When 15 IBEW leaders from Virginia met with the likely next governor of Virginia, they didn’t just bring a few talking points.
They greeted former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger with a 10-point priority list, and asked detailed questions about each one. The topics included data centers, wage theft and worker misclassification, project labor agreements, and renewable energy.
The bottom line: after four years under term-limited Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, the IBEW Virginia State Electrical Association heard enough to commit to supporting Spanberger in the Nov. 4 contest.
It was a lively back-and forth between Spanberger and IBEW business managers, said Richmond Local 666 business manager Charles Skelly, who hosted the 45-minute meeting.
“Even if we can’t get everything we want, we can work together to accomplish a lot of things that are important to our members,” Skelly said. “She wants to learn our perspective.”
The IBEW leaders included members from every corner of the state and a wide range of classifications. Much of the discussion centered on meeting the state’s rising energy demands.
“The meeting was encouraging,” said Newport News business manager Jeff Rowe, who is also the president of the state electrical association. “She understands the critical need for power generation, not just for existing demand but for future growth in Virginia.”
Chris Samples, Fourth District international representative, said this year the IBEW has an opportunity to help elect a governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general who will advance the interests of working families.
Spanberger has been consistently polling ahead of her opponent.
Zoom out: Spanberger is a former CIA officer who served three terms in Congress representing the Richmond area. She is a moderate who visited Washington, D.C. Local 26 in Manassas, Va. in July, when Business Manager Chris Cash said Spanberger will “be a champion for the next generation in Richmond.”
Early voting in Virginia starts on Sept. 19. If you have not voted in recent elections or if you have moved since the last time you voted, you may need to register. The last date you can register to vote is Oct. 24.