NORFOLK, Va. (NEXSTAR) — Former U.S. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and current Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears squared off Thursday evening in their only scheduled live debate in the race for Virginia governor.

It was a fiery affair in which Earle-Sears, who is trailing in the race, went on the offensive from the very beginning, repeatedly interrupting Spanberger and asking her several direct questions.

Spanberger, who largely avoided addressing her Republican opponent directly, sought to cast a bipartisan tone at times. Over the course of the hourlong affair, the candidates sparred over violent rhetoric, the federal shutdown and transgender children. The economy was largely an afterthought.

Virginia is one of two states choosing governors this November, and its election is oft

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