CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Now just two weeks out from Election Day, Virginia’s political spotlight is on Charlottesville, with Democratic nominee for Governor Abigail Spanberger hosting a rally on the downtown mall Tuesday night.
In a race that has already drawn significant national attention, Spanberger brought in two nationally known names: former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, as well as Bill Nye the Science Guy. The two joined the stage to emphasize the stakes of an election they say could be a significant turning point for the nation.
“Are you ready to win?” Spanberger called out to a cheering crowd of roughly 1,300 people. “Are you ready to send a message to the rest of the country and the world about what it is we do here in Virginia when given the opportunity to cast our ballots?”
Buttigieg, also a former Democratic presidential candidate, called Virginia’s gubernatorial race a chance to fight back against the “consolidation of power” and “corruption” in Washington, D.C.
“Virginia is pretty much the center of the political universe right now,” Buttigieg said. “This election, which is of course so important for the Commonwealth, is also so important for the country.”
Nye, who stepped out on stage to an audience chanting “Bill!” agreed, stating that “this vote is going to change the world.”
“Abigail Spanberger is the real deal,” Nye said. “That’s why I am fired up.”
Spanberger is facing off against Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears, who currently serves as Lieutenant Governor. As only of only two states – including New Jersey – to vote in the year after a presidential election, the race is seen as a referendum on the White House, one that Democrats are hoping can inspire momentum in next year’s midterms.
“Virginians can not only elect the leaders that you deserve, but also send a powerful message about what we all expect from our leaders,” Buttigieg said, “and that is a message that will be heard around this country.”
Spanberger’s policy focus Tuesday night was strengthening public schools, lowering healthcare and energy costs, and bolstering the Commonwealth’s economy.
She also took the moment to condemn the Trump administration’s deep cuts to the federal workforce.
“These are attacks on Virginians and our economy, and we need a governor who will stand up against them,” Spanberger said.
The latest polling from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Wilder School shows Spanberger’s lead over Sears thinning from 9% in August to 7% now.
In addition, Republican nominee for Attorney General and incumbent Jason Miyares now leads Democratic nominee Jay Jones by 3%. The switch-up comes after the release of text messages that Jones sent in 2022, depicting violence against then-Speaker of the Virginia House Todd Gilbert and his family.
The texts that have rocked the Democratic ticket were not mentioned at Tuesday’s rally, but the urgency to vote was.
“What we will do this November is not just vote against something, but we will vote for,” Spanberger said.
On Saturday, October 25, Spanberger will initiate her 11-day, 40-stop “Virginia Votes Bus Tour” leading up to the election. On Saturday, November 1, she’ll be campaigning in Norfolk with former President Barack Obama.
Sears will be hosting a meet-and-greet in Charlottesville on October 29.
29News reached out to a spokesperson for Sears’ campaign to get a statement on Tuesday’s rally, but has not heard back.
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