Hill watchdog labels Spanberger’s record as a “Democratic Socialist”

A new legislative watchdog created to expose liberals posing as moderates has called Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger out as “Democratic Socialists” with a voting history that aligns her with members of House “squads” on the left.

The former House member, who has portrayed herself in the race as a centrist Democrat, today shared with Washington Secrets a report that placed her at the extreme Left. She voted to increase spending and reduce penalties for violent crimes.

The advocacy group, a newly formed arm of the Institute for Legislative Analysis, compared Spanberger with other House Democrats, and found that some of her votes were to the left, even of progressives such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D, NY).

The report card stated that “a vote record analysis performed by the Institute for Legislative Analysis – the most comprehensive analysis ever done on the U.S. Congress – reveals that this lawmaker has ‘Democratic Socialists’ views, with an ideological score of 13.75 out of 100 points.”

Watch: Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger refused to answer my questions on whether she supports biological males competing in women’s sport and using female bathrooms and locker rooms. pic.twitter.com/Ie9M71YjOw

Nick Minock
September 19, 2025

Spanberger was a member of Congress between 2019 and 2025. She has been Virginia’s Lt. Governor. Winsome Earle Sears, a Republican candidate, won the election in off-year.

In her campaign, she has emphasized her experience at the CIA. She has described herself as an advocate of bipartisanship within the House.

BRAND NEW COMMERCIAL: When the Left incites rage, people are hurt and everything burns.

Virginia is a place for lovers, not rage. Vote for it to stay that way. pic.twitter.com/UO39sYlo9U

Winsome Earle Sears (@winwithwinsome).
September 29, 2025

Earle-Sears used ads to portray Spanberger, a Democrat, as a Liberal Supporter for the woke agenda. The ads also portrayed Spanberger in support of public school policies that are transgender. The media covering the election hasn’t been able to nail down her political views.

Spanberger has retaliated by painting Earle-Sears in a right-wing light. She says in her ads that Earle-Sears is “so far right, she’s not the best candidate for Virginia.”

Under the Trump-@winwithwinsome economy, Virginians pay more, so billionaires can pay less. It’s not right. pic.twitter.com/vaV6FNRaJ6

— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerForVA)
September 23, 2025

The Institute’s political arm aims to shed light on past liberal voting records of candidates, with Spanberger as its first target.