearPolitics average. A recent InsiderAdvantage/Trafalgar Group poll showed her up by 4 points, within the margin of error.
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with over 30 years of experience covering news, culture, and politics.
