VA-GOV: Spanberger courts Trump voters in rural Virginia

[RandySF]

Democrats insist the first year of the Trump administration has ravaged rural America. Next week’s Virginia gubernatorial election will provide a glimpse into whether rural Americans agree.

After overwhelmingly supporting Donald Trump in 2024, these voters have absorbed the brunt of his tariffs on agricultural and manufacturing products, watched their health clinics close and witnessed firsthand the shrinking farm workforce — all in a matter of nine months since Trump resumed the presidency.

In Virginia, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger is emphasizing those issues as she makes a play for red-leaning rural voters on the campaign trail, giving her party a preview into this coalition expansion strategy ahead of next year’s midterms.

She’s been addressing the concerns of rural voters as she hopscotches the state in one of the few elections to take place in the country next week, giving the race outsized importance as party leaders, donors and voters assess the state of the Democratic Party.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/30/democrats-rural-voters-tight-virginia-governor-race-00628974?experience_id=EXYF89KVT5UQ&template_id=OTJIR2CRKUD6&variant_id=OTVPVBAUA2YMK&is_login_link=true

[Justice Brandeis]

1. Losing a county 65-35 is a lot different than losing a county 80-20

It's math and it matters in an election.

[fujiyamasan]

2. Yes, it's all about cutting the margins in red counties

Peel off as many voters as you can.