Va. Democratic Ticket Tours Eden Center Ahead of Nov. 4 Statewide Elections
Crowds jostled to catch a view of the blue message-festooned Democratic campaign tour bus rolling into Falls Church’s Eden Center – the largest collection of Vietnamese shops, stores, and restaurants on the East Coast, with over 120 family-owned small businesses – Friday afternoon, June 27.
The spectators had come to see Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, and Jay Jones – the slate of Democratic nominees running for, respectively, Virginia Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, in the Nov. 4 statewide elections.
Virginia and New Jersey will be the only states in the nation holding statewide elections this November, so each race will be viewed as a bellwether of the strength of Democratic party in the wake of President Trump’s 2024 electoral victory. Should each of the Democratic candidates on the slate win, the Commonwealth will see its first Democratic woman Governor, its first South Asian, Muslim, woman Lieutenant Governor, and its first Black Attorney General.
Stepping off the bus, the cheerful candidates appeared pumped-up for their first stop of the day, and seemed to enjoy campaigning as a trio dedicated to protecting Virginians who’ve been harmed by the “chaos and division coming out of Washington,” a clear messaging theme for their Eden Center tour, the first of several northern Virginia stops for the day.
In the press gaggle before the tour, The Falls Church Independent, asked Spanberger for her views on the concerns many Eden Center business owners have expressed over the possibility of economic displacement.
“I think it’s a challenge so many communities are facing,” Spanberger said. “As we’ve seen, not just with rising housing costs, but rising costs of commercial rentals as well. Many years ago, I lived in Arlington, and have spent my fair share of time here, for a dinner from time to time. So I’m well aware of the strength not just of the community, but for what it means to the people who own businesses here, who first called this home when they and their families first emigrated to the United States, and the vibrancy and the destination Eden Center has created for so many people across broader portions of northern Virginia. So I’ve rolled out my affordability and housing plan, but I recognize the challenges they face…. The commercial real estate side of it is real as well.”
As the candidates were ushered toward various restaurants and establishments, we were able to briefly chat with Ghazala Hashmi, candidate for Va. Lieutenant Governor.
Asked what issues the Democrats were looking to stress at Eden Center and in northern Virginia, Hashmi said, ‘We keep hearing as we go around northern Virginia, issues around the federal workforce, and the crisis we’re seeing coming from Washington is top of mind. And housing concerns are raised, of course. They’re everywhere in the state, but northern Virginia in particular. These are all very serious issues, but it’s mostly the crisis from D.C. and the impact it’s going to have. You know, small businesses like these at Eden Center are going to be affected as we see the loss of jobs. It’s concerning to everybody.”
Hashmi said the Democratic ticket, should it win in November, will be looking to form a coalition with other Democratic governors and Attorneys General to “press forward lawsuits and not just agree wholesale – as Gov. Youngkin has – to whatever Trump is doing.”
Asked how the Democratic ticket differs from the Va. Republican slate of Winsom Earl-Seares for Governor, John Reid for Lieutenant Governor, and Jason Miyares for Attorney General, Hashmi laughed and said, “First of all, we’re cohesive. We actually like each other. We’re on a bus together and traveling around. But, I don’t think they’ve actually even met in person and they have yet to do a joint appearance or even a joint press statement. So that’s the first sign there’s discord and a lack of unity in their party.”
“But, more importantly for voters, the fact that we’re really focused on issues that impact the life of Virginians,” Hashmi continued. “The other side is focused on cultural wars. They’re focused on name-calling. My opponent [John Reid] has already embarked his campaign on childish name-calling against me, rather than actually focusing on the issues that matter to voters. Now, I’m talking about education, I’m talking about health care. As Chair of Education and Health [in the Va. Senate], these are the issues that I’ve been fighting for. As a lifelong educator, I know how to move forward on the policies that impact the lives of Virginians. But, we’ve got an opponent who just wants to engage in the politics of Donald Trump.”
Next, we encountered Alan Frank, vice president and general counsel of Eden Center. Asked what he thought of the Democrats visiting Eden Center on their northern Virginia tour, Frank said, “It’s become a routine thing for candidates for Congress, for state government, and even President, to visit Eden Center and I think that shows they care about the Asian-American vote. And we’re really happy about that. It used to be that they’d ignore us, but here they are. And we’re happy to have them. And, it raises awareness in the local Vietnamese community, and they reach out. So, it’s nice.”
