Spanberger: "We’re going produce more energy and we’re going to lower energy costs. We are going to produce more energy here in Virginia and make sure that data centers pay their fair share." She also campaigned on lowering the cost of homes, cracking down on pharmaceutical prices and making data centers pay their fair share.

Governor-elect Spanberger: "Now that the campaign is over, the real work begins. We are going to work to lower costs of renting, buying, or staying in your home. We're going to lower health care costs. We are going to lower energy costs, and we're gonna do it by producing more energy here in Virginia"

Socialism would be one way of implementing those goals. Republicans say they are going to do those things by cutting taxes and regulations for example. Literally today Trump posted "Our Economy is BOOMING, and Costs are coming way down. Affordability is our goal." Granted he's lying about costs coming way down, but if just talking about affordability is socialism, then Trump's a socialist and not the national socialist type for once.

Has Spanberger talked about starting government grocery stores and rent control?

Virginia is not NYC. And if you want to insist we try to spread socialism everywhere you’re missing the point AOC made last night.

Spanberger isn't going to fight "Socialism".

This nation has no idea what "Socialism" is, except a convenient Whipping Boy for the Right.

So awesome Mamdani quoted Eugene Debs in his speech

Hopefully thousands of keyboards clacking "Google: Who is Eugene Debs"

It's laughable how well it works on the nation's brainwashed olds.

My sister fell down that rabbit hole after years of being an Independent voter. My brother-in-law must be proud after trying to win her over for years.

You can bet your ass she knows what "socialism" is.

The point is that all politics are local. Mamdani's approach may work well in NYC, but it wouldn't work in purple Virginia. Affordability, health care costs, and clean energy have universal appeal.

The friggin' Public Library is Socialism.

Socialism isn't equivalent to Communism. Its isn't equivalent to Totalitarianism.

Whatever it is, I doubt Spanberger is going to fight it as Gov of VA.

Americans support progressive, “socialist” policies by large majorities, even if most of them identify as “moderate” or “conservative”.

Just because Republicans have successfully transformed the word Liberal into a pejorative epithet, doesn’t mean Americans oppose policies that would benefit them and protect their rights.

...as long as your policies favor the working class, and you can send that message loud and clear.

These little litmus test pissing contests are not very interesting anymore. Every place is unique anyway. Hard to compare what works in VA vs NYC.

..including attaching the ignorant “communist” label. I wish a reporter would ask that question the next time it’s thrown out..just what is a _______?

Does she want to end Medicare?

Would she like to privatize the Interstate highway system?

Close all public schools?

Defund the police and fire departments?

It all depends on how you define socialism.

Not the same thing.

What works in New York City may not even work in Rochester or Albany.

And Virginia is an entirely different state with different priorities. Its democratic shift is also relatively recent, but republicans have made sure to accelerate it dramatically. After all, who would have figured that massive government layoffs in a state where many of those employees live is a good idea?

local.