Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin sounded the alarm over efforts to brand Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger as a centrist, as the race to determine his successor tightens.
"She is an extreme-left liberal. She just is, and she presents herself packaged as a moderate because she hasn’t said anything yet," he said Thursday on "Fox & Friends."
Spanberger, a former congresswoman and CIA officer, announced a plan to rescind an executive order that gives Virginia law enforcement authority to help fulfill federal immigration crackdowns.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger (left) is vying to become the next governor of Virginia. Incumbent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (right), a Republican, is accusing her of being an "extreme left liberal." (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images (left); John Lamparski/Getty Images (right))
"We have had a tremendous relationship with the Trump administration," he continued.
"We've arrested over 4,000 illegal immigrants in Virginia. Members of MS-13, Tren de Aragua, folks that are doing terrible things, and the first thing that Abigail Spanberger wants to do is reverse my executive order.
"This is who she is, and don't believe for a minute that she's moderate."
ABIGAIL SPANBERGER, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HOPEFUL, UNVEILS EDUCATION OVERHAUL PLAN AS ELECTION NEARS
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears speaks to the crowd during a rally held to announce she will seek her party's nomination for Virginia governor in 2025 at Chick's Oyster Bar in Virginia Beach, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Earle-Sears is running as a Republican in the 2025 gubernatorial race. (Kristen Zeis/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Some reports, including one from the Associated Press, have branded Spanberger as a "center-left" Democrat. The Washington Post also tagged Spanberger with the "centrist" descriptor.
Youngkin has been campaigning for Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is challenging Spanberger in the 2025 race.
Though polls have shown Spanberger with a lead, some recent polls suggest Earle-Sears could be closing the gap.
"I was campaigning with her most of the day yesterday. The crowds are huge. The enthusiasm is high," Youngkin said, adding that he expects the race to be tight.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Spanberger campaign regarding Youngkin's comments, but did not receive an immediate response.
Fox News' Charles Creitz contributed to this report.