City of Falls Church Vice Mayor Debbie Hiscott was also pleased to see the candidates touring Eden Center. “I think it’s fantastic to have the Democratic nominees for our state government here in the City of Falls Church. It’s so important we’re well represented and have witness to what we’ve got here at Eden Center, with over 120 small businesses that represent such great culture and food, the Lunar New Year festivals, and all the things we have the opportunity to do here…. It’s like traveling the world in your own back yard. So, it’s really exciting to show it off to those who may be less familiar with it and to bring them into the City of Falls Church. And we want them to come back again and again and again.”
Hiscott’s “optimistic” for the Democrats this November. “I think it would be great for the Commonwealth and great for business in northern Virginia,” she said.
Snapping photos as the Falls Church City Chronicler, former Council member Phil Duncan, stopped to have a chat. “It’s exciting,” Duncan said of the candidates’ visit. “They made Falls Church one of the key stops on their northern Virginia bus tour. I think that’s an acknowledgement that this is a heavy voting and generally progressive area where the ticket ought to run well. It really needs to connect with the local business community and the Eden Center is a great place to do that.”
Duncan is also supporting the Democratic ticket. “I think they represent the future of the Commonwealth, which to me is very promising,” he said. “I know we’re going through some tough times now with some of the cutbacks in the federal workforce definitely affecting people at their kitchen tables. I mean, there are people in Falls Church who are looking for work who are well educated and worked hard all their lives and through no fault of their own, are in a tough spot right now…. And, I think the ticket here represents the future of Virginia in terms of ethnic variety and the positions represented.”
One person in the crowd, Falls Church resident Debra Shushan, was quite attuned to the significance of the fall elections. “We have an extremely important election here in northern Virginia and we have a chance not only to change the politics in Richmond, which I think is extremely important in and of itself, but Virginians have an incredible opportunity to send a message that will reverberate around the country and I’m here for it.”
Asked what issues concern her the most, Shushan paused for a long while. “Hmmm, where to start?... Well, I have not been pleased with the leadership Gov. Youngkin has brought to Richmond over the last three years and I want to see a government there that’s going to fight for the interests and rights of all Virginians, including those of us here in northern Virginia who’ve really suffered in the last several months under the Trump administration.”
“The DOGE cutbacks and also our fundamental rights and freedoms in so many ways,” Shushan continued. “....The whole country is going to have its eyes on [Virginia and New Jersey] this fall. And I came out to the No Kings protest here in our tiny City of Falls Church. And I was amazed by the energy and the turnout and I absolutely believe that same kind of energy is going to be certainly here in northern Virginia, and I hope for the entire state to make the change we most definitely need.”
Soon the crowd following the candidates assembled in an Eden Center dining hall to hear candidate speeches, nibble on generous samplings of Vietnamese cuisine, and pick up some campaign merch.
Opening the event, City of Falls Church Mayor Hardi, the City’s first Asian-American mayor, described Eden Center as “emblematic” of her political vision, representing “the best of the Commonwealth – diverse, dynamic, and full of promise.”
Virginia, Hardi said, “is a place of opportunity where diversity is celebrated and we recognize and honor our past and where we come from. We also invest in our future, and the fundamentals we all care about: housing, public education, health care… all which make us grow and create new opportunities.”
Turning toward the candidates, Hardi said she found out she shares three things with Abigail Spanberger. Both have an August birthday. Each attended the University of Virginia. “Wahoowa!,” she added. And, each has three kids. “But most of all, I’m really proud that we both share a relentless focus on getting things done… But, you’ll find that Abigail is more bad-ass than me.” [Laughs].
“We’re so excited to be in Falls Church and have a tour of the Eden Center!,” Va. Attorney General candidate, Jay Jones, said after taking the mic. “And I’ve got to say, I’m so proud to be on a ticket with Ghazala Hashmi and Abigail Spanberger…. And, I’ll tell you, we actually like each other! [Applause]. We actually talk to each other, we get on a bus together, because this ticket is united and moving in the same direction to make Virginia better because we put people first. Always, always, always!” [Applause].
