Virginia‘s political climate is intensifying as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears calls out Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger for remaining silent on Loudoun County’s controversial transgender policies.
The latest friction comes after the Loudoun County School Board voted Tuesday night to reject the United States Department of Education’s demands to change its policies allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity.
Earle-Sears sharply criticized Spanberger on social media, accusing her of supporting the radical policies.
In a post on X, Earle-Sears claimed Spanberger backs the decision to allow “boys in girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms,” urging the congresswoman to reject the “insanity” and stand with Virginia’s parents and daughters.
“Abigail Spanberger supports the radical Loudoun School Board’s push to allow boys in girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. If she cared about Virginia’s parents or daughters, she’d reject this insanity and the extremists endangering our kids,” she said.
Abigail Spanberger supports the radical Loudoun School Board’s push to allow boys in girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms.
If she cared about Virginia’s parents or daughters, she’d reject this insanity and the extremists endangering our kids. pic.twitter.com/UCGDCNzPE2
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) August 13, 2025
Earle-Sears also aired a new ad, targeting Spanberger’s stance on the issue, stating, “Think Spanberger’s a centrist? Think again. She’s all-in on boys in girls’ sports and men in women’s locker rooms.”
The Loudoun County School Board, after holding a closed-session meeting, voted 6-3 to keep its existing policies despite the Department of Education’s directive that they violate Title IX. The Department had given the county a clear ultimatum: change its gender identity policies or risk losing federal funding.
The school policy issue has become a flashpoint in the Virginia governor’s race.
The growing divide was further highlighted in the run-up to the election as the Virginia Police Benevolent Association endorsed Spanberger for governor, lauding her efforts to increase funding for local police departments.
However, her opponent, Earle-Sears, remains critical of Spanberger’s position, accusing her of being “anti-police” and undermining Second Amendment rights.
Earle-Sears, on the other hand, secured the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, further solidifying her stance on gun rights.
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As the school board stands firm on its transgender policies, the fight could become one of the defining issues of the upcoming gubernatorial election.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Spanberger campaign for comment.