Update: Earle-Sears campaign responds to CNBC ranking

Earle-Sears campaign responds to CNBC list.

This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.

Have a tip? You can reply to this email or reach out to me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com.

---

Earle-Sears campaign responds

“This frighteningly is a harbinger of things to come if Democrats continue to stand in the way of smart economic policies that foster growth and opportunity,” said Peyton Vogel, the press secretary for Earle-Sears. “Our competitive advantage nationally has already been weakened with liberal control in the General Assembly. It’ll be hard-working Virginians who pay the price if Abigail Spanberger is governor.”

From earlier:

Response to Virginia’s business ranking

Political figures are responding to the news that Virginia is being ranked number four in CNBC’s top states for business rankings.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin:

“Results matter and Virginia is stronger economically and financially than she has ever been. CNBC’s new methodology this year is thrown off by a new subjective metric that mistakenly ascribes substantial risk to Virginia from the federal government’s presence in the Commonwealth. CNBC fails to recognize that our private sector growth has been at record levels, with $121 billion in business investment committed and record job growth, with 270,000 more Virginians working and roughly 200,000 open and unfilled jobs. This has driven 4 straight years of record surpluses. Meanwhile, the federal government’s presence is heavily weighted to Defense and National Security, which are getting more funding, not less. Our AAA bond rating was just reaffirmed while neighbors like Maryland and DC were downgraded. Our rainy day fund is among the best resourced in the nation. It is our financial and economic strength that CNBC simply missed this year. By the objective metrics, Virginia is still the best state to start or grow your business. The facts are clear: Nearly 350,000 jobs created or in the pipeline, more than $121 billion in capital investment from companies expanding in Virginia or moving to the Commonwealth, 15,000 high-growth startups, and more people moving to Virginia than away from the other 49 states for the first time in a decade.”

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger:

“Every day, I’m hearing from Virginians about their top priorities — including creating new jobs, lowering costs, and growing our economy. These Virginians — including business leaders — are also worried about the uncertainty caused by the chaos coming from Washington and the damage done to Virginia’s economy. Today’s rankings make clear that Virginia needs a Governor who will build a more resilient economy, leverage our Commonwealth’s strengths to attract new investment, prepare our workforce for 21st-century jobs, and stand up for our workers and small businesses in the face of ongoing threats. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will make it a top priority of my administration to make sure Virginia is the best place in the country to start or grow a business, and I will put a plan in place on day one that is clear-eyed about the challenges and opportunities ahead. Not only will we champion economic development in every corner of Virginia, but we will focus on strengthening the factors that bring new businesses to Virginia and keep them here — including our world-class schools and higher education institutions, our infrastructure, and our highly-skilled workforce. Unlike my opponent in this race, I won’t dismiss threats to our workforce, our economy, and Virginia’s reputation. As Governor, I will always stand up to reckless policies that hurt our ability to attract new investments and retain our talent. And I will make sure businesses looking to come to Virginia know — without a doubt — that they have a reliable, productive, and steady partner in the Governor’s office come January 2026.”

Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi:

“Virginians across the state remain quite clear about their main priorities: reducing the high costs of living, creating new good-paying jobs, and expanding our state economy. Unfortunately, today’s CNBC rankings show that the recklessness from Washington has put those priorities at risk and moved Virginians further away from the thriving economy they want to see. Instead of state leadership that continues to rubber stamp the chaos of Republican leadership in Washington, we need leaders who will fight for Virginians, including a Lieutenant Governor who stands up for Virginia’s families, workers, and small businesses. With the increased challenges emerging from federal legislation that dismantles health care, education, food assistance programs, and so much more, we must focus attention directly on securing economic and workforce development programs that create more jobs and attract new investments to our state. As the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, I will ensure our state is the best in the nation to work, start or grow a business, and thrive. That starts with investing in top-tier schools and universities across Virginia, a strong economic infrastructure, and a skilled workforce that will promote economic development across the state and bring and retain new businesses.”

Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid

“I’m sure all of the editors in NYC know we have elections here this year so never underestimate political motivations in these media lists. While economic and business rankings are always shifting, our commitment to Virginia being a pro-business state cannot change. If Democrats successfully strip workers of their Right to Work and force them to join and pay a union to keep their jobs then, mark my words, Virginia will fall out of the top 25. As a former leader at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a businessman myself I can tell you that Democrat plans to raise taxes and fees on everything from gas to groceries to plastic bags to meals while also taxing your old vehicles and your income put us at a big disadvantage to many of our neighboring states. I want to recalibrate our tax structure- eliminating the horrible car tax and relieving taxes on working people, retirees and entrepreneurs. It’s why I’m running for Lt. Governor- to bring practical new solutions to what has become a crushing pro-tax mindset with Democrats at the Capitol in Richmond. We create more jobs, more opportunities, and not coincidentally we get more revenue when we free up people and businesses!”

Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones

“This CNBC ranking is a reminder of what happens when elected officials like Jason Miyares are too weak to stand up to Donald Trump. While Virginians are working harder than ever, our business climate is slipping – and Miyares isn’t just asleep at the wheel, he has turned the Attorney General’s office into Donald Trump’s personal law firm at the expense of our families, livelihoods, and small businesses. Over the last five months, Miyares has failed to protect the over 300,000 Virginians who are employed by the federal government from being fired at random – sitting on the sidelines as other attorneys general sued the Trump administration’s unlawful cuts to the federal workforce. Miyares needs a reality check: Donald Trump isn’t his boss – Virginians are. As Attorney General, I won’t sit on the sidelines. I’ll defend Virginia’s economic interests by standing up to harmful federal overreach, prioritize workforce development and affordability, and hold both Washington and Richmond accountable to the people – not donors or extremist agendas.”

Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares have not released any statements.

---

Virginia House Democratic Caucus:

“Now more than ever, Virginia needs a Democratic House of Delegates that will stand up to the devastation to our workforce, our healthcare system, and our economy,” said Speaker Don Scott. “While Democrats are fighting to bring jobs and investment into Virginia, Republicans are cheering on Trump’s reckless cuts to federal agencies and sabotaging our progress. They’re more interested in scoring political points than protecting the workers and families who make this Commonwealth run.”

“This drop in the rankings is a direct consequence of Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda, and Virginia Republicans’ refusal to stand up to it,” said Leader Charniele Herring. “From voting against job-creating investments to refusing to defend our federal workforce, Republicans are putting partisan loyalty above Virginia’s economic future. Democrats are the only ones fighting to protect good-paying jobs and keep our economy going.”

“For years, Virginia was ranked the best state for business—and that didn’t happen by accident,” said Chair Kathy Tran. “It happened because Democrats invested in workers, education, and innovation. But now, Republicans are standing by as Trump guts federal jobs and threatens the economic engine that powers our state. Virginians deserve leaders who will fight for stability, opportunity, and a future where every community can thrive.”