Science Rules: Bill Nye, Buttigieg to boost Spanberger in key VA city as Jones scandal looms over Dem ticket
Former PBS host and renowned science educator Bill Nye, popularly known as “The Science Guy,” is set to join former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Charlottesville, Virginia, to support Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger. This rally, taking place on Tuesday, is significant not only for its star-studded lineup but also for its historical context, as Charlottesville is the birthplace of President Thomas Jefferson, a key figure in American history. Spanberger’s rally comes at a critical time as she aims to distance herself from the controversies surrounding her opponent, attorney general candidate Jay Jones, who has faced backlash for his remarks. The event is expected to draw a warm reception in Charlottesville, a Democratic stronghold amidst the predominantly Republican rural areas of the Shenandoah Valley.
While Spanberger rallies support, Republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate John Reid will be hosting a forum at the University of Virginia, highlighting the competitive nature of the gubernatorial race. Reid has claimed to be closing the gap with his Democratic opponent, Ghazala Hashmi. The political atmosphere in Charlottesville is further charged by the presence of Trump Winery, managed by Eric Trump, which symbolizes the contrasting political ideologies at play in the region. Spanberger’s campaign is strategically leveraging celebrity endorsements to bolster her position, especially as she faces criticism over her opponent’s extreme views on issues such as abortion. In a recent ad, Spanberger positioned herself as a defender of individual rights, specifically targeting Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ support for a near-total abortion ban.
Bill Nye, who has transitioned from science advocacy to political activism, has been vocal against the Trump administration, recently participating in a protest in Washington, D.C., where he criticized the government for its treatment of dissent and free speech. His involvement in the Charlottesville rally underscores the growing trend of celebrities influencing political discourse. As Spanberger prepares for her rally with Nye and Buttigieg, she is also expected to appear alongside former President Barack Obama in the coming days, further solidifying her campaign’s alignment with high-profile Democratic figures. This political showdown in Virginia is not just a fight for the governorship but a reflection of the broader national tensions as the 2024 elections approach, with both parties mobilizing their resources and celebrity endorsements to sway voters.
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Former PBS host and ex-Boeing engineer Bill Nye “The Science Guy” will join former Transportation Secretary
Pete Buttigieg
to headline a rally with Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday in the hometown of their party’s forefather.
Spanberger will rally with Buttigieg and Nye in Charlottesville – the city that birthed President Thomas Jefferson – while across town at the college founded by America’s third president, GOP lieutenant gubernatorial candidate John Reid will headline a public “Dome Room” forum hosted by pollster Larry Sabato’s University of Virginia Center for Politics.
Spanberger’s rally occurs as she tries to separate herself from scandal-plagued attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
Nye and Spanberger are expected to receive a welcome in the notable blue dot in the sea of rural Shenandoah Valley red that is Charlottesville.
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Trump Winery and its Albemarle Estate lodging, managed by
Eric Trump
, lies on the opposite side of town, down the street from Monticello itself. The road that runs from Jefferson’s estate to Trump’s is regularly lined with dozens of large American flags abutting the estate’s property line.
That contrast will be evident Tuesday, as
Spanberger enlists celebrities
in hopes of propelling her to victory, while Reid, who has claimed to be pulling within neck-and-neck of Democrat Ghazala Hashmi, also seeks to engage with the public in the closing days.
While she has condemned Jones’ comments, Spanberger has continued to decline to call for him to drop out – while pivoting this week to attacking her
Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears
, on her pro-life views.
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An ad released Monday criticized Earle-Sears’ support for a near-total abortion ban and in turn positioned Spanberger as the champion of individual rights.
Moving from medical science to engineering, Nye resurfaced this week clamoring against President
Donald Trump
at a “No Kings” protest in his hometown of Washington, D.C., where he accused some in the MAGA faithful of being “Confederates.”
“We are here to tell our lawmakers that what’s going on in our government is wrong. They must stop the abuses of this petulant president and his circle of sycophants… This president and his associates cannot tolerate dissent. To them, our free speech is frightening. They are arresting people and denying due process in courts,” Nye said in part.
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The former star of PBS’ “Bill Nye the Science Guy” and the engineer-by-trade who invented an aircraft implement while working for Boeing, slammed Trump for trying to “silence television hosts.”
When asked about Nye’s switch from science to politics, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson remarked, “You mean Bill Nye the Liberal Activist Guy?”
While Republicans are not the party typically associated with major Hollywood and celebrity endorsements, over his decade-plus in politics, Trump has garnered several very vocal stars in his camp.
“Charles In Charge” star Scott Baio has been most vocal as of late, saying in 2024 he believed the U.S. was always a “MAGA” nation.
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Jon Voight has routinely released stern X videos addressing the public and/or public officials on Trump’s bona fides:
“Who else has faced greater challenges and enemies since Lincoln?” he asked.
Mel Gibson, who played a version of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion in “The Patriot,” has been complimentary of Trump while remarking that 2024 Democratic nominee
Kamala Harris
had “the IQ of a fence post.” Trump has since appointed him a “special ambassador.”
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Just on the other side of Skyline Drive from
Jones’ rally site
is the former district of then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert – the Republican whom Jones envisioned shooting in the head in texts revealed earlier this month.
Earle-Sears repeatedly interjected during the two gubernatorial candidates’ debate to urge Spanberger to call for Jones to drop out once and for all.
On Monday, Sen.
Ted Cruz
, R-Texas, headlined a fundraiser with Earle-Sears at the home of a Tysons Corner real estate developer.
A Spanberger campaign official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Democrat will appear in the coming days with former President
Barack Obama
at a rally as well.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
