By Staff

NORFOLK, Va. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger visited Hampton Roads on Friday, where she detailed her plan to lower healthcare and prescription drug costs as part of a broader effort to make Virginia more affordable for working families.

The former congresswoman and CIA officer met with local leaders and residents at BROTHERS restaurant in Norfolk, laying out policy proposals she said are informed by concerns raised across the Commonwealth.

“Ever since I launched my campaign for Governor, the number-one priority I hear is that we have to make Virginia more affordable for everyone. And that includes here in Hampton Roads,” Spanberger told attendees.

Spanberger’s healthcare affordability agenda, rolled out earlier this week, targets rising drug costs by cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), increasing hospital price transparency, and improving access to care in rural and underserved communities. She also pledged to eliminate predatory billing practices and hold pharmaceutical companies and scammers accountable.

Her visit comes as the Democratic primary field begins to take shape, and as new polling from Roanoke College shows Spanberger with a 17-point lead over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears in a potential general election matchup.

Spanberger was joined by state Sen. Angelia Williams Graves and Del. Bonita Anthony, both Norfolk Democrats, who praised her approach and echoed concerns about affordability voiced by constituents.

“With Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington doing everything they can to make life harder for working families, the General Assembly needs a partner in Richmond who is ready to take real action to lower costs,” Graves said.

Anthony noted that her constituents are feeling the strain of rising prices “from the grocery store to the pharmacy counter,” and described Spanberger’s focus on healthcare costs as timely and essential.

Spanberger, who represented Virginia’s 7th Congressional District for three terms, has made cost-of-living issues central to her gubernatorial campaign. In Congress, she supported legislation that allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin costs for seniors, and sought to rein in middlemen in the drug supply chain.

As governor, she said she would continue fighting for Virginians across the state.

“In every corner of Virginia, the issues of affordability, the future of our kids, the strength of our education system, and the desire to have a governor who stands up for Virginians — particularly at a time of chaos and uncertainty across the country — are priorities for so many,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger is seeking to succeed Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is barred from running for consecutive terms under Virginia law.