Abigal Spanberger’s VA Votes Bus Tour Lands in Floyd
The following was first published in Floyd Times on October 29, 2025.
“She needs no introduction!” announced Karen Baker, Floyd County Democratic Committee Chair, as candidate for Governor of Virginia Abigal Spanberger took the Event Center stage at Floyd EcoVillage. The crowd of nearly 200 citizens rose from their seats, cheered and waved flags of support.
Spanberger thanked everyone for coming. She had just come from Lee County and Bristol and was planning to head to Blacksburg after her visit to Floyd. “We are out on our Virgina Votes Bus Tour. The weather is a little bit chilly but the people are warm,” she began.
“The focus we have right now,” she continued, “is making sure every person across the commonwealth knows the stakes of this election, knows what is possible, knows who I am as a candidate and why I’m asking for your vote. I’m running for Governor because I believe in Virginia and I want to serve.”
Spangler, who grew up in Henrico County, comes from a family where service to community and country was a focus. She has worked as a federal agent involved in narcotics and money laundering cases, and a CIA officer who worked on counter terrorism and nuclear proliferation cases.
In 2014, when her oldest daughter was five, after spending time overseas and then living on the west coast, her family made the decision to go home to VA. She left her job with the CIA, got a private sector job, started a girl scout troop and volunteered.
“I thought that’s how things would continue, until the lead up to and the aftermath of the 2016 election when I decided that the political landscape was something I didn’t find acceptable. I wanted to change it for my kids and for all our kids,” she said.
In 2019, she won a seat in the U.S. Congress. “I got to work serving the people of Virginia’s 7th district. I was rated the most bipartisan member of Congress from the VA delegation because I built coalitions to get things done. I was rated most effective legislator in the House and Senate on agriculture issues because I worked to bring coalitions together and get things done for the farmers and producers I represented,” Spangler said.
Since Spangler made the decision to run for governor in 2023 and finished up her term in Congress, she’s been putting her whole heart into her campaign. She spoke about some of the issues she will stand up for as governor, strengthening our health care, supporting stronger schools, lowering costs of necessities, standing up for our federal workers and improving infrastructure – bridges, broadband, road congestion – while refusing the politics of division and anger.
Following her address, Spanberger spent time connecting with attendees, mostly Floyd Countians. A line formed to meet the candidate. There was excitement, lots of smiles and sometimes hugs, like the one with Janet Keith, after Keith told her, “I’m a retired teacher and an active farmer. You have my vote, and you have my prayers.”
Photos: 1. The Event Center filled with close to 200 attendees waiting to hear Abigal Spanberger, Democratic candidate for governor, speak. 2. Karen Baker introduced Spanberger to a full house at EcoVillage Event Center. 3. The crowd cheered enthusiastically as Spanberger spoke. 4. Some raised and waved signs in support of Spanberger. 5. A line formed of attendees wanting to speak to and take photographs with Spanberger. 6. Meeting and greeting. 7. Spanberger and Janet Keith spoke at the end of the rally and exchanged a hug.