Virginia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger was criticized for comments made in a video posted to social media, calling for supporters to let their “rage fuel” them.

In the video, shared by Virginia Lt. Gov. and Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger shared a “story about once complaining about politics in front of her mother,” who advised her to “let your rage fuel you.”

Spanberger’s words were reportedly made during an event earlier this year.

During the event, Spanberger closed her speech with a story about once complaining about politics in front of her mother, who responded, “Let your rage fuel you.”

“And so, Mom, I love you. I thank you for the sage advice. And to the rest of us, every time we hear a new story, we let it fuel us,” she said.

“Every time we turn on the news, we let it fuel us. Every time something bad is happening, we say, ‘Oh that’s motivation.'”

“Rage,” Earle-Sears wrote in a post on X.

“That’s what Abigail Spanberger is calling for. We’ve seen it with racist signs, cruel jeers, even cheering a father’s assassination for daring to disagree.”

Earle-Sears continued to point out that she was “asking for love” for people’s neighbors and for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“Virginia is for lovers—not rage,” Earle-Sears added.

The Henrico Citizen reported that during a campaign stop at the Eastern Henrico Government Center recently, Spanberger “encouraged voters to not only focus on the three statewide races,” but to also focus on “the 100 Virginia House of Delegates races.”

Spanberger also told supporters, “Let your rage fuel you.”

At the campaign stop, Spanberger encouraged voters to not only focus on the three statewide races – governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general – but also the 100 Virginia House of Delegates races on the ballot this fall.

“Let your rage fuel you,” she said.

“The things that you think are wrong, these things that we want to improve, the things we want to make better . . . that we want to see in Richmond, or that we want to see pushed back against in Washington. We have the ability here in Virginia to ensure that we set the stage for what’s to come.”

“Abigail Spanberger now in two separate events using this line,” Walter Curt wrote in a post on X.

“That means this is her typical campaign stump speech. She is traveling around Virginia telling her supporters to ‘let their rage fuel them.’ That is completely insane and irresponsible.”

“The @arlingtondems have let their rage fuel them for years,” the X account for the Arlington Republican Party wrote.

“They’re condescending to voters. They verbally accost Republican poll greeters. They steal, vandalize, and destroy Republican yard signs. Is rage really a responsible motivator in politics?”

“Vote Virginia!! Vote for Winsome Earle-Sears,” another person wrote in a post on X.

“Or be stuck with Spanberger.”

“How can anyone vote for this person,” another person wrote.

“‘Let your rage fuel you,'” another person wrote.

“Actual words from the Democrats’ candidate for governor in Virginia. When the next act of political violence occurs in the commonwealth we will know exactly who encouraged it.”

The resurfaced video comes after Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated recently while speaking with students at Utah Valley University, and after a man shot at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, resulting in one dead and several others wounded.

Spanberger’s repeated use of this phrase shows it’s become a central part of her campaign messaging strategy.

Her encouragement of rage-driven politics stands in stark contrast to calls for unity and civil discourse.

The timing of these comments, following recent acts of political violence, makes her rhetoric particularly concerning.

Earle-Sears’ response highlighting Virginia’s “lovers not rage” motto provides a clear alternative vision for the state.

Critics point out that rage-fueled politics has already led to harassment of Republican voters and destruction of campaign materials.

Spanberger’s language represents the kind of inflammatory rhetoric that many believe contributes to political violence.

The candidate’s willingness to make this a standard part of her stump speech suggests deliberate strategy rather than off-the-cuff remarks.

Republican observers note the contrast between Democratic calls for toning down rhetoric while simultaneously encouraging rage.

The reaction on social media demonstrates widespread concern about the potential consequences of such messaging.

Spanberger’s approach reflects a broader trend of Democratic politicians using increasingly heated language despite calls for civility.

Her campaign rhetoric could energize her base but risks alienating moderate Virginia voters who prefer measured political discourse.

The criticism from multiple Republican groups suggests this issue will likely become a significant campaign topic.

Virginia voters must decide whether they want leadership that promotes rage or seeks to bring people together.