Times Opinion convened a panel
of voters to assess the
candidates for the Nov. 4 election.
Oct. 24, 2025
On a scale from 0-10, we asked panelists to rate each candidate’s potential to be a great governor of Virginia.
Virginia will elect its first female governor on Nov. 4, when voters choose between Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who served three terms in Congress and a former C.I.A. employee, and Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Republican lieutenant governor and a Marine Corps veteran. Virginia’s off-cycle governor elections serve as a window into how voters are responding to a new administration, and in that respect, Ms. Earle-Sears will be fighting history: Only once since the 1970s have Virginians elected a governor from the same party as the president.
In the latest version of The Choice, Times Opinion convened a panel of nine people with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise — a former lieutenant governor and a laid-off federal worker; a small business owner and a postgraduate student — to assess the candidates’ potential to handle the issues Virginians face. President Trump’s role was a central focus of the discussion, but so was the economy and job loss in a state where thousands of federal workers have been fired. Sharp disagreements emerged over who would best enhance Virginia’s standing as a pro-business state and address the rights of transgender students in schools.
Ms. Spanberger has maintained a snug lead within the polls, and that benefit was mirrored within the assessments of our panelists, eight of whom favored her over Ms. Earle-Sears. They preferred what they described as Ms. Spanberger’s reasonable method, and believed that she would work with the Trump administration as vital whereas additionally defending Virginians’ rights. Ms. Earle-Sears’s supporters praised what they referred to as her business-friendly method, and stated she would have a smoother relationship with the White Home. However even they faulted a marketing campaign that they stated supplied little in the way in which of imaginative and prescient or creativity.
The Alternative was ready by Instances Opinion editors utilizing a quick questionnaire and a round-table dialogue with all of the panelists in late September, supplemented by particular person conversations. The fabric has been edited for size and readability.
Sally Hudson Economist and former Democratic House delegate
The price of dwelling tops my checklist of priorities. Quite a lot of politicians prefer to pay lip service to affordability on the marketing campaign path, however making progress would require focus.
The enterprise setting and affordability are tightly linked as a result of main employers need to settle in states that may entice and retain a robust work power — the place folks can afford to stay the place they work. I do know generally it looks like the federal authorities is the ocean and the governor is simply using the waves. However there actually is loads the governor can do to foster a robust enterprise local weather right here at residence. Richmond can play a task in addressing native rules that drive up the price of dwelling.Abigail Spanberger additionally has a transparent set of plans for work power growth and fostering innovation, to spend money on the infrastructure and establishments that drive job creation: our faculties, analysis facilities, hospitals and cutting-edge industries.
Javion T. Peterson Student and former legislative aide
I’m supporting Spanberger, however her potential is restricted by the struggling U.S. financial system.
Bill Bolling Republican and former lieutenant governor
You need to be governor when the financial system is doing nicely. The following governor goes to face an financial system that’s not doing notably nicely. So the financial system is on the prime of the checklist. And the way the enterprise group is doing, how tax revenues are coming in — that controls and influences all the things else. I additionally need the subsequent governor to keep up a pro-business setting in Virginia. Winsome Sears, I believe, would take a extra pro-business method to coverage and financial growth, constructing on lots of the applications put in place by Governor Youngkin.
As well as, I believe Spanberger shall be pressured to alter Virginia’s right-to-work legislation and approve collective bargaining for state staff, each of which I consider would hurt Virginia’s standing as one of the crucial pro-business states within the nation.
Buz Grossberg Restaurant owner in Richmond
Job losses in Virginia and addressing what we are able to do about them is an enormous precedence, and the way we are able to save these jobs and these staff from a number of further hurt, like cuts to well being care. Sears wouldn’t be more practical at creating jobs and enhancing the financial system. She would proceed to comply with the playbook of Youngkin and Trump.
Charlie Nave Lawyer and Roanoke City G.O.P. Committee chair
Sears helps proper to work and can cooperate with Trump’s deportation efforts to open up blue-collar jobs and enhance wages for U.S. residents.
