Virginia gubernatorial Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger is using a platform of common ground to appeal to voters who wouldn’t traditionally cast their ballot in her favor.
In an op-ed published by Fox News, Spanberger reached out to Republicans, not just Democrats and independents, with a campaign appeal focused on lowering costs for Virginia families, growing the state’s economy and creating job opportunities.
Spanberger detailed how she had spent a morning in Hanover County in May, where voters had overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump in 2024.
Despite being met with some community members who wore Trump-supportive merchandise, including a Tea Party member, Spanberger said she was able to find commonality when discussing issues, especially those around the cost of health care.
“What started as him leaving home on a rainy Wednesday morning to hold me accountable turned into a meaningful conversation about one of the challenges I hear about most from families, veterans, seniors and young people across our commonwealth — the rising cost of medical care,” Spanberger wrote.
Spanberger added that medical bills were only a part of the discussion she had with voters she met during that May tour. The biggest concern of all she said, is the overall cost of everything.
“The No. 1 challenge Virginians share with me is the squeeze of high costs. Rising rent and mortgage payments, energy bills, and prices at the pharmacy counter are stretching Virginians’ paychecks thin,” Spanberger wrote. “Virginians who are working hard to get by deserve a Governor who is laser-focused on doing everything in her power to deliver them real relief.”
The former Congresswoman is currently on a 40-stop, 11-day statewide bus tour as Election Day looms only a week away on Nov. 4. She noted she is meeting with as many Virginians as possible because they deserve to know they have the opportunity to vote for someone who will put their needs first.
Since her campaign began, Spanberger has rolled out several plans detailing how she will improve Virginians’ lives, while noting her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, has failed to lay out any real plans to address affordability issues.
Spanberger also highlighted the more than 300,000 Virginia federal workers who are “grappling with the consequences” of federal cuts implemented by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly led by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
She noted the Trump administration is using the ongoing federal government shutdown to escalate DOGE firings.
“My opponent dismissed the devastating impacts of these cuts on Virginia’s economy and even mocked Virginians for worrying about losing their jobs,” Spanberger wrote. “As Virginia’s next governor, I am clear-eyed about threats to our commonwealth — and I will always stand up for Virginians’ jobs and Virginia’s economy.”
Spanberger was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, in a district that had not elected a Democrat in more than 50 years. Part of her victory, she said, came because voters believed she would put Virginians above political parties, donors, and the President.
“Since I first got into politics, I’ve been focused on addressing some of the most pressing issues facing Virginia’s families and businesses — from protecting Virginians’ access to healthcare coverage to bringing down the cost of living to keeping our communities safe,” Spanberger wrote. “My focus hasn’t changed — and I’m ready to get to work on day one to deliver for Virginians.”
“I might be a Democrat, but you don’t have to be one to vote for me. I would be honored to earn your vote and grateful to serve as your Governor,” Spanberger added.
Spanberger has held a steady lead in polls, with the most recent Wason Center poll from Christopher Newport University showing her leading by 7-percentage-points, or 50% to 43%. Only 6% of poll respondents said they were still undecided, while 1% said they were backing someone else.
