Democrats, GOP test their playbooks as Trump looms over elections in N.J., Va.

There’s a similar dance playing out in Virginia.

In an interview, Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears didn’t hide her support for Trump or his agenda, although she focused on the president’s position on public safety when asked. Her campaign declined to answer directly when asked whether she wanted Trump to campaign in Virginia.

“When you ask me about the president’s agenda, I am going to support his agenda when it comes to crime every single day,” Earle-Sears told the AP.

An Earle-Sears spokesperson sent a follow-up statement after the interview: “Everyone knows Winsome Earle-Sears is fiercely independent, but she also knows when strong leadership delivers results. Winsome isn’t afraid to say it — when Trump puts America first, Virginians win.” A spokesperson later told the AP that Earle-Sears would welcome Trump on the campaign trail in Virginia.

Still, Earle-Sears expressed frustration that her opponents paint her as overly aligned with the White House or too far-right for Virginia. She argued that her opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, hasn’t been tethered to former Democratic President Joe Biden the same way.

“Nobody talks about her connections with Biden,” she said.

The White House declined to answer questions about Trump’s plans in Virginia or New Jersey.

Democrats have challenges of their own

Spanberger and Sherrill are working to stay focused on voters’ economic concerns as costs surge and job growth stalls nationwide.

At the same time, Republicans are fighting to highlight the Democrats’ support for progressive cultural priorities — including LGBTQ rights — and the rise of far-left leaders such as New York City’s Democratic candidate for mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist.

Earle-Sears released an attack ad this week charging that Spanberger “is for they/them, not us,” while suggesting she supports policies that endanger children — an echo of Trump’s closing message last fall.

In a new ad of her own pushing back, Spanberger noted that she is a mother of three school-age children and a former law enforcement officer. When asked in an interview whether supporting transgender children is a priority, however, Spanberger offered a cautious answer.

“Protecting all people is a priority for me,” she said. “As governor, I will protect all children.”

Her focus on the economy, she said, reflects what she’s hearing from voters across Virginia. She invited Trump to visit the state to campaign with Earle-Sears.

“Let him come to Virginia and face the tens of thousands of people who he’s responsible for firing. Let him come to Virginia and answer for those Medicaid cuts,” she said.

In New Jersey, Sherrill has also tried to focus on economic concerns. Republicans have tried to link her to Mamdani, with Ciattarelli seizing on Sherrill’s past pledge to back the eventual Democratic nominee in the city.

Recently, however, the Democrat sought to distance herself from Mamdani. At an event this week unveiling her plan to freeze utility rates, Sherrill told reporters she won’t weigh in on the New York City election.

“I’m going to let the people of New York decide who their next mayor is going to be,” she said.