Adrian Mathura Former U.S.A.I.D. senior adviser
With tariffs and inflation, I’m unsure how the center class {and professional} class can maintain spending. However the Commonwealth already holds strong and rising company funding sectors, which Spanberger might steadiness together with her acknowledged want to make sure that firms pay their justifiable share and thereby profit the broader public and working-class voters.
Leslie Houston Educator and former union president
Spanberger’s method focuses on long-term, regular progress by investing in folks by means of job coaching, schooling and work power growth, so Virginians have the talents that companies want.
Bill Bolling Republican and former lieutenant governor
We’ve been very lucky in Virginia for a very long time beneath governors of each political events to have been acknowledged as one of the crucial pro-business states within the nation. However we’re going through challenges on two fronts. One is all the DOGE cuts and the affect that has on the federal work power. I additionally suppose we’re going to see the subsequent governor cope with income deficits. After which you need to make actually powerful choices about the way you spend cash.
Rhena Hicks Co-executive director of Freedom Virginia
Affordability is prime of thoughts, and I don’t see something exhibiting me how Sears would decrease the price of dwelling for me.
My utility invoice that comes within the mail each month, that was over $400 final month. Issues like that’s what voters are excited about — no less than what my household is considering once I consider the financial system. And so in search of governor candidates that speak on to that, I believe Abigail’s acquired a very sturdy plan.
Bill Bolling Republican and former lieutenant governor
Whether or not you want President Trump or not, you don’t want to create an enemy of the federal authorities. Should you do, it’s going to be a very, actually tough trip. If Spanberger is elected governor, I’d anticipate to see fixed warfare between her administration and the Trump administration over quite a few coverage points, together with immigration enforcement, academic coverage, environmental coverage and insurance policies concerning transgender college students.
Adrian Mathura Former U.S.A.I.D. senior adviser
I agree. It doesn’t serve us to have the subsequent governor battle the administration. I’d prefer to see Spanberger work on supporting the various federal or federal-adjacent folks in my group, supporting the financial system and supporting Virginia. However in instances the place our rights are in battle with federal authorities initiatives, she must act decisively to guard the folks of Virginia.
Buz Grossberg Restaurant owner in Richmond
I believe Sears will comply with the divisive MAGA agenda. Spanberger will work for Virginians to protect democracy.
Tom Sheets President of Blue Ridge Lumber
These two aren’t going to get alongside, as a result of he doesn’t get together with hardly anyone. That’s simply how it’s.
Rhena Hicks Co-executive director of Freedom Virginia
I might hope that she could be very nuanced in her relationship with Trump. I really like the fireplace and the eagerness that Gavin Newsom brings, however Virginia, geographically, we’re so intertwined with D.C., many individuals’s livelihoods rely on it, together with in different components of the state, not simply northern Virginia. I believe she would throw the gauntlet down when wanted, and work with him when it was useful to Virginia.
Leslie Houston Educator and former union president
It doesn’t take a lot to be an enemy of the federal authorities. Spanberger has a historical past of being pragmatic, and I hope that she’s going to stay that means. I want to see her take a agency and assertive stance in defending Virginia’s pursuits if they’re threatened.
Sally Hudson Economist and former Democratic House delegate
I believe if Winsome Earle-Sears is governor, the federal authorities will view it as an open invitation to meddle in our each establishment, from our faculties to our courts. We’re already seeing a few of that beneath Governor Youngkin. Virginians are savvy voters. They perceive the connection between native, state and federal authorities due to our proximity. We’re in search of a governor who’s going to guard Virginia. Abigail Spanberger can discover methods to work with Washington when it serves Virginians nicely, however she’s additionally proven she’s prepared to place Virginians first when our rights and establishments are beneath assault.
