Spanberger Tied To Defamation Lawsuit Over Jan. 6 Press Release

Lawsuit claims false accusations of violence…

Democratic gubernatorial nominee and former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is now at the center of a defamation lawsuit stemming from a 2022 press release related to Jan. 6. The release, issued by the Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA), labeled Thomas Speciale — a retired Army intelligence officer and former GOP Senate candidate — as a “notable insurrectionist” who “bloodied and beat law enforcement officers” at the Capitol.

Speciale denies both claims and is suing for defamation, arguing the accusations are false and have severely damaged his reputation.

Spanberger Campaign Staff Named in Depositions

According to court documents and sworn depositions, the press release was drafted by Justin Chermol, who served as press secretary for Spanberger’s 2022 campaign. It was then approved by campaign manager Sam Signori and communications director Connor Joseph, before being distributed by the DPVA.

Spanberger, however, claims she had no knowledge of the release. She filed an affidavit distancing herself from the statement, and a judge has allowed her to answer questions through written deposition — a method used when credibility is in question but direct testimony isn’t mandated.

Timeline of Legal Action

Speciale sent a cease-and-desist letter shortly after the press release was published on Nov. 3, 2022. The formal lawsuit was filed in March 2023. It wasn’t until discovery proceedings began that internal campaign documents revealed the Spanberger team’s role in authoring the language.

In discovery, Speciale hit Spanberger with 350 written questions — digging into strategy, decision-making, and whether her campaign tried to cover its tracks. Her lawyers, joined by DPVA attorney Jeffrey Breit, fired back, citing potential for harassment.

As reported by The Daily Signal:

Breit cited a press release Speciale had published about the case, warning that if Spanberger’s answers to certain questions became public, she would face harassment.

Speciale defended his list of wide-ranging questions, saying they may be relevant to show that Spanberger’s campaign, from which he says the press release originated, knowingly defamed him.

“The case is very specific to the Spanberger campaign drafting, editing and approving a press release which they sent to the Democratic Party of Virginia to publish,” Speciale told The Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday. “They did this in a deliberate effort to conceal that the press release was from the Spanberger campaign.”

“The press release defames me, stating that I was a ‘notable insurrectionist who attacked the United States Capitol’ and that I ‘bloodied and beat law enforcement,’” Speciale added. “The truth is the exact opposite — I was warning the government of possible violence at the National Counterterrorism Center and the FBI, and I was there trying to stop potential violence on January 6th.”

The trial is set for April 13–16, 2026, in Richmond City Circuit Court.

Political Implications as Governor’s Race Heats Up

Spanberger is currently leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in early polling. RealClearPolitics’ average has Spanberger ahead by just over 6 points — roughly 48.2% to 42.0% — though individual polls vary from 5 to 9-point leads depending on sample type (likely versus registered voters).

While most election forecasting outlets give Democrats an edge, the trajectory of the race is far from locked in. Earlier double-digit leads for Spanberger have narrowed to mid-single digits, signaling a shift in momentum toward Earle-Sears.

Key Factors That Could Reshape the Race

Several variables could significantly affect the race in the weeks ahead:

• National Messaging: If Republican themes — crime, taxes, border security — gain traction among Virginia voters, they could swing support toward Earle-Sears.
• Economic Pressure: Rising inflation, housing costs, and energy bills remain top concerns, particularly for suburban and working-class voters.
• Scandal Fallout: Legal developments tied to the Spanberger campaign or any late-breaking controversies could shift undecided voters or depress turnout.
• Voter Mobilization: As in past Virginia races, turnout among rural and conservative-leaning voters will be critical. A focused Republican ground game could close the gap.

Bottom Line

Spanberger’s lead remains real but vulnerable. With a trial looming, legal distractions, economic uncertainty, and narrowing poll margins, the Virginia governor’s race is anything but settled.