By Joaquin Mancera

MARION, Va. – Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger toured the Emory & Henry University School of Health and Sciences on Friday during a visit to Southwest Virginia.

While there she heard from students, faculty, and residents about the health care needs in Southwest Virginia.

“It’s exciting to see the types of places here where the community came together, recognized that this can be a place to educate health care providers, ideally get folks excited to come here, stay here, but learn and be a part of the community,” Spanberger said.

During the tour Jan. 17, Spanberger was shown the school’s classrooms, cadaver room, and simulation rooms.

Spanberger, who served as the U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 7th District for three terms, is running for governor against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

Spanberger’s stop at Marion was part of the Democratic candidate’s larger tour of SWVA, which included stops in Galax, Bristol and Norton.

“I think everybody, and every community has a story to tell,” Spanberger said. “We were just in Galax. We visited what started as a small soup kitchen in a church basement, which is now a space that does meals for the community, focuses on recovery and is just a tremendous resource.”

“There are always things that need improvement or changes, and you can learn so much from just listening to the people,” added Spanberger.

Spanberger highlighted that although she is very aware that this region is considered a deeply conservative part of the commonwealth, “I hope that what I’ve demonstrated for the people I used to serve when I was in Congress and the people I hope to serve as governor, is that vote for me, or you don’t vote for me. I still work for you, and I still want to be accountable, and I still want to hear from people.”