By Joseph A. Wulfsohn
August 14, 2025
Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., declined CNN’s invitation to hold a debate between herself and her GOP rival, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, for the commonwealth’s gubernatorial race.
CNN had invited both candidates for a debate to be held in late September or early October. Only Earle-Sears accepted the invitation.
According to her campaign, Spanberger wants only local outlets to host debates rather than national ones like CNN.