Spanberger’s final Virginia campaign ad highlights record of service

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger is closing out her Virginia gubernatorial campaign with a Saturday advertisement that highlights her career of public service.

“Service is a tradition in Virginia that runs in the family,” the Democratic candidate says in her final ad. 

“I followed my parents into public service. My mom was a nurse, my dad worked in federal law enforcement, and I did too — going after drug rings and child abusers, and then at CIA, terrorists,” she adds in the voiceover.

Spanberger has maintained a solid lead over Republican opponent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who trailed the former House Democrat by 7 percentage points in a recent poll. 

The survey from Virginia Commonwealth University found that voters’ top three issues are the cost of living, immigration and women’s reproductive rights. 

The topic of abortion rights was a flashpoint throughout the race. Spanberger in a campaign ad highlighted previous comments made by Earle-Sears where she equated abortion with murder, while the lieutenant governor struck back during an early October debate, suggesting her opponent supported allowing babies to be "aborted on the table" after birth.

Former President Obama recently endorsed Spanberger, while President Trump has said Earle-Sears "should win" but has not officially endorsed her.

In Saturday’s ad, Spanberger closes by saying she’s “ready to serve again” and continue her “family’s tradition of service” in the Old Dominion State.