Earlier this Week, Spanberger Was Endorsed by Former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and U.S. Reps. Beyer, Connolly, & Wexton

HENRICO, Va. — State and local officials from across Virginia today endorsed U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s next Governor, following the launch of her campaign earlier this week.

Today’s endorsement slate from Members of the Virginia General Assembly and local officials reflects the broad and growing support for Spanberger’s campaign — from Hampton Roads to Northern Virginia to Virginia’s Seventh District to Southwest Virginia.

The following Virginia elected officials have now announced their support for Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s 75th Governor: 

Governor

Gov. Ralph Northam, 73rd Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia

U.S. House

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08)

U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (VA-10)

U.S. Rep. Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly (VA-11)

NEW: Former U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (VA-09)

NEW: Virginia Senate

Senator-Elect Schuyler VanValkenburg, Virginia Senate, District 16

Sen. Adam Ebbin, Virginia Senate, District 39

Sen. Barbara Favola, Virginia Senate, District 40

NEW: Virginia House of Delegates 

Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Virginia House of Delegates, District 5

Del. Irene Shin, Virginia House of Delegates, District 8

Delegate-Elect Fernando “Marty” Martinez, Virginia House of Delegates, District 29

Del. Sally Hudson, Virginia House of Delegates, District 57

Del. Rodney Willett, Virginia House of Delegates, District 58

Delegate-Elect Joshua Cole, Virginia House of Delegates, District 65

NEW: Virginia Local Officials 

Daun Hester, Treasurer, City of Norfolk; former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, District 89

Frank Reaves, Jr., Mayor of Culpeper

Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor of Fredericksburg

Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor of Manassas City

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Spanberger thanked these public servants for their commitment to the future of Virginia and for their strong support of her campaign.

“Our success as a Commonwealth requires leaders at all levels of government — federal, state, and local — to work together. In the four days since launching our campaign, I’ve been humbled and honored by the tremendous wave of support from Virginia leaders,” said Spanberger. “Virginia is home to incredible public servants who truly want to get things done for our Commonwealth’s families, communities, and overall economy. As Governor, I look forward to working tirelessly with these officials to make it happen.”

ENDORSEMENT QUOTES

U.S. House

“Abigail Spanberger has represented Virginia honorably and with courage in Congress. She has earned my endorsement to serve as our next Governor of Virginia. I can think of no other Democrat who is more prepared for guiding our state into a new era of prosperity. I represented Southwest Virginia during many difficult times and during moments of great change, and Abigail is no stranger to these challenges. She will lead our communities — including our rural areas — with her competence, her steady and thoughtful leadership, and her commitment to making the lives of all Virginians better, and I know that as Governor she will be responsive to the needs of Southwest Virginians.” — Former U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher (VA-09)

Virginia State Senate

“Abigail works hard, has a deep love of Virginia, and has always put public service above herself — and that’s why I am very proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger to serve as the next Governor of Virginia. As a public school teacher, I know that Abigail will always prioritize strong investments in our schools. As a parent, I know that she will focus on keeping Virginia kids safe from gun violence. And in the State Senate, I look forward to working with future Governor Spanberger to lower costs for families, protect the fundamental freedoms of all Virginians, and bring people together in a bipartisan way to strengthen our communities.” — Senator-Elect Schuyler VanValkenburg, Virginia State Senate, District 16

“I am honored to endorse Abigail Spanberger to serve as our next Governor. Abigail has proven she can bring people together to get results for Virginia. That’s why I’m proud to join the hundreds of thousands of Virginians, from Richmond to Northern Virginia, who have already entrusted her with their votes. And as Governor, we can count on Abigail to keep delivering results for us. I am eager to partner with her on issues important to Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax — ranging from preventing gun violence and protecting access to reproductive health care to delivering on the promise of equality for all Virginians.” — Sen. Adam Ebbin, Virginia Senate District 39

“I enthusiastically endorse Abigail Spanberger for Governor, because I know she will bring common sense, integrity, and a passion for improving the lives of Virginians to the job. Abigail will be a fierce protector of a woman’s reproductive freedom and will keep the government out of those very personal decisions. I trust her to create the type of future that will enable our children and families to thrive. I hope you can join me in supporting Abigail Spanberger for Governor.” — Sen. Barbara Favola, Virginia Senate District 40

Virginia House of Delegates 

“I am proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s next Governor. As a mom, I’m grateful for Abigail’s track record of getting things done on issues all Virginia families care about most — lowering drug prices, tackling hunger among Virginia’s kids, expanding access to affordable childcare, and defending our reproductive rights. I look forward to working directly with Abigail to deliver for Virginia’s families.” — Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Virginia House of Delegates, District 5

“Abigail Spanberger has earned my endorsement for Governor of Virginia. Throughout her career, she has proven herself to be a dedicated public servant and a strong voice for progress. As our Democratic Governor, I know that Abigail will protect reproductive freedom, expand access to affordable healthcare, and invest in an economy that prioritizes working Virginians. I encourage everyone in the 8th District and across Virginia to join me in supporting Abigail Spanberger for Governor.” — Del. Irene Shin, Virginia House of Delegates, District 8.

