Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) said the “safety” of Virginia residents is on the ballot this November, citing a recent pledge from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.
In a post on X, Youngkin referenced Spanberger’s comments to the Virginia Mercury in which she said she would rescind Youngkin’s Executive Order 47 as governor. Youngkin issued the order on Feb. 28, directing state police to cooperate with federal authorities in deporting “criminal illegal aliens.”
Spanberger said she believes immigration enforcement should be handled by federal law enforcement, calling the use of local police and sheriffs on this endeavor “a misuse” of resources.
“In her very first act as governor, @SpanbergerForVA promises to turn Virginia into a sanctuary state for dangerous illegal immigrants. @winwithwinsome promises to keep dangerous criminals off our streets. Could the choice be any more clear, Virginia Your safety is on the ballot this November,” Youngkin wrote on X.
Youngkin is not seeking reelection this November, as Virginia’s Constitution forbids governors from serving consecutive terms. He endorsed Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as his successor in November, and appeared in a new ad from her campaign Tuesday.
NEW AD: Together, Gov. @GlennYoungkin and I put parents first and built a stronger economy. We kept our word. Don’t let a Washington insider drag Virginia backwards. pic.twitter.com/CJdA2iiZhI
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) August 26, 2025
Earle-Sears also targeted Spanberger over her campaign promise on X, saying Spanberger voted against the Laken Riley Act in 2024. The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student who was killed by an illegal immigrant, became the first piece of legislation President Donald Trump signed into law in his second term on Jan. 29.
Spanberger is leading Earle-Sears in a new co/efficient poll by 5%, putting her ahead of the poll’s margin of error of 3.1%. A Roanoke College Poll last week put Spanberger ahead by 7%.
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The Virginia gubernatorial election received nationwide attention after a protester at an event opposing Earle-Sears displayed a sign reading, “Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then blacks can’t share my water fountain.” Earle-Sears is of Jamaican descent.
Both gubernatorial candidates condemned the sign, with other lawmakers in Virginia and across the nation speaking out against it.
