(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
OAN’s James Meyers
11:38 AM – Monday, November 13, 2023
Democrat Representative Abigail Spanberger has announced she will be running for Virginia Governor instead of seeking re-election in the House.
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The announcement on Monday comes after recent months of speculation that Spanberger would seek re-election in her district in 2024.
She made the announcement in a campaign video, claiming that she will lower prescription drug prices, grow the middle class, lower inflation and support abortion for women.
“Our country and our Commonwealth are facing fundamental threats to our rights, our freedoms, and to our democracy,” said Spanberger, who won’t face a term-limited GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.). “While some politicians in Richmond focus on banning abortion and books, what they’re not doing is helping people.”
“Virginia is where I grew up, where I am raising my own family, and where I intend to build a stronger future for the next generation of Virginians,” Spanberger said in a statement announcing her bid. “As a former CIA case officer, former federal law enforcement officer, and current Member of Congress, I have always believed in the value of public service. I look forward to serving the Seventh District through the end of this term and then pursuing the important work of bringing Virginia together to keep our Commonwealth strong.”
Spanberger will be running to replace Youngkin, who will be stepping down from the position due to Virginia’s term limits that bar governors from serving consecutive terms.
According to political experts, with Spanberger’s retirement in the House it sets the stage for a competitive race in 2024. With the Democrat leaving there is now an open key seat in Virginia, a state that has been more competitive over the past few election cycles.
Multiple Republicans have already announced runs for the seat in hopes to be able to flip the it as a key pickup opportunity to expand their slim majority in the House next year.
“Nothing is going right for Democrats in Virginia’s Seventh District, but the NRCC is all hands on deck to flip this now-open seat and grow the House Republican majority,” Delanie Bomar, spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement moments after Spanberger’s announcement. “Spanberger joining the other swing-district Democrats racing for the exits makes House Democrats’ climb out of the minority that much steeper.”
Meanwhile, all 435 seats will be up for grabs in 2024 as Republicans look to hold onto their slim majority in the lower chamber.
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