Gov. Spanberger Got It Right: Affordability Is the Defining Issue of Our Time
Earlier this week, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger spoke from the historic House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, the very room where Americans first dared to govern themselves, with a clear message: costs are too high, and leaders aren’t doing enough to bring them down. It’s a message we at Next American Era hear every day from working families, small business owners, and community leaders across the country.
Why Affordability Matters
Costs are crushing families on multiple fronts:
Groceries
Housing
Healthcare
Energy
Childcare
Governor Spanberger named these pressures directly—and she’s right. Donald Trump’s broad tariff policy has added real burdens for households, with estimates putting the cost for families at more than $1,700. Communities are also feeling the impact of rural health clinic closures and cuts to food programs for children. This is the reality for millions of Americans who are working hard and still falling behind.
What Smart, Pro-Growth Governance Looks Like
A strong economy isn’t zero-sum. It’s built when workers and businesses succeed together. That requires tackling real cost pressures head-on. In practice, that means:
Simplifying outdated rules that push jobs and investment away from communities
Building workforce pipelines that prepare Americans for good-paying jobs
Setting clear, stable standards so businesses can invest with confidence
Protecting consumers
Avoiding policy whiplash that disrupts supply chains and family budgets
Preserving rural hospitals and clinics that serve as community anchors
Growth policies only work when they actually reach people.
Results Over Ideology
Governor Spanberger emphasized something essential: good governance is about results, not ideology. She earned support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike—winning by 15 points—by focusing on the issues that matter most in people’s lives. Our economy works best when policy is grounded in today’s realities, working to build a better tomorrow.
A Moment That Demands More
The founders who built America didn’t accept the status quo—they demanded more. Today, Americans are doing the same: at the ballot box, in state legislatures, and in their communities. They want leaders who will lower costs, protect consumers, and invest in a future that works for everyone.
That’s the Next American Era we’re working to build: where opportunity stays local, work is rewarded, and innovation is fueled. Governor Spanberger made the stakes clear. Now it’s time for policymakers at every level to meet the moment.