RICHMOND, Va. — The SEIU Virginia State Council, which represents more than 11,000 Virginians employed as home care workers, security officers, airport personnel, county and city employees, and other private and public employees across the Commonwealth, today endorsed Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.

“Abigail is exactly the kind of Governor Virginia workers deserve — a leader we can trust to take decisive action to defend our rights, fight for working families, protect hard-earned health and retirement benefits, and respect all working Virginians, no matter where we were born or the color of our skin,” said Jaime Contreras, SEIU Virginia State Council Chair. “Abigail will make sure Virginia workers have a seat at the table — and a champion in Richmond. We’re proud to endorse her to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.”

“I’m grateful to earn the SEIU Virginia State Council’s endorsement, and I’m proud to stand alongside workers across the Commonwealth in building a better future for all Virginians. SEIU employees work every day to keep our families healthy, care for Virginia’s seniors, and protect our communities — and they deserve a voice to advocate for better wages, quality healthcare, and fair treatment in their workplaces,” said Spanberger. “Supporting Virginia’s workforce and economy should never be a partisan issue — and as Virginia’s next Governor, I will defend workers’ rights, create good-paying jobs, and stand up to attacks on Virginia’s workforce.”

“All working families deserve to thrive. For far too long, home care providers and other frontline workers have been ignored, under-paid, and left out of basic labor protections because this work is disproportionately fulfilled by Black, Brown, API, and immigrant women. We all deserve better and we deserve to have a Governor who will fight to make our communities better,” said Samira Brooks, a home care provider for over 25 years and member of SEIU Virginia 512. “When we swear in Abigail Spanberger, we will be sending a message that working Virginians want higher wages, paid family and medical leave, and the freedom to collectively bargain — that we want the power to create more of the good jobs that will build a Virginia for all. Abigail Spanberger is committed to empowering working people, and I can’t wait to vote for her this November.”

“I know firsthand how important an ally like Abigail Spanberger is to the working people of Virginia,” said Carlos Duran, a commercial cleaner and member of 32BJ SEIU. “Last year I was fired from my job because a new company came in and refused to hire me or my coworkers to continue cleaning the building. We need a Governor who will sign Worker Retention legislation and protect good union jobs. We need a Governor who will be a shield and a voice for immigrants’ rights that are constantly attacked. We need Abigail Spanberger. She will be a leader for the working people of Virginia, and that’s why my 32BJ brothers and sisters and I are supporting her in becoming the next Governor of Virginia.”

BACKGROUND

In Congress, Spanberger built a reputation for focusing on the issues that matter most — creating good-paying jobs, strengthening our public schools, and increasing opportunity for every Virginian.

As Virginia’s next Governor, Abigail will always help working Virginians —  and she has made clear her commitment to investing in job training, lowering costs for working families, and pushing back against threats to Virginians’ livelihoods.

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