With less than six weeks until the General Election, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger is doubling down on her commitment to addressing issues she says matter most to Virginians — the cost of living.
Recent polling of 1,300 registered voters conducted by YouGov showed both cost and availability of housing are top concerns for 37% of Virginians. In Western Virginia, 69% of respondents said there were not enough affordable homes to buy or rent.
Approximately 54% said the high cost to rent or buy a home was a major issue, while 60% said local governments’ efforts to keep housing affordable were “poor” or “very poor.”
Spanberger has rolled out a series of plans to address affordability issues if elected, including her “Affordable Virginia Plan,” which would lower health care, housing, and energy costs for Virginia families.
Spanberger campaign Communications Director Connor Joseph said in a statement the high cost of living is a top concern for the former Congresswoman, specifically housing costs, as more than 40% of Virginians say they cannot realistically afford rent.
Joseph further noted Spanberger’s Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, is “cheering on” policies from the Trump administration that are putting further strain on Virginians.
“While Abigail is focusing every day on the decisive steps her administration will take to make sure every Virginia family can find housing that fits their needs and budget, Winsome Earle-Sears is cheering on President Trump’s disastrous policies that are causing costs to skyrocket,” Joseph said.
In an op-ed published by the Washington Post Thursday, Spanberger said the Trump administration has a “sledgehammer approach” to governing and cited the recent forecast from the University of Virginia that predicts almost no job growth in 2026.
Spanberger blamed the Trump administration for job stagnation in Virginia, caused by federal workforce cuts implemented by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Cuts disproportionately affected Virginia, with thousands of federal positions suddenly terminated.
“I’ve been hearing from Virginians since January who are feeling the brunt of the chaos coming across the Potomac — and I’ve been speaking out against this reckless sledgehammer approach to governing for just as long,” Spanberger wrote.
She added that if elected she would take decisive action to implement her plans to lower costs for Virginians.
“Right now, while the White House makes life more expensive, Virginians deserve leaders who will be laser-focused on lowering costs for Virginians — even if doing so may ruffle feathers in Washington,” Spanberger wrote.”
