Spanberger Gains Latino, Asian Support in Virginia Gubernatorial Race

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger is intensifying outreach to Latino and Asian American voters in Virginia ahead of the upcoming election, hosting private events at culturally significant venues such as a Mexican restaurant and a Korean tea shop. These efforts include Spanberger speaking fluent Spanish and participating in traditional cultural ceremonies, aiming to connect deeply with these key demographics. Prominent Democrats like Senator Ruben Gallego and labor leader Dolores Huerta have endorsed Spanberger at these events, emphasizing her support for issues like affordable housing, education, and small businesses that resonate with Latino voters. However, some conservative Latino leaders criticized the campaign's approach, viewing the choice of venues and private nature of the events as potentially exclusionary or pandering. Spanberger's campaign frames these outreach efforts as part of a broader "Virginia Votes Blue" bus tour to energize voters and rebuild Democratic momentum after the 2024 election cycle. If elected, Spanberger would be Virginia's first female Democratic governor, marking a historic milestone for the state.