Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger encountered boos at the Virginia Old Fiddlers’ Convention over the weekend. This cool reception comes as her poll numbers have dropped and following a difficult political attempt by Democrats to alter the state’s congressional map.
Upon her introduction and taking the stage at the decades-old Galax gathering, the Democratic governor received a mixed reaction from the audience. Video footage from the event showed some audience members expressing disapproval as Spanberger spoke briefly.
Despite this, Spanberger shared her experience at the event on social media, where she focused on the positive aspects of the occasion.
I’m in Galax. We just went to the Old Fiddlers’ Convention and I joined community members at the Poor Man’s Dinner,” she said. “It was an incredible time. There was great food, great music, and great community.”
Spanberger’s popularity has dipped only months into her governorship. A poll by Virginia Commonwealth University in July showed 44% of registered voters approved of her, while 47% disapproved.
Spanberger also emerged from a contentious fight over mid-decade redistricting. She supported the Democrats’ effort to significantly change Virginia’s congressional delegation. Although the proposal narrowly passed in April after a $70 million ballot campaign, it was later rejected by the Supreme Court of Virginia due to constitutional procedure issues.
This scenario presented an opportunity for Republicans to criticize Spanberger’s initial period as governor. They argued her efforts may have alienated some voters she had aimed to represent.
Republican Del. Tom Garrett, representing Virginia’s 56th District, cited the boos as reflecting discontent with her actions on redistricting.
She campaigned, and she was asked about doing a mid-decade redistrict to grab power and take voices away from people outside of Northern Virginia,” Garrett explained. “She said she wouldn’t do it and then she led the charge.”
Del. Wren Williams, whose district includes Galax, supported the crowd’s response, remarking on the absence of tangible results from Spanberger’s affordability agenda.
If you think about the affordability agenda that has been run on and that she has championed, where are the results of that?” Williams said. “And we know the millions of dollars spent trying to disenfranchise the exact individuals that she is now trying to come and pander.”
Despite the criticism, the governor’s office portrayed her visit in a positive light.
Governor Spanberger and her husband Adam had a wonderful time at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention and Poor Man’s Dinner in Galax this weekend — talking to many community members, enjoying the music and festivities, and celebrating the convention’s 90th year,” her office stated.
The Old Fiddlers’ Convention is a cherished Galax tradition, attracting musicians and visitors to celebrate bluegrass and old-time music. Spanberger’s experience at the event underscored the ongoing challenges she faces in regions outside Democratic strongholds in Virginia.