Debate Disruption: Winsome Earle-Sears interrupted Abigail Spanberger numerous times
Two female candidates debated for the Governor's position in Virginia.
Virginia’s only gubernatorial debate was on Thursday night, October 9, 2025, at Norfolk State University, between Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 46, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, 61. The 60-minute debate, which was televised statewide, was the only face-to-face encounter of the 2025 race for governor.
Disruption on Stage
For one hour, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger stood on stage, answering questions that matter to Virginians. What unfolded, however, was more than disagreement. It was disruption caused by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.
Beginning with the very first question and on numerous other occasions when the moderator asked Earle-Sears a question, she turned to Spanberger and began using her 60 seconds to pose her own questions to Spanberger, as seen in the above photo.
However, Spanberger continued to answer the moderators' questions instead of answering Earle-Sears' questions.
Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears repeatedly interrupted Spanberger, often speaking over her, even after moderators Deanna Albritton of WRIC and Tom Schaad of WAVY frequently asked her to stop. Earle-Sears' tone was combative, and her posture was dismissive.
The photo at the top of this article shows how Earle-Sears turned to the side, lecturing and begging Spanberger to respond to her questions. Witnesses concluded that Spanberger took the high road while Earle-Sears acted like a crazy, desperate person.
The Moderators
The moderators did their best to get Earle-Sears to refrain from interrupting Spanberger and talking over her. At first, it was a gentle warning, then it elevated to a more direct request, and finally to almost begging. However, Earle-Sears' behavior remained the same throughout the hour-long debate. The moderators probably had more questions to ask, but precious time was lost because of the disruption.
Throughout the entire debate, it became the "Winsome Earle-Sears" show because she took center stage, whether it was her turn to answer her own questions or not.
Earle-Sears' Behavior
Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears' behavior was witnessed by a live audience of students, invited guests, television viewers, and captured by news outlets, such as CNN, Politico, and Virginia Mercury. They witnessed a debate marked by tension, disruption, and a stark contrast in demeanor by someone who wants to become the first female governor of Virginia.
Anyone who watched the debate in person or on television couldn't help but notice Earle-Seals' unprofessional and rude behavior.
- At nearly every turn, she interrupted Spanberger.
- She used her time not answering her own questions by turning to Spanberger and posing questions to her as if she was the moderator.
- She repeatedly called Spanberger a liar.
- She did not allow her opponent to finish her closing remarks without interrupting her.
The moderator asked the two women what they admired about the other. Spanberger praised Earle-Sears' faith and her service in prison ministry.
Earle-Sears responded by calling Spanberger "a devoted mom" and "a daughter who loves her parents very much." She made a point not to mention any political act that Spanberger had accomplished.
Political analyst David Richards, a professor at the University of Lynchburg, said Earle-Sears' behavior that dominated the night was to her own detriment.
He explained:
"Earle-Sears was not doing herself any favors tonight. Her constant interruptions seemed desperate and frankly unbecoming. She played the Jay Jones card over and over, which got old."
He added:
"Spanberger held her own and came off as much more polished and capable, if not a little cold. Earle-Sears often came across as slightly unhinged."
Richards said what everyone saw and heard:
"The hosts tried to keep them on target, but were ineffective. This debate probably didn't change too many people's minds."
At the time of the debate, polls showed Spanberger was 10 points ahead of Earle-Sears. Comments online indicate that Spanberger was more polished and professional than her opponent.
Virginia's First Female Governor
No matter what happened during the only debate, Virginians will elect the first female governor in November. Either it will be Republican Winsome Earle-Sears or Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
Author's Note
This article deliberately did not include personal views of the candidates and how they stand on issues that concern Virginians. The focus was intentionally only on the unbelievable behavior during the debate.
About the Creator
Margaret Minnicks
Margaret Minnicks has a bachelor's degree in English. She is an ordained minister with two master's degrees in theology and Christian education. She has been an online writer for over 15 years. Thanks for reading and sending TIPS her way.
