Virginia Governor’s Race Focuses on Local Concerns, Says Rep. Rob Wittman

By Charlie McCarthy | Tuesday, 04 November 2025 10:14 AM EST

Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., emphasized that the Virginia governor’s race is centered on local issues rather than national politics during an appearance on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America.” Speaking to co-hosts Marc Lotter and Sharla McBride, Wittman dismissed the notion that the contest reflects broader sentiments toward President Donald Trump.

“I would agree this is typical of Virginia races as they occur in an off cycle,” Wittman said. “Really, it’s about issues in Virginia. And listen, I believe it will be a lot closer than what people think.”

The congressman highlighted localized concerns such as crime, school policy, and economic challenges as key factors shaping voter decisions. He cautioned that polls may underestimate the race’s competitiveness, attributing this to the influence of turnout efforts. “There’s a lot of effort to make sure that voters turn out,” Wittman noted.

While acknowledging recent polls showing Democrat Abigail Spanberger widening her lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Wittman argued that these figures fail to capture on-the-ground realities. He stressed the importance of down-ballot races, including contests for attorney general and lieutenant governor, in determining outcomes. “It’s not just the governor’s race, but issues surrounding the attorney general’s race that I think will permeate to the governor’s race,” he said.

Wittman also criticized Democrat nominee Jay Jones for inflammatory remarks from 2022, in which Jones allegedly suggested a prominent Republican “get two bullets to the head.” The comments, which Jones later apologized for, were condemned by Wittman as “disqualifying” and evidence of the Democratic Party’s shift toward extremism. “Those words are absolutely unacceptable,” he said. “If you are not willing to say that this is disqualifying… one of those jobs is to protect children.”

Wittman urged Virginians to prioritize civic decency, warning against rewarding rhetoric that threatens public safety. “You cannot reward that sort of behavior,” he said.