Virginia Democrat Campaign Sets Up Facebook Page Appearing to Be Independent News Outlet

Share This Article:

This article originally appeared here, at dailysignal.com

Virginians on Facebook may see a post from what looks like a news outlet touting Democrat governor candidate Abigail Spanberger’s campaign stops and message on education.

Unsuspecting Virginians may think a friend posted this news, but it’s actually appearing in their feeds because someone paid for it. It also doesn’t come from a news outlet, but from a Facebook page run by Spanberger’s campaign.

According to Meta’s Facebook ads library, ads on the page “Commonwealth Courier” have racked up at least 8 million “impressions,” which means that a promoted post has appeared in front of a user 8 million times, though often the same accounts see the same posts multiple times.

Users see a logo with the map of Virginia and the words “Commonwealth Courier.” This Facebook page describes itself as a “media/news company” and introduces itself as “Providing political news to Virginians across the Commonwealth.”

Facebook screenshot

Yet the page includes a key disclosure: “Spanberger for Governor is responsible for this Page.”

In other words, it claims to be a news outlet, it looks like a news outlet, but it’s just a mouthpiece for Spanberger’s campaign.

Meta’s ads library also reveals who paid for the ads—not an entity called “Commonwealth Courier” but “Spanberger for Governor.”

Meta ads library screenshot

According to The Daily Signal’s analysis, “Commonwealth Courier” has 13 active ads as of Thursday, ranging from $200 to $20,000 in spending for each ad (a total expenditure of between $79,300 and $104,600), providing at least 8 million impressions. 

Spanberger’s campaign did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment about the ads and why it uses “Commonwealth Courier” to promote them.

Meta ads library screenshot

Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is running to further the legacy of current term-limited Gov. Glenn Youngkin, while Spanberger warns that Virginia’s economy will likely suffer due to President Donald Trump’s layoffs of federal workers.

On the education issue, Spanberger has dodged a central question—whether bathrooms and locker rooms should be open to members of the opposite sex who claim to identify as transgender. Her opponent, Earle-Sears, has championed the cause of two Loudoun County boys who were found in violation of Title IX for expressing shock at seeing a girl in their locker room.

Spanberger has not addressed the Loudoun County issue, but she voted for the so-called Equality Act, legislation that would open private spaces on the basis of a claimed transgender identity and has received the endorsement of the LGBTQ activist group the Human Rights Campaign.

Amid this issue, a protester compared Earle-Sears’ stance on the issue to racial segregation. Spanberger condemned that comparison, but members of her party have attempted to blame Earle-Sears herself for the attack.

“Commonwealth Courier” seems to have no relation to Courier Newsroom, a left-leaning news outlet with a Virginia affiliate, Dogwood.

Get Active In 2025!

Join the Fairfax GOP and be a part of something bigger this election season. Whether you're passionate about engaging with voters, organizing community events, or supporting candidates, there’s a place for you on our team.
Learn More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up to be the first to receive news and events from Fairfax GOP!
Electing Republicans At Every Level

Headquarters

PAID FOR BY FAIRFAX COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE
Powered by VOTEGTR

We need you on our team in 2025!

Get active in the effort to take back Fairfax County from the progressives hellbent on raising taxes, coddling criminals, and socializing public schools.

By providing your phone number, if a cell phone, you are consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, for alerts, events, donation requests and updates to that number from Fairfax County Republican Committee. Frequency may vary/monthly. Text STOP to opt-out. Text HELP for help Msg & data rates may apply. Click HERE for Mobile T&C.

Would you consider joining the Fairfax GOP as a voting member so you can have your say on committee business, candidates, and policy resolutions?*
No thanks. Take me back to the Fairfax GOP home page.