What’s at stake when Spanberger, Earle-Sears debate?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With about 75 days until Election Day in Virginia, we now know there will be a gubernatorial debate this election cycle. 

Both Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears agreed to participate in an October debate held by WAVY — 8News’ sister station — and Norfolk State University.

“One thing that they both are gonna have to do is really pay attention to what the issues are that voters seem to want to hear more about. And that has always, in a gubernatorial race, is going to be the Virginia economy,” Virginia Tech Political Science Professor Karen Hult told 8News. 

Hult said that as the perceived frontrunner, Spanberger’s top priority should be trying to avoid making a mistake. That is what happened to Terry McAuliffe in a 2021 debate against now Governor Glenn Youngkin, Hult added.

“On the one hand, don’t appear unwilling to engage, do respond to questions, at the same time, any risk of a potential soundbite that gets spun a different way may hurt her in the polls and will be captured then by the other side that can say, ‘look at what she really thinks,’” Hult explained. 

Meanwhile, Hult said Earle-Sears should focus on trying to tie herself to Governor Youngkin, while also avoiding any references to President Donald Trump.

“Lieutenant Governor Sears has a chance to reintroduce herself to the public and then basically say, ‘I have a view of keeping Virginia on the positive track it’s been on, and I’m going to show you that I have the capabilities to do that,’” Hult said.

The debate will take place on October 9 and start at 7 p.m.