Students contribute to Spanberger campaign

by HARSHA RAVURI

Staff Writer

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger secured her place on the primary elections ballot with an overwhelming show of support, collecting four times the required number of signatures. 

Among those who contributed to this effort were students from the University of Mary Washington, particularly members of the UMW Young Democrats, who played a crucial role in gathering signatures and mobilizing their peers.

Shadwick Yoder, president of the organization, expressed his excitement about the possibility of electing Virginia’s first female governor. 

“The kind of support from the party and voters seen for Spanberger now makes me very excited about the potential of electing our first female governor of Virginia,” he said.

Spanberger, who represented Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District from 2019 until January of this year, has a strong connection to UMW and Fredericksburg. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to our volunteers who spent long hours distributing petitions, talking to their neighbors, and putting us on the path to victory in November,” Spanberger said in a press release. 

Since the beginning of her Congressional career, Spanberger has engaged with the campus community, hiring UMW students to work in her congressional offices, on subsequent campaigns for reelection and making frequent visits to the university. Now, as she seeks to become Virginia’s first female governor, some students are rallying behind her.

The UMW Young Democrats dedicated much of the semester to gathering signatures for Spanberger and other Democratic candidates. 

Yoder explained that their approach combined on-campus tabling, door-to-door outreach and individual efforts from members who carried petitions with them throughout the day.

“One of the most successful signature-collecting efforts we did was tabling in front of the University Center,” he said. “We handed out Young Dems buttons, played music and had snacks, which drew in a lot of students to sign the petitions.”

Beyond tabling, club members made it a habit to collect signatures before and after meetings, between classes and at campus events. 

Alexandra Pasto, vice president of the UMW Young Democrats, noted that many students were motivated by a desire to challenge the Republican trifecta in Virginia.

“I believe that students are fueled with general motivation to dissolve the Republican trifecta,” Pasto said. “I also know many students have felt Spanberger’s leadership and wish to see her do more, continuing her legacy and leadership as Governor.”

UMW Young Democrats ultimately contributed hundreds of signatures to Spanberger’s campaign.

“While there will always be calls for more partisan action, Spanberger has been effective as a moderate willing to work across the aisle,” Yoder said. 

Several students at UMW recognize their potential to influence elections, particularly in Fredericksburg, where their votes can sway local races. 

“Involvement from students in campaigns like this shows the importance of young voters,” Yoder said. 

The primary is June 17 and early, in-person voting begins on May 2 and goes until June 14. The gubernatorial election will be held on Nov. 4,  and early voting begins on Sept. 19.