“Abigail Spanberger has my support and my endorsement to be our next Governor of Virginia. She has been selfless in her support of her fellow Virginia Democrats, and she understands that we need to work together to rise above division. I know Abigail to be someone who cares deeply about her family, is devoted to our Commonwealth, and will work with leaders at all levels to get things done. Whether through supporting our fantastic schools, protecting our rights, or making sure we provide Virginia’s veterans with the resources they need, I know that Abigail will be in our corner.” — Delegate-Elect Fernando “Marty” Martinez, Virginia House of Delegates, District 29

“Abigail has earned a reputation for showing up everywhere and building broad coalitions to take on big problems. That’s leadership. I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger for Governor. In Congress, Abigail is a proven leader in creating jobs, investing in broadband, and protecting our planet for future generations. As Governor, I know she will defend abortion access, strengthen our public schools, and expand economic opportunities in all corners of our Commonwealth.” — Del. Sally Hudson, Virginia House of Delegates, District 57

“Abigail Spanberger has my strong endorsement to serve as Virginia’s next Governor. Henrico residents know and trust Abigail. She has always been ready to lend a hand to her fellow Virginians, she has demonstrated a commitment to solving problems, and she knows how to get things done. Under Abigail’s leadership, the Commonwealth will see progress on the issues that impact all who call Virginia home — from lowering drug costs to growing our economy to making sure our schools are the best in the country.” — Del. Rodney Willett, Virginia House of Delegates, District 58

“I am excited to endorse Abigail Spanberger to be our next Governor. Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford have seen Abigail in action — and they know she always delivers. Abigail always puts the interests of the people above her own interests. She is a team player, and her example inspires others — including a new generation of leaders — to pursue public service. Abigail is the Democrat we need in Richmond to bring people together, rise above division, and make our communities stronger.” — Delegate-Elect Joshua Cole, Virginia House of Delegates, District 65

Virginia Local Officials 

“Today, I am proud to announce my endorsement of Abigail Spanberger to lead Virginia as our next Governor. In my conversations with Abigail, she has demonstrated a true interest in the lives of Virginians — their hopes, their hardships, and their unique potential. Through her actions, she has demonstrated time and time again her commitment to our communities. I am confident that Abigail will lift up new voices, keep our communities safe, and make sure every Virginia student — regardless of their background, income bracket, or zip code — has equal access to opportunity. Norfolk, the Tidewater region, and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia will have a fierce champion for our interests and our rights with Abigail leading us forward. I strongly encourage all Democrats to support her candidacy.” — Daun Hester, Treasurer, City of Norfolk; former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, District 89

“As our Representative in Congress, Abigail Spanberger has always delivered for Culpeper. When the Carver Center needed a new roof, she got funding. When RRCS needed more space to treat those grappling with addiction, she got it done. And when volunteer EMTs in our community needed a new ambulance, she came through. Abigail even brought the President of the United States to Culpeper to hear directly from Virginians about the need to lower drug prices. That is the definition of representation, and it’s why I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.” —  Frank Reaves, Jr., Mayor of Culpeper. 

“I am proud to support Abigail Spanberger to serve as our next Governor of Virginia. Fredericksburg residents know that when we call, Abigail will answer. In Congress, she has prioritized working with leaders at all levels — federal, state, and local — to make sure Virginia gets results. That is the kind of leadership we need in our next Governor, and I know the Fredericksburg community will greatly benefit from Abigail leading us forward.” — Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor of Fredericksburg

“I wholeheartedly endorse Abigail Spanberger as the next Governor of Virginia. Abigail has not just earned but exemplified a sterling reputation as a leader with an innate understanding of complex challenges. More importantly, Abigail has and will deliver tangible results for our communities. Without a doubt, she is the right choice to lead our beloved Commonwealth. I urge all Virginia Democrats to rally behind her campaign and embrace her message of optimism over division.” — Michelle Davis-Younger, Mayor of Manassas City

BACKGROUND

Spanberger launched her gubernatorial campaign on Monday. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton endorsed Spanberger — and on Wednesday, former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08), and U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11) endorsed Spanberger.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) is serving her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. In Congress, she serves on the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.

Before Congress, Spanberger served as a federal law enforcement officer — tracking narcotics traffickers and working money laundering cases — and as a CIA case officer — working undercover on counterterrorism and nuclear counterproliferation cases. She and her husband Adam are raising three school-aged daughters in Virginia.

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