Culpeper, Va. (AP) — Abigail Spanberger asserts that Democratic politics in rural Virginia is far from obsolete.
The former Congress representative, now vying for the position of Virginia’s Next Governor, posts videos of herself driving along the interstates through the Appalachian Mountains. She has visited small, family-run oyster farms and packaging operations by serene boatsheds in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Just last month, she conducted a press conference at a modest pharmacy amidst farmland outside Richmond.
In the 2020 elections, Spanberger performed better than former President Joe Biden in her Congressional district, achieving remarkable results in rural counties that traditionally supported President Donald Trump, including Nottoway, Powhatan, Amelia, and Louisa, as indicated by the country’s analysis.
This scenario poses a serious challenge that seems to intensify with each election cycle. Trump’s presence in these counties surged in 2024, and data suggests that Republicans have strengthened their foothold in rural areas. According to AP statistics, rural voters in Virginia represented about two in ten in the previous November’s elections, with approximately six out of ten small-town or rural constituents casting their votes for Republican candidates in the last two presidential and midterm congressional elections.
Spanberger emerged as a candidate when other Democrats opted out of the gubernatorial race. Her opponent in the general election, Wyn Earl Sears of the Lieutenant Governor's Office, is the only Republican to have gathered enough signatures to qualify for the top GOP ticket.
A spokesperson for Earl Sears remarked via email about their strategy to depict Spanberger as an advocate for rural Virginian interests.
“Rural voters see through the rhetoric,” said spokesman Payton Vogel. “Democrats consistently push for policies that harm energy jobs, increase costs, and exacerbate growth in Washington, D.C., which doesn’t resonate in communities that value freedom, faith, and hard work.”
Nevertheless, Spanberger seems resolved to broaden her campaign beyond established Democratic strongholds and attract conservative votes in the Ruby-Red regions of Virginia. From the rolling hills of Piedmont, where Trump secured a roughly 20-point victory last year, to the Roanoke Valley in the west, Spanberger is keen to engage voters in areas once competitive for Democrats but now under Republican control.
“We must demonstrate how we govern,” Spanberger emphasized, outlining her campaign message. “Governance isn’t merely about opposing Donald Trump. That is clear and significant, don’t you think?”
Last month, Spanberger found herself in a booth by the window at Frost Café in downtown Culpeper, Virginia, nestled between Washington and Charlottesville. As she sipped her coffee in this small town—previously part of her council district—children pressed their faces against the glass, creating heart shapes with their hands.
A young boy hid behind a newspaper stand, peeking at Spanberger as if she were a celebrity. He tapped on the window and waved goodbye as his family departed.
Spanberger’s presence in Trump-dominated territory illustrates a nationwide resurgent interest among Democrats in small-town America. Engaging in a Listening Tour in Kentucky and courting Minnesota farmers, she seeks new ways to connect.
Rural Virginia often feels like home for Spanberger. A former member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, she has visited farms and maintains a heritage connection to small towns where she’s known. She’s focused on bipartisan initiatives like broadband expansion, which became part of the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in Congress in 2021. She also supported another initiative to simplify efforts for farmers and forestry experts aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Some analysts argue that Trump’s federal contracts and erratic tariffs have created opportunities for Spanberger and other Democrats.
“When you consider trade and Trump’s tariffs, they significantly affect produce prices,” stated Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at Mary Washington University. “Changes in Medicaid could disproportionately impact rural communities as well.”
Spanberger’s 8-point plan to make healthcare more accessible in Southwestern Virginia was unveiled as Congress deliberates on a budget bill that risks reducing healthcare coverage, with the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimating a potential decline of 8.6 million over the next decade.
Bristol Councilor Neil Osborne, representing a city of nearly 18,000 along the Tennessee border, noted that Medicaid expansion and healthcare policy are critical for many residents. He pointed out that around 150 people showed up during Spanberger’s visit to Bristol in January.
“We’re Republicans,” Osborne stated, indicating his support for Spanberger. “However, if she improves her numbers by just 2% in Southwestern Virginia, it could mean a statewide victory margin… I hope she reallocates her resources to prioritize this region ahead of the election.”
This strategy is one Spanberger has utilized in the past. After winning a traditionally Republican district in 2018, she emphasized service to her district’s conservative base while representing its interests. Her ability to resonate with farmers, fishermen, and rural constituents helped her retain her seat across three electoral cycles.
Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms, a rural member, noted that Spanberger was consistently communicative during her term. The Orange County black farmer, whose family has owned the farm since 1910, expressed appreciation for the meaningful relationship he developed with her office.
“It’s not the norm for small farmers and African Americans to feel heard,” Carter remarked.
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Olivia Diaz is a regional member of the Associated Press/America Statehouse News Initiative Report. American Report is a non-profit, national service program placing journalists in local newsrooms to address essential issues.
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Source: apnews.com