10/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2025 16:19
Both New Jersey Democratic candidate Mikie Sherrill and Virginia Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger handily won their debates this week. Sherrill and Spanberger focused relentlessly on their plans to lower costs for working families and make their states more affordable.
In stark contrast, their opponents defended Donald Trump and proved they are too extreme to ever be governor. In New Jersey, Jack Ciattarelli gave Trump an "A" grade, despite Trump's Big Ugly Bill causing 390,000 New Jerseyans to lose their health insurance. And in Virginia, Winsome Earle-Sears said banning same-sex marriage and firing LGBTQ+ people is "not discrimination" and doubled down on her support for an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Here's what people are saying following this week's New Jersey and Virginia debates:
In New Jersey
NBC News: 'Shame on you': Mikie Sherrill, Jack Ciattarelli spar in final debate of New Jersey governor's race
[Bridget Bowman, 10/8/25]
Key Point: "Sherrill criticized Trump administration policies, saying that they will drive up costs and that she would join a lawsuit challenging Trump's tariff policies on her first day in office.
"Sherrill also accused Ciattarelli of failing to stand up to Trump, including the administration's recent decision to freeze federal funds for a tunnel project connecting New York and New Jersey.
"'Jack won't say one cross word about the president, even when he froze Gateway tunnel funding,' Sherrill said."
NJ 1015: Bombshell moment in the NJ race for governor
[Eric Scott, 10/9/25]
Key Point: "The bombshell allegation that linked Republican Jack Ciattarelli to tens of thousands of opioid deaths took a snoozer of a debate into a bare-knuckled brawl.
"Mikie Sherrill's bomb had Ciattarelli visibly angry and rattled him for the remainder of the face-off.
"It was Mikie's 'Shame on you' moment. She made the most of it. Jack was caught flat footed and ill-prepared. That, folks, may be the election."
Senator Cory Booker: "Mikie is ready to fight for New Jersey."
Senator Andy Kim: "New Jersey, our choice this November is clear.
"@MikieSherrill has dedicated her life to serving others, and I've personally seen her only ever put the people of our state first. She won't back down from the fight against federal chaos. That's the principled leadership we need in this moment.
"On the other hand, Jack Ciattarelli only serves one person: Donald Trump. Whenever he's given the chance, Jack is clear that he'll be less of a Governor fighting for our families and more of a doormat for the President to walk over and hurt our state.
"We deserve better than the doormat. With just four weeks left in this race, let's knock on doors, make some calls, and show up to elect Mikie Sherrill as our next Governor."
Jessica Mackler: "Only one candidate on tonight's debate stage has a plan to lower costs for New Jerseyans, and it's @MikieSherrill. She'll stand up to anyone in order to make NJ more affordable and protect her state's rights and freedoms, especially Donald Trump. The choice is clear"
Kevin Donahue: "I have never seen a debate like that. Jack literally melted down on stage when confronted about his role in the opioid crisis. He gave the Trump presidency an A. And he said nothing about lowering costs.
"Mikie dominated."
Michael Embrich: "Mikie Sherrill came to win Jack Ciattarelli came to whine Mikie had the plan, the poise, and the facts - Jack had excuses. Jersey deserves better. #NJGov #SherrillStrong "
In Virginia
Washington Post: 8 takeaways from the Spanberger and Earle-Sears debate in Virginia
[Gregory S. Schneider and Erin Cox, 10/10/25]
Key Point: "Spanberger has led all year in both polling and fundraising and was up by 12 percentage points in a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll of Virginia voters. Some Republicans have criticized Earle-Sears's campaign as being low-key and disorganized.
"Though she has revamped her campaign staff, Earle-Sears was looking to make a mark Thursday night. Democrats said she went too far.
"Earle-Sears's performance 'was unhinged, it was unprofessional, it was uncalled-for, it was not the Virginia Way,' Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) told reporters."
