Spanberger Balances Right to Work Stance in Virginia Governor Race

Experts Say Spanberger’s Attempt to Moderate on Right to Work Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test

Spanberger tries to peg to the center on labor policy, but her record and potential political pressures tell a different story

Published September 21, 2025

The Democratic nominee in the Virginia Governor’s race, Abigail Spanberger, is trying to stake out the middle road on labor policies such as right to work, but experts say that her record and internal political pressures will steer her to the left.

Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger, previously said that she does not support a “full repeal” of the state’s Right to Work policy.

“I support labor. I support our strong Virginia economy, but no, I don’t support a full repeal of our current right-to-work statute,” Spanberger said. “Certainly, it’s an old statute. We’ve seen reforms and adjustments to it over the years. And recognizing that as Virginia, and our economy moves forward, reforms may be necessary into the future, but no, not a full repeal.”

Her record and internal political pressures paint a potentially different story of what she would do if she were to win the Governor’s seat, however. (RELATED: Spanberger Caught Up In Defamation Lawsuit Over January 6th Press Release)

All 6 Democrat candidates for Lt. Governor want to eliminate Virginia’s Right to Work – meaning you could be forced to join a union just to have a job.

And while in Congress, Abigail Spanberger supported laws that would force unionization.

So I’m gonna call this one early -… pic.twitter.com/5UcmDb89CX
— John Reid (@JohnReid4VA) May 9, 2025

While in Congress, Spanberger co-sponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO Act. The bill would have effectively repealed Right to Work in all 50 states.

In addition to her past record, she may face mounting pressure from legislative Democrats to repeal Right to Work completely.

Cardinal News sent a questionnaire to all fourteen Democratic House of Delegates candidates in target seats, of the eight that responded, all of them supported a full Right to Work repeal.

Spanberger’s opponent has made Spanberger’s murky record on the issue a focal point of her campaign, with a spokesperson accusing her of “hiding her record”. (RELATED: Virginia Is Running a Surplus, So Why Is the Gas Tax Still High?)

“One of Abigail Spanberger’s final acts in Congress was co-sponsoring a bill to repeal right-to-work laws in all 50 states. Now she’s hiding that record and hoping Virginians won’t notice,” said Peyton Vogel, a spokeswoman for Earle-Sears.