As the 7th District congressional race enters its final stretch, both candidates are sparing no expense in getting their points across.

Yesterday at Montclair Tabernacle Church, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega was joined by Governor Glenn Youngkin, Congressman Chip Roy, and Senator Ted Cruz to address her constituents. On Tuesday, it was her opponent, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger’s opportunity to speak to the voters of Dumfries.

As early voting began in Virginia’s oldest town, several supporters visited the Dumfries Community Center to hear the Congresswoman speak. However, she was not the only representative to talk about the key issues that are important to voters. Joining her were Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood, Potomac District Supervisor Andrea Bailey, Delegate Luke Torian, and South Carolina Congressman and House Majority Whip James Clyburn. During the event, each of the elected officials addressed the importance of voting in the midterm elections.

Wood, who is running for re-election as well, touted the success of Dumfries as becoming a destination town, calling it the “southeast gateway to Washington, DC.” He also discussed how they have secured funding for infrastructure, collective bargaining, raises for town employees, and future plans to expand Main Street. “We have truly become a place where people drive to, and not just through,” he said. In addition, he publicized the accomplishments of Spanberter and how she will work hard for the people of the 7th District.

Supervisor Bailey spoke with the PW Perspective about the importance of the event. “This couldn’t be a better day to have Congressman Clyburn here; it’s such a blessing to have him here,” she said. “There are so many changes taking place in our community, and this is a part of what we are doing to get Abigail Spanberger in the seat to continue the work.”

Speaking of which, the incumbent Congressional representative next addressed the audience, crediting Delegate Torian and other delegates for making early voting a reality. “It makes it possible for people to cast their ballot; it makes it possible for people to recognize that their voice is their vote, and their vote is how they make themselves heard,” she said. “I love the job of representing the people.”

Some of the items she states she will do is lower healthcare costs, investing in infrastructure, and reducing inflation costs. Afterwards, she introduced the longtime Congressman Clyburn.

He recognized that some voters had already taken advantage of the early voting in Dumfries. “In order for a democracy to be effective, you have to be able to bring people to the table.”

The former history teacher brought his several years of wisdom to the audience, discussing the importance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act had originally included voting rights and fair housing, but was removed so it could be passed later on, as they were in 1965 and 1972 respectfully. He related that to how President Biden has worked in language to have the American Rescue Plan and Build Back America to benefit local governments like Dumfries. “We know what happens in states when these governors don’t have the sensitivity that they need for local governments,” he said, “we get things like the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi. We were not going to run that risk in Virginia!”

He also spoke about the bi-partisan infrastructure bill but how they weren’t going to do things by the “traditional” methods. “We knew what that meant, but we would not let that happen,” he stated, emphasizing how they could get broadband in schools and rural areas to help families through the pandemic. He informed the audience that while they were able to negotiate $65 billion out of the proposed $95 million in the Build Back Better Plan, “We got 2/3 of what we need, let’s hold this House, let’s get this Senate, and we’ll get the other 1/3 by this time next year!”

Afterwards, the PW Perspective asked Spanberger on her plan to solve the rising crime rates within the 7th District. “I’ll continue to advocate for common sense and reasonable and broadly supported gun violence prevention legislation. We have voted on a number of pieces of legislation within the House, passing with bi-partisan support. We’ve passed the bi-partisan Safer Communities Act is legislation that we passed into law, sent to the President’s desk, that takes meaningful steps forward in making our communities safer. I will continue to focus on this issue, particularly as a former law enforcement officer, we have to do more to keep our kids safe.”

Clyburn then responded. “I think it’s a bit unfair for people to label of one person who is a Democrat to all Democrats. I support law enforcement, but I also support those families at Emmanuel (AME Church, where nine people were killed by a white supremacist in Charleston, SC in 2015). Those people needed the protection of some gun laws that they did not get, simply because there was a big loophole in it. You ought not to be an anti-policeman if you want to close a loophole to keep a demented person from getting their hands on a gun. Tell that to the people of Buffalo that we should allow a demented young man to get his hands on a gun. That’s all we are trying to do, is make communities safe, and make every church, school, and grocery store safe.”

On Wednesday, October 26th, both Vega and Spanberger will join 10th Congressional district candidates Jennifer Wexton and Hung Cao in a virtual debate.