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By Dumping Tonnes of Sand Into the Ocean for 12 Years, China Has Created Brand-New Islands From Scratch
Over the past twelve years, China has quietly carried out one of the most ambitious and controversial engineering projects in modern history: the creation of entirely new islands by dumping millions of tonnes of sand into the ocean. What began as small-scale land reclamation has evolved into a sweeping transformation of the South China Sea, reshaping geography, geopolitics, and international relations. How Artificial Islands Are Created The process behind these artificial islands is deceptively simple but technically complex. Specialized dredging ships extract sand from the seabed and pump it onto shallow reefs and submerged rocks. Over time, layer upon layer of sand is deposited, gradually rising above sea level. Once land emerges, it is reinforced with concrete, rock barriers, and infrastructure to prevent erosion. China has used this method extensively, particularly on disputed reefs and shoals. What were once barely visible features at low tide have become full-fledged islands, complete with runways, ports, radar systems, and buildings. Why the South China Sea Matters The South China Sea is one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. An estimated one-third of global maritime trade passes through it each year, carrying trillions of dollars’ worth of goods. The region is also believed to hold vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and rich fishing grounds. Multiple countries — including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan — claim parts of the sea. China, however, asserts sweeping sovereignty over most of it, marked by its controversial “nine-dash line.” The creation of artificial islands has strengthened China’s physical presence and reinforced its territorial claims. From Sandbars to Strategic Strongholds What makes China’s island-building campaign particularly significant is how quickly reclaimed land has been militarized. Satellite imagery and independent analyses show airstrips long enough to handle military aircraft, deep-water harbors capable of hosting naval vessels, and advanced surveillance systems. These installations allow China to project power far beyond its mainland coast, extending its reach across Southeast Asia. Critics argue that these islands act as unsinkable aircraft carriers, altering the balance of power in the region. Environmental Consequences Beneath the Surface While the geopolitical implications are widely debated, the environmental cost is equally alarming. The dredging process destroys coral reefs, which are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Sediment clouds generated during sand dumping smother marine life, disrupt fish breeding grounds, and permanently alter underwater landscapes. Marine scientists warn that damage to coral reefs can take decades — if it recovers at all. For coastal communities that rely on fishing, these changes threaten livelihoods and food security. International Law and Global Pushback China’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from the international community. In 2016, an international tribunal ruled that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis under international law. The ruling also stated that artificial islands do not generate territorial waters or exclusive economic zones. China rejected the decision, calling it invalid and continuing its construction activities. Meanwhile, other nations have responded with diplomatic protests and increased naval patrols, including freedom-of-navigation operations by the United States and its allies. A New Kind of Territorial Expansion Historically, empires expanded by conquering land. China’s island-building represents a new model: creating territory where none existed before. This approach blurs the line between engineering achievement and strategic maneuvering, raising difficult questions about how international law should adapt to technological capabilities. If artificial islands become widely accepted as legitimate territory, it could set a precedent for other nations to reshape oceans for strategic advantage. The Broader Global Implications Beyond Asia, China’s actions have sparked global debate about maritime governance, environmental responsibility, and the future of territorial disputes. Smaller nations fear being sidelined, while major powers worry about the erosion of established international norms. At the same time, the sheer scale of the project highlights China’s engineering capacity and long-term planning. Turning submerged reefs into permanent landmass within just over a decade is a feat few countries could replicate. Conclusion: Engineering the Future of Power By dumping tonnes of sand into the ocean for over a decade, China has not merely created islands — it has reshaped the strategic landscape of an entire region. These artificial islands stand as symbols of ambition, controversy, and a shifting world order. As technology continues to expand what is physically possible, the challenge for the global community will be ensuring that innovation does not come at the cost of environmental destruction, regional stability, and international law. The islands may be made of sand, but their impact is anything but fragile.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi6 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (1)
She is rude and not professional.