The poll, which surveyed 702 Virginia residents from August 11 to August 15, 2025, found Spanberger leading Earle-Sears by seven points (46 percent to 39 percent), a narrower margin than the 17-point lead Spanberger held in the May poll (43 percent to 26 percent).

Sears agreed to participate in an October debate held by WAVY and Norfolk State University. “One thing that they both are gonna have to do is really pay attention to what the issues are that voters seem to want to hear more about.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears accepted their invitations to participate in the Oct. 9 statewide gubernatorial debate hosted by WAVY-10 and Norfolk State University.