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4d ago

Virginia Governor’s Race Deadlocked Over Debate Forums

The campaigns’ split over CNN versus local broadcasters has left voters without a head-to-head debate before early voting begins.

Winsome Earle-Sears, left, and Abigail Spanberge.
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Overview

  • Earle-Sears accepted CNN’s invitation to a live town-hall style debate with voter questions in late September or early October.
  • Spanberger declined CNN’s offer to prioritize debates produced by Virginia broadcasters and maintained her commitment to the AARP Virginia People’s Debate, which was canceled after Earle-Sears declined its Sept. 16 date.
  • No head-to-head debate is currently scheduled, and organizers say they await Spanberger’s response to CNN as early voting opens Sept. 19.
  • Decision Desk HQ polling averages show Spanberger leading with 45% support to Earle-Sears’s 36%, and she has outraised her rival this quarter.
  • Both campaigns frame their debate choices as strategic outreach efforts, a standoff watched nationally as a potential bellwether for the 2026 midterms.