Buz Grossberg Restaurant owner in Richmond
We’re in a state of affairs the place standing again and utilizing the outdated guidelines could not apply as a result of there’s such an egregious affront in opposition to our Democratic rights. We could must push again greater than most individuals anticipate. We’re seeing the demise or demoralization of the democracy we love a lot, together with the rule of legislation. That’s one of many issues that basically, actually frustrates me and makes me scared, to be completely sincere.
Charlie Nave Lawyer and Roanoke City G.O.P. Committee chair
Winsome Sears and Donald Trump are from completely different factions throughout the Republican Occasion. They usually’re not in good alignment, however I believe they’re going to work nicely sufficient collectively for the great of the entire Commonwealth. I believe that Winsome Sears’s best alternative is to be a test in opposition to the legislature.
If there’s a Democrat majority within the Home of Delegates after Election Day, then she goes to be going through a reasonably partisan, excessive, in my opinion, Democrat Occasion. The factor I’d be in search of her to do essentially the most is to make use of that veto pen and hold it stuffed with ink.
Javion T. Peterson Student and former legislative aide
Abigail Spanberger would greatest deal with it. Due to her tenure in Congress throughout the earlier Trump presidency, she handled the chaos in D.C. and established relationships with congressional members from each events.
Rhena Hicks Co-executive director of Freedom Virginia
Above any of the problems on the marketing campaign path, schooling is the one which I hear Abigail Spanberger speak about essentially the most. And I do suppose it’ll be good to have a governor with youngsters in Virginia public faculties.
Usually, I’m the one informing buddies of all the things, because of the nature of my job. And I believe it’s actually attention-grabbing that recently, the mother group chats have been popping off about issues that I’m usually making an attempt to shake them into caring about — round income, curriculum, for instance. And I’ll say none of my group chats ever speak about transgender youngsters in bogs.
Leslie Houston Educator and former union president
In Fairfax County, they’re speaking about this loads. It’s an essential subject. Mother and father have each proper to really feel the way in which they do, and as a mum or dad myself, I perceive their considerations. I additionally suppose we are able to’t lose sight of points like faculty funding and fairness. Our faculties are being requested to do extra with much less. Our academics are overworked and underpaid.
Pay attention, there was a time once I was within the faculty system the place, as a trainer, earlier than faculty even began, I’d already spent $1,000 — and federally you possibly can solely write off, at the moment, $250 — to make sure that my college students had snacks and meals to eat as a result of youngsters can’t be taught in the event that they’re hungry.We’re fighting class sizes which might be too giant and a few college students who’re exhibiting behaviors we weren’t seeing earlier than the pandemic.
Charlie Nave Lawyer and Roanoke City G.O.P. Committee chair
Virginia has much more home-schooling than 4 years in the past. My very own youngsters are home-schooled, and we’ve seen a flood of extra folks coming into the home-school co-ops and getting interested by home-schooling as a result of their belief within the native public faculties has simply plummeted.
They see them specializing in not studying or writing, however all types of fads and developments. And we’ve all been seeing what’s occurring up in northern Virginia with transgender youngsters in locker rooms; this looks like a completely dead-to-rights subject. For crying out loud, how will you even give attention to doing this when the kids aren’t in a position to learn at grade stage?
Bill Bolling Republican and former lieutenant governor
The candidates are very completely different on these cultural points. Sears is pro-life. Spanberger is pro-choice. Sears has made the prohibition of transgender college students utilizing the identical restroom and locker room services as younger women a centerpiece of her marketing campaign. She would promote state insurance policies on these points. Then again, Spanberger has taken the place that problems with this nature must be handled on the native stage, not the state stage.
Tom Sheets President of Blue Ridge Lumber
On transgender points and abortion, each candidates would enchantment to their base, with Sears being too rigid on abortion. Spanberger could be extra open to compromise.
Charlie Nave Lawyer and Roanoke City G.O.P. Committee chair
Sears will deal with these higher as a result of she has a commonsense perspective on these points.
Rhena Hicks Co-executive director of Freedom Virginia
Abigail Spanberger for positive would deal with these points higher. She is competent, measured and trusts the consultants within the room. Whichever means the MAGA wind blows is the place Winsome Sears will take a hard-line stance.
