Wahala dey for Virginia as Governor Abigail Spanberger approval rating don begin drop just four months after she enter office. According to Washington Post poll, 47% of Virginians approve of her work, while 46% disapprove. This one na sharp contrast to her predecessor, Governor Glenn Youngkin, wey get 54-39 approval rating for this same period.
Michael LaRosa, wey be former top aide to First Lady Jill Biden, don fire serious shot for Spanberger. He yarn say the governor dey follow “old 1990s ‘don’t give it oxygen’ playbook” wey dem prescribe for President Joe Biden throughout his four years. LaRosa accuse Spanberger of ducking and covering instead of confronting attacks from GOP.
“She came in with a mandate and genuine goodwill, and within months, the GOP succeeded in branding her a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” LaRosa talk. He add say ignoring “attacks, smears and misinformation” no make dem disappear but instead create vacuum for opponents to define her.
The former Biden aide suggest say Spanberger need to channel the “badass, confrontational Abby Spanberger” from November 2020 caucus call. He talk make she hold regular pressers, get combative with reporters, and accept interviews with mainstream media. “She has to show and tell and climb out of the Biden bunker,” LaRosa conclude.
Meanwhile, former Governor George Allen don offer to debate Spanberger virtually on redistricting matter. Allen, son of Washington Redskins icon George H. Allen, say Spanberger decline his invitation for in-person debate, citing busy schedule and pile of bills to review.
Allen respond with letter wey say he understand her experience and instead want debate virtually but televised for one hour. He propose any time and date with moderator of her choosing before April 21 election. “All of this is a bit confusing; it’s unusual, and it helps the people to hear both sides of it,” Allen talk on Richmond’s WRVA radio.
The redistricting referendum dey cause serious kasala for Virginia. Some people dey call am gerrymandering, and poll show voters dey closely divided. Washington Post-Schar School poll find 50% approve of the amendment to give Virginia’s Democrat-controlled legislature power to draw congressional districts, while 47% disapprove.
For affordability matters, poll show 41% of voters believe Spanberger’s policies go make Virginia less affordable, while 31% say dem go make state more affordable. This one contrast with Spanberger’s campaign and early governing agenda wey focus on lowering costs for housing, healthcare and energy.
Despite the overall affordability concerns, individual policies dey get better responses. About 51% of voters say requiring electric utilities to help low-income customers improve home energy efficiency go make Virginia more affordable. Another 46% say raising minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028 go have same effect.
Spanberger office no respond immediately to request for comment. Fox News Digital reporter confront the tight-lipped governor in Richmond this week, but she briskly avoid the encounter. The governor don sign legislation targeting prescription drug costs, housing supply and certain energy-related expenses recently.
Political analysts dey watch the situation closely as early voting reports indicate strong turnout in Republican areas of state. The early vote dey outpace early voting in last year’s gubernatorial election. With April 21 election dey approach, all eyes dey on Virginia to see how this political drama go end.
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