Spanberger highlights law enforcement experience in Virginia gov race ad

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s (D-Va.) gubernatorial campaign launched a new ad on Tuesday highlighting her background in law enforcement. 

The 30-second ad, which is narrated by Spanberger’s father, Martin Davis, will be broadcast in the Richmond and Norfolk media markets and statewide on digital platforms. The Hill was the first outlet to view the ad. 

Davis notes Spanberger’s background working as a federal agent investigating child predators, narcotics cases and arresting drug dealers, as well as her record as a CIA officer working on counterterrorism cases. 

“Service is something I was always talking about,” Davis, who is a career law enforcement officer and Army veteran, says in the ad. “And I guess Abigail was listening, and that’s how I know she’ll make a great governor.” 

Spanberger is seeking to flip Virginia’s governor’s mansion in the fall in a race that the nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated as “lean Democratic.” She will face off against Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) in November. 

A Roanoke College survey released in May showed Spanberger with a wide 43 percent to 26 percent lead over Earle-Sears, with 28 percent of voters saying they were undecided. However, another May poll released by the business group Virginia FREE showed Spanberger leading by 4 percentage points.

Spanberger also holds a fundraising lead over Earle-Sears. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Spanberger raised $6.5 million, while Earle-Sears brought in $3.5 million; Spanberger has more than $14 million in the bank, while Earle-Sears has just less than $3 million.