During the Three-Day Swing, Spanberger Visited 10 Localities to Listen to the Concerns, Ideas, & Aspirations of Virginians
RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger — running to serve as the next Governor of Virginia — this past weekend met Virginians across Southwest Virginia, Southside Virginia, and Virginia’s Roanoke and New River Valleys.
During a three-day swing through 10 localities, Spanberger listened to Virginians’ ideas for the future of the Commonwealth, discussed the issues that matter most to them, and toured local businesses and community organizations. She made stops in Galax, Marion, Bristol, Norton, Pulaski, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Bedford, Martinsville, and Danville.
“My vision for the future of our Commonwealth has always been — and will always be — guided by Virginians. I spent this weekend having meaningful conversations with Virginians from far Southwest Virginia up to the Piedmont — because I can’t address the unique needs of Virginia’s communities without first hearing directly from the Virginians who call them home,” said Spanberger. “I heard from parents who are concerned about their kids’ ability to receive a high-quality public education. I heard from workers who are concerned about the job opportunities available in the next five or ten years. And I heard from Virginians who are feeling the strain in their wallets — at the grocery store, on their energy bills, and in their housing costs. I want to thank them all for sharing their perspectives.”
Spanberger continued, “As the next Governor of Virginia, I will be laser-focused on bringing the voices of parents, workers, business owners, and seniors across all corners of our Commonwealth to the decision-making table.”
Spanberger’s first stop on her three-day swing was Galax, Virginia. She met with Virginians at Galax Smokehouse to listen to the issues that matter most to them.
While in Galax, Spanberger also toured God’s Storehouse Soup Kitchen, a local nonprofit organization focused on serving Virginians in need. God’s Storehouse opened their new facility just weeks prior to Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Southwest Virginia and served as a lifeline for impacted Virginians.
Spanberger toured the Emory & Henry University School of Health Sciences in Marion to learn more about their work to train the next generation of doctors, nurses, and medical staff.
To end the day on Friday, Spanberger joined Virginians at Michael Waltrip Brewing in Bristol to share her vision for the future of Virginia and hear their concerns.
Spanberger started her Saturday in Norton at Cafe Azalea to take questions from Virginians about their challenges and aspirations — including their ideas for the future of economic development and education in far Southwest Virginia.
Spanberger met with Virginians at Broussard’s General Store in Pulaski to take questions and learn more about the issues that are top of mind for Virginians in the New River Valley.
Spanberger’s last stop on Saturday was in a packed room in Blacksburg, where she spoke to Virginians about her campaign to serve as the next Governor of the Commonwealth. She discussed the need for strong public schools, safe communities, and a more affordable Virginia.
On Sunday morning, Spanberger began her day at Second Cafe in Roanoke. There, she met with Virginians from across the Roanoke Valley and listened to their concerns and visions for the future. Additionally, she spoke about her bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which was recently signed into law to deliver relief to more than 50,000 Virginia retirees.
Later on Sunday morning, Spanberger joined community members at the Bower Center For The Arts in Bedford, where she took questions from Virginians and heard their stories, their concerns, and their hopes. Additionally, she discussed the importance of showing up in every region of the Commonwealth — not just areas where the majority of local Virginians agree with you on every issue.
At the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville, Spanberger met and spoke with Virginians about the issues that matter most to their community and the challenges they face.
On Sunday evening, Spanberger’s final stop of the weekend was 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company in Danville, where she discussed the importance of investing in Virginia’s public schools and teachers, keeping Virginia’s communities safe, and lowering costs for families in Southside Virginia.
BACKGROUND
Spanberger served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 2019 to January 2025. Before Congress, Spanberger served as a federal law enforcement officer — tracking narcotics traffickers and working money laundering cases. She then served as a CIA case officer — working undercover on counterterrorism and nuclear counterproliferation cases. She and her husband Adam are the proud parents of three school-aged daughters in Virginia public schools.
Abigail Spanberger announced her campaign to serve as the 75th Governor of Virginia in November 2023.
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