In November, Virginians elected me as their 75th governor by the largest margin of victory for a Democrat in modern history, in part because I focused on one major issue: affordability.
Across Virginia, I heard from families in every community and in every part of our Commonwealth about the impact of high costs. I met seniors struggling to afford prescription drugs, parents worried about rising utility bills, and college graduates just entering the workforce who couldn’t find housing they could afford.
But I also heard a loud chorus from another group: business leaders. Wherever I traveled, I met executives and entrepreneurs who were struggling to find the right candidates for job openings and who were increasingly concerned that Virginia’s best employees and talent were being priced out of the Commonwealth.
The numbers reflect these concerns. According to recent polls, more than 70% of Virginians believe there are not enough homes available that they can afford to rent or buy. And nationally, nearly half of Americans say daily expenses are difficult to afford.
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Virginia’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, celebrates as she takes the stage during her election rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on November 4, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Financial pressures don’t just put pressure on household budgets; they shape where people can build their lives. The U.S. Census Bureau found that nearly half of Virginia students leave within five years of graduating — a rate above the national average. If people want to work here, they must be able to work, afford a house and ultimately build a life here. They should not be forced to move across the country or wait on the sidelines because of the costs of their health care or housing.
High costs are not only a concern for quality of life, but also an issue of economic competitiveness. If we do nothing, we risk slower economic growth, lower tax revenues, and declining productivity – consequences that would hurt Virginia for decades to come.
That’s why I said my next administration will be relentlessly focused on making Virginia more affordable – so we can attract and retain the best workers, companies and business leaders. As Governor, I will ensure Virginians have every reason to stay here and build their future. At the same time, I will help employees and businesses across the country understand why we are the best place to start a career or grow a business.
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Addressing the affordability crisis starts with ensuring Virginians know they can find a home or apartment that meets their needs and budget. My administration will work to eliminate outdated policies that make it harder to build, follow the success of other states by establishing a revolving loan fund to encourage mixed-income development, and give localities the power to protect affordable housing in their communities.
A thriving workforce also needs access to affordable and accessible healthcare. The threats to the Affordable Care Act, massive federal cuts to the health care safety net, and the reduced number of health care providers – especially in rural Virginia – are putting the health and safety of Virginians at risk.
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These are tough challenges, but my administration is prepared to find viable solutions to protect Virginians’ access to affordable coverage – whether through the ACA Marketplace or Medicaid. We will also focus on reducing costs for patients at the pharmacy counter, in part by cracking down on predatory practices by pharmacy benefit managers that drive up the cost of prescription drugs.
Finally, both consumers and businesses deserve the security that comes with a predictable energy bill. Here in Virginia, we will prioritize increasing energy generation to meet rising demand, including by supporting our leading offshore wind industry and making it easier to install solar energy in common-sense locations like rooftops and parking lots. We will also build on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s work to encourage companies to develop next-generation energy technology, such as the world’s first commercial fusion power plant being built right here in Virginia.
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High costs are not only a concern for quality of life, but also an issue of economic competitiveness.
By lowering the cost of living, we can give Virginians the confidence to bet on themselves and take the kind of risks that drive our economy – whether that means developing new skills that match employment opportunities in their region, pursuing higher education to increase future income, or starting a business to provide their families with long-term financial freedom. As the next Governor of Virginia, I am willing to work with anyone, including President Donald Trump, to make life cheaper. Because the high costs and inability to retain and attract top talent to Virginia affects everyone – regardless of party affiliation, and regardless of whether your company has five or five thousand employees.
Virginia competes with 49 states and the District of Columbia for both the best talent in America and the companies that inevitably follow that talent. As governor, I want Virginia to dominate.
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