Arlington, VA – With over 8,000 members who live throughout Virginia and work at universities, airports, hotels and casinos, UNITE HERE Locals 23 and Local 25 today announced their support for Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor.

“Working people in Virginia deserve leaders who will make life more affordable and bring smart economic growth and good jobs to the Commonwealth, not play political games with our workforce while paying lip service to the White House,” said Samuel Epps, political director of UNITE HERE Local 25. “Abigail Spanberger has proven time and time again that she will defend our rights, fight for working families, and always do what’s best for the Commonwealth — and we’re proud to endorse her to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.”

“I am grateful for UNITE HERE’s work to uplift the voices of Virginia workers, and I’m proud to earn their endorsement to serve as the next Governor of Virginia. UNITE HERE helps bring better wages, stronger healthcare benefits, and a voice in their workplace to Virginia’s workers,” said Spanberger. “Together, we can create better-paying, family-sustaining jobs for Virginians in every corner of the Commonwealth and a stronger economy that offers more opportunity for everyone. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will defend workers’ rights, protect their hard-earned retirements, and stand up to attacks on Virginia’s workforce.”

“When we won our union, that changed my life because I have a voice at work and don’t have to endure disrespect,” said Akylah Loving, a lead food service worker working for Aramark at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. “I’m excited to knock on doors for Abigail Spanberger to be our next Governor because every worker on our campus and in our community deserves to be heard.”

Over the past 4 years, UNITE HERE members have knocked on over 600,000 doors in support of Virginia Democrats. The union is one of the fastest growing private-sector unions in the Commonwealth, with over 3,000 workers joining the union since 2022 in Norfolk, Williamsburg, Harrisonburg, Danville, Richmond, Fredericksburg, and across Northern Virginia. UNITE HERE members in Northern Virginia are primarily immigrants and majority African American in Norfolk, Williamsburg, Richmond and Danville.