Adrian Mathura Former U.S.A.I.D. senior adviser
I don’t suppose Spanberger has responded with sufficient conviction to Sears’s sturdy and overwhelmingly out-of-bounds assaults on transgender rights. For instance, she might have extra strongly stated that is merely a tradition struggle matter used to incite passions and fears. If Spanberger is unable to face sturdy in opposition to these fundamental civil rights points, she’s going to probably be ineffective in countering the onslaught of abuses underway by the present federal administration.
Sally Hudson Economist and former Democratic House delegate
Virginia’s governor has to respect the rights and dignity of all Virginians. While you begin with real respect for all of the folks you serve, it’s not arduous to deal with divisive points with ethical readability. Abigail Spanberger has that honest dedication to public service.
Javion T. Peterson Student and former legislative aide
Winsome Earle-Sears has demonstrated she doesn’t have the capability to deal with these advanced points — abortion and transgender rights — with the sensitivity vital.
Leslie Houston Educator and former union president
I’m voting for Abigail Spanberger as a result of, for my part, she is the lesser of two evils. I used to be a critic as a result of I felt like she was not addressing points throughout the Black group, however primarily based on this dialog, it appears she’s not reaching different communities both. I’m nervous about housing, about affordability, about homelessness. If we don’t discover a governor that has some sort of integrity and compassion — and no less than Abigail Spanberger seems to have some — then we shall be in bother.
Javion T. Peterson Student and former legislative aide
I would like the subsequent governor to have a way of collaboration.The price range wants the governor, the state home and the state senate all working collectively.
I would like the governor to have the ability to advocate for insurance policies and speak with the people who find themselves within the communities every single day doing the work. Abigail Spanberger is best suited to be a champion for the companies and the establishments and the folks doing the work. These are the folks which might be shaping the financial system.
Bill Bolling Republican and former lieutenant governor
Should you take heed to the tv adverts, you must oppose Winsome Earle-Sears as a result of she’s identical to Donald Trump. And should you take heed to different tv adverts, you must oppose Abigail Spanberger as a result of she desires to let organic males play feminine sports activities and use feminine locker rooms. That appears to be the general public message of each campaigns.
Now, should you go to their web sites and also you dig slightly bit, you will discover slightly little bit of coverage info in some locations, however there’s not a lot coverage info on the market. That ought to concern us all.
Tom Sheets President of Blue Ridge Lumber
I agree with Invoice — it’s detrimental adverts. We’ve all the time had an issue. No person’s telling us what they need to do for us, do for Virginia.
Sally Hudson Economist and former Democratic House delegate
There’s an outdated saying {that a} chief wants three bones: a wishbone to dream massive, a jawbone to talk up and a spine to face sturdy. I believe a frontrunner on this time wants the spine most of all.
Rhena Hicks Co-executive director of Freedom Virginia
We’d like a Virginian-first mentality proper now.
Charlie Nave Lawyer and Roanoke City G.O.P. Committee chair
We’d like a frontrunner who’s inspirational in order that we may be unified.
Buz Grossberg Restaurant owner in Richmond
Nicely, for me, we’d like a frontrunner that’s going to push arduous to comply with the rule of legislation. Right here within the state, in federal authorities, wherever it might be, it’s acquired to be honesty and integrity and following the rule of legislation, as a result of that’s what our nation was constructed on.
About our panel These nine local leaders assessed the candidates independently, as individual voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that information is disclosed in their biographies.
Bill Bolling is a former Republican lieutenant governor of Virginia who served from 2006 to 2014 under the governors Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell. He was a state senator for nearly 10 years and unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2012. Since 2014, he has taught government at George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Buz Grossberg is the owner of Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue in Richmond, which grew from a food cart he opened in 1992. He has hosted fund-raisers for Democratic and Republican candidates for local office over the years, and has donated to Abigail Spanberger.
