PORTSMOUTH, Va. — As Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro trotted out to speak to voters Sunday at a community center in this city in southeastern Virginia, the crowd roared and clapped every time he referred to the person he was there to support: Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor.
His message wasn’t subtle. Shapiro, a prospective 2028 presidential candidate, lauded Spanberger as a “compassionate,” “caring” and “well-grounded person” who’d act as a “freedom fighter” — and whose leadership would help protect the state from President Donald Trump.
“She’s going to protect your fundamental freedoms. That’s where governors matter most. Because right now we’ve got a president of the United States who’s attacking the states, making it harder for you to get ahead, making stuff cost more and limiting your fundamental freedoms,” Shapiro said to loud applause and yells of support. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want the White House deciding what my freedoms are. I want to keep my freedoms. The best way to do that is with Abigail.”
Shapiro’s appearance on the campaign trail in Virginia nine days before Election Day made him just the latest big-name Democrat (and potential presidential candidate) to parachute into the blue-leaning state in hope of putting Spanberger over the top against her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came through the Old Dominion last week to appear with Spanberger, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear campaigned with her last month. Later this week, Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is set to drop by an event or two with Spanberger, while former President Barack Obama will headline a rally in Norfolk next weekend.
The growing crowd of Democratic names suggests how much the party feels is at stake in Virginia’s race for governor — one of only two this year (the other is in New Jersey) — as the party tries to chart a path after Trump’s 2024 victory.
At a pair of events Sunday, it was Shapiro, a fellow moderate, who took a turn to make the case for Spanberger. He touted her — and, more broadly, Democratic governors like himself (as well as New Jersey’s Democratic nominee, Mikie Sherrill, for whom he campaigned Saturday) — as the levers of power that are best equipped to fight Trump and the “chaos” he’s sowing in Washington, D.C., and that can protect personal freedoms like reproductive and voting rights and an affordable American Dream.
“This is our moment to capture freedom and capture light from the darkness that is coming from other areas. Now is a moment, Virginia, where the nation is watching you to see whether or not we’re going to give our kids a shot, whether or not we’re going to protect our fundamental freedoms,” he said. If voters give Spanberger a win, he added, “you’re going to send a clear message to this nation that we value freedom, we cherish our democracy, and we love this country.”
Spanberger, speaking after Shapiro in Portsmouth, echoed that message, blaming the government shutdown on Trump and Republicans and saying that and his Department of Government Efficiency’s firing of federal workers this year “attacks on Virginia and attacks on our economy.”
“We need a governor who will stand up and make clear the impacts of all of those bad efforts,” she said.
Spanberger has consistently led Earle-Sears in polling and fundraising throughout the campaign.
The raft of appearances by national and out-of-state Democratic surrogates alongside Spanberger, however, offers yet another apparent advantage for her over her Republican opponent.
At a rally Saturday night in nearby Chesapeake, Earle-Sears was joined by other Republicans on the November ballot, including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who held the office more than a decade ago, also came.
But no other national or out-of-state Republicans were there. And the Earle-Sears campaign repeatedly declined to name any who were confirmed or scheduled to campaign with her in the closing days of the race.
Only a small handful of Republicans have campaigned for her so far in Virginia.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., who is running for governor in his state, campaigned with Earle-Sears in June and headlined a fundraiser for her last week. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, attended a fundraiser this month, as well.
Trump has yet to offer a formal endorsement of Earle-Sears and has not campaigned with her.
Asked whether anyone was coming in to campaign with her down the homestretch in a brief interview with NBC News and other reporters Saturday after her event, Earle-Sears replied: “Haven’t you seen Byron Donalds? Haven’t you seen Ted Cruz? Do you know how many have already come and helped me?”