Former Biden Aide Urges Va. Gov. Spanberger to Abandon 'Biden Bunker' Strategy

Michael LaRosa says Spanberger has squandered goodwill and allowed GOP to define her within months of taking office.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:55am

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A former top official in the Biden administration, Michael LaRosa, has sharply criticized Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger for wrongly following Joe Biden's playbook. LaRosa says Spanberger has squandered 'goodwill' and allowed the GOP to define her, demanding she 'come out of her Biden bunker'. This comes as former Governor George Allen offered to debate Spanberger virtually on the subject of redistricting, which she had previously declined.

Why it matters

Spanberger's fall from a landslide-winning candidate to a controversial chief executive is seen as a cautionary tale. LaRosa's criticism highlights the risks of adopting a 'don't give it oxygen' strategy, which can allow opponents to define a politician. Spanberger's high unfavorability ratings so early in her term also raise questions about her political capital and ability to govern effectively.

The details

LaRosa, former first lady Jill Biden's longtime top aide and spokesperson, slammed Spanberger on Tuesday, unfavorably comparing her to former President Joe Biden. He called a recent Washington Post poll showing Spanberger as the governor with the highest unfavorables 'entirely self-inflicted and avoidable'. LaRosa said Spanberger 'came in with a mandate and genuine goodwill, and within months, the GOP succeeded in branding her a wolf in sheep's clothing'. He urged Spanberger to hold regular press conferences, get combative with reporters, and accept interviews with mainstream media to counter the 'attacks, smears and misinformation' that he says have now become a 'mainstream narrative'.

  • Spanberger was elected governor of Virginia in November 2022.
  • The Washington Post poll showing Spanberger's high unfavorability ratings was released in April 2026, just four months into her term.

The players

Michael LaRosa

A former top official in the Biden administration and longtime top aide and spokesperson for former first lady Jill Biden.

Abigail Spanberger

The current Governor of Virginia, elected in 2022.

George Allen

The former Governor of Virginia and son of Washington Redskins icon George H. Allen.

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What they’re saying

“'[She] came in with a mandate and genuine goodwill, and within months, the GOP succeeded in branding her a wolf in sheep's clothing.'”

— Michael LaRosa, Former top Biden administration official

“'What the hell does she have to lose?'”

— Michael LaRosa, Former top Biden administration official

“'All of this is a bit confusing; it's unusual, and it helps the people to hear both sides of it.'”

— George Allen, Former Governor of Virginia

What’s next

Former Governor George Allen has offered to debate Spanberger virtually on the subject of redistricting, which Spanberger had previously declined. Allen says he has re-upped his offer with even more favorable terms for Spanberger, suggesting the debate be televised for one hour with a moderator of Spanberger's choosing before the April 21 election.

The takeaway

Spanberger's struggles early in her term serve as a cautionary tale about the risks of adopting a defensive, 'don't give it oxygen' strategy in the face of political attacks. Her high unfavorability ratings so soon after taking office raise questions about her ability to effectively govern and build the necessary political capital, underscoring the importance of proactive communication and engagement with the public and media.