Rhena Hicks is a co-executive director of Freedom Virginia, an advocacy nonprofit focused on affordability issues. She served as chief of staff to Kelly Convirs-Fowler, a Democratic member of the House of Delegates. She is also the executive director of the Democratic Business Alliance of South Hampton Roads.
Leslie Houston is a former president of the Fairfax Education Association, a union representing workers in the public school district, and a special education teacher. She also advocates measures that address inequality issues.
Sally Hudson is a former Democratic House delegate who represented Charlottesville for two terms until 2024. She is the founder of Ranked Choice Virginia, a voter education nonprofit. She is a labor economist and a fellow at the University of Virginia, where she previously taught public policy and economics. She has contributed $500 to Abigail Spanberger’s campaign.
Adrian Mathura is a former senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for International Development who lost his job during federal layoffs in July. His work involved overseeing anticorruption and financial planning in global health, including PEPFAR, the federal program for worldwide H.I.V. treatment and prevention. He is a lawyer and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Charlie Nave is a lawyer whose firm primarily represents nonprofits and fund-raising consultants, and the chair of the Roanoke City Republican Committee. He is the vice chair of the Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee. He ran unsuccessfully to represent Roanoke City in the House of Delegates in 2021.
Javion T. Peterson is a graduate student studying public administration at Virginia Commonwealth University and a former legislative aide to three Democratic House delegates. A former public school teacher, his research interests include education policy and civic engagement.
Tom Sheets is the president of Blue Ridge Lumber in the Shenandoah Valley. He has hosted political fund-raisers for elected Republican leaders and organized information sessions with Senator Mark Warner. He has been appointed by state leaders to serve on various boards representing business and cultural interests.
About our panel
These 9 native leaders assessed the candidates independently, as particular person voters, not on behalf of their organizations. Some panelists made donations to candidates; that info is disclosed of their biographies.
Bill Bolling is a former Republican lieutenant governor of Virginia who served from 2006 to 2014 under the governors Tim Kaine and Bob McDonnell. He was a state senator for nearly 10 years and unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2012. Since 2014, he has taught government at George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Buz Grossberg is the owner of Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue in Richmond, which grew from a food cart he opened in 1992. He has hosted fund-raisers for Democratic and Republican candidates for local office over the years, and has donated to Abigail Spanberger.
Rhena Hicks is a co-executive director of Freedom Virginia, an advocacy nonprofit focused on affordability issues. She served as chief of staff to Kelly Convirs-Fowler, a Democratic member of the House of Delegates. She is also the executive director of the Democratic Business Alliance of South Hampton Roads.
Leslie Houston is a former president of the Fairfax Education Association, a union representing workers in the public school district, and a special education teacher. She also advocates measures that address inequality issues.
Sally Hudson is a former Democratic House delegate who represented Charlottesville for two terms until 2024. She is the founder of Ranked Choice Virginia, a voter education nonprofit. She is a labor economist and a fellow at the University of Virginia, where she previously taught public policy and economics. She has contributed $500 to Abigail Spanberger’s campaign.
Adrian Mathura is a former senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for International Development who lost his job during federal layoffs in July. His work involved overseeing anticorruption and financial planning in global health, including PEPFAR, the federal program for worldwide H.I.V. treatment and prevention. He is a lawyer and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
Charlie Nave is a lawyer whose firm primarily represents nonprofits and fund-raising consultants, and the chair of the Roanoke City Republican Committee. He is the vice chair of the Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee. He ran unsuccessfully to represent Roanoke City in the House of Delegates in 2021.
Javion T. Peterson is a graduate student studying public administration at Virginia Commonwealth University and a former legislative aide to three Democratic House delegates. A former public school teacher, his research interests include education policy and civic engagement.
Tom Sheets is the president of Blue Ridge Lumber in the Shenandoah Valley. He has hosted political fund-raisers for elected Republican leaders and organized information sessions with Senator Mark Warner. He has been appointed by state leaders to serve on various boards representing business and cultural interests.
