During a visit to the nearly century-old Fiddlers’ Convention in Southwestern Virginia, Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger faced criticism. Local state delegate Wren Williams compared her unfavorably to Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Clinton once surprised the hosts of New York’s “Breakfast Club” by saying she regularly carries hot sauce in her purse, a comment criticized for pandering to Southern and Black voters during her 2016 presidential race.
Republican Delegate Wren Williams, representing Galax where the event took place, expressed pride in his constituents for expressing their feelings strongly. He noted Spanberger’s attempts appeared as pandering to rural residents opposed to several of her priorities, including a redistricting effort halted by the courts.
[It was] about like Hillary Clinton and her hot sauce – nobody was buying it,” Williams said.
Spanberger and public safety chief Stanley Meador, a Galax native, were booed after Meador introduced her. Meador previously served as an FBI special agent during an incident that attracted congressional scrutiny.
Williams commented that the residents of Galax and neighboring Carroll County have felt ignored by Spanberger. He described their reaction as justified, mentioning the governor’s attempts to disarm them and force them into a single congressional district.
The proposal by Richmond Democrats, which Virginia’s Supreme Court blocked, would have placed Galax at the edge of the only remaining Republican district. State House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore argued that the Southwest Virginians showed their disapproval of Spanberger’s policies affecting their congressional representation, Second Amendment rights, and energy costs.
Former Attorney General Jason Miyares, a leader in opposing Spanberger’s redistricting effort, said the crowd’s response was predictable.
“Governor Spanberger booed in Galax. When you break your campaign promise, attempt a leftist power grab, and push unconstitutional gerrymandering, the results are evident,” Miyares said.
Other critics on social media highlighted Democratic strength in Northern Virginia against their opposition in more rural areas. Some applauded Spanberger for attending the event despite weak electoral support.
Fox News Digital reached out to Spanberger and Clinton for comment. Spanberger was praised by some for attending despite her electoral challenges in the area.