Virginia Mercury: Spanberger, Earle-Sears clash over violence, abortion, and taxes in lone Va. governor's debate
[Marcus Schmidt, 10/9/25]
Key Point: "The debate also showcased the stark personal contrasts between the two women.
"Spanberger, 46, served three terms in Congress representing Virginia's 7th District before announcing last year she would run for governor.
"A former CIA operations officer, she built a reputation as a centrist focused on bipartisanship and pragmatic problem-solving. Her campaign has emphasized lowering costs, protecting abortion rights and investing in workforce training."
NBC 4 Washington: Earle-Sears, Spanberger present sharp contrasts in Virginia gubernatorial debate
[Julie Carey, 10/9/25]
Key Point: "Spanberger turned a question about the government shutdown into to a familiar campaign theme, accusing Earle-Sears of supporting President Donald Trump and not federal workers. She said she'd urge Democrats and Republicans in Congress to come together to end the shutdown.
"Earle-Sears refused to say whether the president should give ground, blaming Democrats."
LGBTQ Nation: GOP governor candidate shouts that firing people for being gay is "not discrimination"
[Alex Bollinger, 10/10/25]
Key Point: "Democrats denounced her debate performance. Earle-Sears' 'homophobic comments at last night's debate are disqualifying and prove once again how out of step she is with Virginians,' said DNC spokesperson Albert Fujii in a statement. 'Virginians deserve a leader who will ensure Virginia is welcoming and affordable to everyone - and that champion is Abigail Spanberger.'"
The Advocate: GOP candidate claims firing people for being gay 'is not discrimination' in Virginia governor's debate
[Christopher Wiggins, 10/10/25]
Key Point: Democratic National Committee spokesperson Albert Fujii released this statement: 'Winsome Earle-Sears is too extreme for Virginia. Her homophobic comments at last night's debate are disqualifying and prove once again how out of step she is with Virginians. Virginians deserve a leader who will ensure Virginia is welcoming and affordable to everyone - and that champion is Abigail Spanberger. The DNC will keep fighting tooth and nail to ensure Abigail Spanberger wins big in November - the stakes could not be higher.'"
Senator Tim Kaine: "My friend @SpanbergerForVA has-and always will-put Virginia first. She demonstrated once again tonight that she is the disciplined Governor Virginians need to lower costs and stand up against the Trump Administration's attacks on our workers and economy. The choice is clear."
Senator Mark Warner: "Virginia, we have the chance to prove that we're a better country than this-and it starts right here with our November elections. Let's get out and vote in record numbers for Abigail Spanberger and Democrats down the ballot."
Representative James Walkinshaw: "Whether you're a fired federal worker, a family facing skyrocketing health care costs, or a gay Virginian facing discrimination, it was clear tonight @SpanbergerForVA is the only candidate who will stand up for all Virginians as Governor."
State Senator Louise Lucas: "I am here at NSU listening to the debate and it's obvious Winsome Earle Sears took a page out of Donald Trump's debate playbook - interrupt, interrupt, interrupt - anything to avoid real answers or substance."
Jesse Ferguson: "How could you summarize VA Gov debate?
It was chaos versus calm
It was tantrum versus toughness
It was ranting versus results
It was bluster versus balance
It was anger versus answers
It was mayhem versus making life more affordable"
Barbara Comstock: "Abigail has earned the support of Police (who usually support Rs) firefighters, Dems, Independents and Republicans because she puts Virginia first. @WinsomeSears puts Trump first and still can't even get his endorsement."
Brad Kutner: "Lots of talk on here of Sears' on same-sex marriage, but "firing someone for being gay… that's not discrimination" really stood out to me. #valeg"
Sarah Longwell: "Winsome Earl-Sears is very strange. Republicans ran a lot of bizarre candidates just like her in 2022 and most were handily defeated in what should have been a strong cycle for Republicans."
Matt Corridoni: "Tonight @SpanbergerForVA talked about costs, jobs, and protecting healthcare.
@winwithwinsome, meanwhile, displayed unhinged behavior.
The contrast couldn't be more clear…
#VAGov"