Abigail Spanberger’s latest campaign ad might raise eyebrows among Virginia conservatives. The Democrat gubernatorial candidate prominently features endorsements from former GOP Reps. Denver Riggleman and Barbara Comstock, yet Riggleman’s recent political shifts tell a deeper story, as Just the News reports.
In September, Spanberger released a campaign ad titled “Republicans,” showcasing Riggleman and Comstock, who both claimed, “I served as a Republican in Congress” and pledged their votes for her. This ad, shared on X, emphasizes bipartisan appeal, but Riggleman’s GOP credentials are shaky at best. He lost his 2020 primary and left the Republican Party by 2022, signaling a clear break from conservative roots.
Riggleman’s departure from the GOP began as early as May 2021, when he told MSNBC, “I’m wondering at this point, am I even a Republican in Virginia? I don’t know anymore.” By June 2022, he doubled down on CNN, stating, “I don’t” consider myself a Republican, criticizing the party’s shift from conservative principles. His public disavowal undercuts the “Republican” label Spanberger’s campaign leans into.
Riggleman’s actions after leaving Congress align him closely with Democrat Party causes. He served as a technical adviser for the Democrat-led Jan. 6 committee, diving into data analysis, including millions of lines of phone metadata obtained via congressional subpoenas. A tweet earlier this year clarified that call detail records numbered in the hundreds, not millions, but his role in such investigations raises questions about his conservative bona fides.
In 2022, Riggleman began assisting Hunter Biden’s legal team, focusing on digital forensic analysis to challenge the authenticity of Biden’s laptop. IRS whistleblowers verified the laptop’s authenticity in 2019, yet Riggleman, in a September 2024 podcast, defended a letter questioning its origins, citing Russian influence concerns.
Spanberger’s 2022 House campaign also leaned on Riggleman’s endorsement, where he called himself a “Republican congressman” despite having left the party. His 2022 ad praised Spanberger’s bipartisanship, claiming she “keeps trying to change Congress and make it work.”
Riggleman’s political crossovers extend beyond Spanberger. In August 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris and became Virginia chair of “Republicans for Harris,” even campaigning with her in Pennsylvania in October 2024. His vocal support for Harris, coupled with his criticism of Trump, paints a picture of a man fully detached from the GOP base.
Spanberger’s September press release highlighted Riggleman’s praise on MSNBC, where he called her a “very close friend” from their time in the 116th Congress. This personal connection explains his repeated endorsements, including for her 2022 House race and Sen. Tim Kaine in October of the previous year.
Riggleman’s media presence further muddies his Republican credentials. His podcast, Truth in the Barrel, launched with Democrat activist Amy McGrath, features a trailer titled “All You Fascists Bound To Lose,” hardly a conservative rallying cry. His frequent Trump critiques on social media and Substack reinforce his shift leftward.
Spanberger’s campaign pushes a bipartisan image, as seen in her X post: “Virginians want -- and deserve -- a governor who can work with anyone to deliver results.” Yet, leaning on Riggleman, who defended Hunter Biden and questioned the laptop’s authenticity, risks alienating conservatives who value transparency and accountability. Her 2020 debate stance supporting Big Tech censorship of “Russian propaganda” only deepens this skepticism.
Riggleman’s work with Hunter Biden’s legal team, starting in December 2022, included a forensic analysis to cast doubt on laptop data. In July 2023, he tweeted, “Forensics make clear that considerable information linked to Hunter Biden is questionable.” This defense, despite IRS verification, suggests a willingness to prioritize narrative over evidence, a move conservatives are likely to question.
The Steady State, a group of former intelligence officials, also endorsed Spanberger, with member John Sipher praising her on the Jack Hopkins Show. Sipher, a signer of the Hunter Biden laptop letter, further ties Spanberger to controversial progressive causes. His support, alongside Riggleman’s, creates a pattern that undercuts her bipartisan claims.
Riggleman’s involvement in the Jan. 6 committee’s data collection, as noted by Just the News this year, included handling millions of lines of phone data. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger confirmed Riggleman’s role in a 2023 FBI memo, though Riggleman downplayed the scale in a 2025 tweet. Such activities fuel conservative distrust in government overreach, a concern Spanberger’s campaign sidesteps.
Spanberger’s reliance on Riggleman and Comstock’s endorsements may appeal to moderates but risks alienating Virginia’s conservative base. Riggleman’s shift from GOP congressman to Harris supporter and Hunter Biden defender signals a rejection of the values many Republicans hold dear. His 2022 book and media appearances only amplify this disconnect.
Ultimately, Spanberger’s campaign ad touting “Republican” support stretches the truth when it comes to Riggleman’s current political alignment. Conservatives may see her bipartisan pitch as a clever disguise for progressive leanings, especially given Riggleman’s ties to Democrat figures and causes. Virginia voters deserve clarity, not carefully curated endorsements that blur ideological lines.
