Police Union Defends Endorsement of Spanberger, Blasts MAGA Blogger's Claims

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association president says the blogger's statements about the endorsement are "not only false, but defamatory".

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:15am

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The president of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VAPBA), Joe Woloszyn, issued a strongly worded statement refuting claims made by a MAGA-aligned blogger, Kyle Reyes, about the union's endorsement of Abigail Spanberger in the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race. Woloszyn accused Reyes of making "false and defamatory" statements, and provided details about the VAPBA's endorsement process to counter Reyes' claims that the endorsement was not announced honestly and that officers were not consulted.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the partisan tensions surrounding law enforcement endorsements in political races, as well as the importance of police unions maintaining credibility and trust with their rank-and-file members. The VAPBA's defense of its Spanberger endorsement process suggests it is committed to being transparent and representing the interests of its members, even when those interests may not align with a particular political agenda.

The details

Woloszyn said the VAPBA followed its longstanding endorsement policy, which involves a screening committee of over a dozen active law enforcement officers interviewing candidates and requiring a 60% vote for an endorsement. He refuted Reyes' claim that officers were not consulted or informed, stating that the VAPBA responded to every member who raised questions or disagreed with the Spanberger endorsement. Woloszyn also acknowledged that the VAPBA had previously endorsed Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2021, but said the association was "ignored" by Youngkin's administration afterwards, in contrast to Spanberger's ongoing dialogue and support for legislation benefiting law enforcement.

  • The VAPBA endorsement of Abigail Spanberger was announced in 2025 for the Virginia gubernatorial race.

The players

Joe Woloszyn

The president of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VAPBA), a Fairfax County police officer who defended the union's endorsement of Abigail Spanberger.

Kyle Reyes

A MAGA-aligned blogger who runs the "Law Enforcement Today" website and published an op-ed criticizing the VAPBA's endorsement of Abigail Spanberger.

Abigail Spanberger

The Democratic candidate endorsed by the VAPBA in the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race, who has maintained an ongoing dialogue with the union and supported legislation benefiting law enforcement.

Glenn Youngkin

The Republican governor of Virginia who received the VAPBA's endorsement in 2021, but was later "ignored" by his administration according to the union's president.

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What they’re saying

“The endorsement was not announced honestly. It was buried. Officers were not consulted, not polled, not even informed.”

— Kyle Reyes (Law Enforcement Today)

“VAPBA followed the longstanding (Southern States Police Benevolent Association) policy governing political screenings and endorsements. That policy requires the establishment of a screening committee to interview candidates. Based on those interviews, candidates are scored by the committee, and endorsement requires at least 60 percent of the votes cast. The 2025 VAPBA screening committee consisted of more than a dozen VAPBA members who are actively employed as law-enforcement officers.”

— Joe Woloszyn, President, Virginia Police Benevolent Association (augustafreepress.com)

“VAPBA proudly endorsed Gov. Youngkin in 2021. What followed was four years of being ignored by both the governor and his administration. We did not skip his events – we simply were not invited.”

— Joe Woloszyn, President, Virginia Police Benevolent Association (augustafreepress.com)

“Gov. Spanberger invited VAPBA to participate in her inaugural parade, appointed a VAPBA staff representative, Rich Goszka, to her transition team, and sought our input on qualified candidates for leadership roles within her administration.”

— Joe Woloszyn, President, Virginia Police Benevolent Association (augustafreepress.com)

What’s next

The VAPBA president indicated the union has "nothing to hide" and challenged the MAGA blogger to explain what he has done for law enforcement, suggesting the dispute may continue.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the partisan tensions surrounding law enforcement endorsements in political races, as well as the importance of police unions maintaining credibility and trust with their rank-and-file members. The VAPBA's defense of its endorsement process suggests it is committed to representing its members' interests, even when those interests may not align with a particular political agenda.