“I am Jay Jones, I’m running to be your next Attorney General. I am just a small town boy from Norfolk, Virginia, the son and grandson of civil rights leaders,” Jones said by way of introduction.
“....And when we were in the General Assembly, we expanded civil rights. We increased teacher pay, we raised the minimum wage, we expanded Medicaid – all things that are so deeply important to all of us across this Commonwealth,” Jones continued. And as Assistant Attorney General, I took on the gun lobby, we went after corporate special interests, we sued landlords, and we protected people.... And then I sued Glen Youngkin to protect voting rights.” [Applause.]
“And for the last few years, Jason Miyares has been letting Virginians get ripped off by corporations who’ve been jacking up prices, by landlords who’ve been exploiting renters,” Jones continued. “Things that make it challenging for people living day in and day out. We need an Attorney General who’s going to be going after price gougers, who’s going to combat housing discrimination, who’s going to protect civil rights and civil liberties in this Commonwealth, including for our communities of color and our diverse communities as well.”
With the crowd worked up by Jones, Hashmi, a former professor of English Literature, then took the stage. Soon she launched into an eloquent speech, her cadences rising rhythmically to inspire the audience with every line. “It is absolutely delightful to be here and to make sure we highlight the ongoing work of this amazing center, Eden Center, and all of the immigrant communities represented here. This is personally very meaningful to me and it just feels like such a warm and hospitable place,” she began.
“Just a quick introduction to myself. I am State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, representing the city of Richmond and Chesterfield county. I’m in my second term now. And I chair the Senate Committee on Education and Health,” she said.
Then, in a surprising pivot, Hashmi referred humorously to her studies of American poetry to highlight themes of diversity and the American identity, showcasing the themes of the day. “But, before I ran for office, you know, I spent 30 years in higher education. [Applause]. And I like to say that I was a mild-mannered English professor. But, you know, there’s nothing really mild-mannered about English professors, right? [Laughs]. We’re the ones who are teaching the books that other people are trying to ban.” [Applause].
“But more specifically, I taught American Literature, and that was so much a part of the reason I ran for office in the first place in 2019,” Hashmi continued. “You know this country had just elected an individual who was the antithesis of everything I was teaching to my students about those foundational texts of America and what defines who and what we are. And I just knew I had to stand up and speak out because of the xenophobia, the racism that was being disseminated unchecked in this country.”
“But more specifically, it was my foundation in American poetry that really gave me the powerful reason to run,” Hashmi continued. “And I always harken back to my favorite American poet, and that is Walt Whitman. And being here today reminds me so much of the lines of Whitman’s poetry where Whitman tries to encompass the full range and breadth of our diverse American identity. And the lovely line that he has is: ‘I hear America singing.’ And when he says, ‘I hear America singing,’ he’s talking about each of us, the full length and breadth of our experiences that come to define and shape who and what we are as a country. I hear America singing.”
“And every time I’m in communities where I see the vast diversity that makes up our populations here and in Virginia and across the country, I always hear that Song of America that Walt Whitman tried to encompass,” Hashmi intoned. “And then it was in the 1920s where a young Black poet in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance picks up on that same idea of the ‘Song of America,’ and Langston Hughes dares to say as a Black man in America, ‘I, too, sing America.’” Grandly, Hashmi then urged the crowd: “Lay claim to that American identity that really belongs to each and every one of us.”
“And that was an inspiration to me, so in 2019, I asked everyone in the Commonwealth to support me and to let me say that ‘I, too, sing America.’ That I lay claim to this American identity that doesn’t just belong to one group, but belongs to each and every one of us, and so many of my friends and voters and supporters. We sent out a loud message that Ghazala Hashmi is an American name.”
“And being here today is a powerful reminder of the work ahead, because, sadly, we’ve got Donald Trump back in office, someone who is running again on the policies of discrimination, bigotry, and xenophobia, that is absolutely the antithesis of who and what we are as a country.”
“And everywhere we’ve been going across this Commonwealth, I’m asking everyone to help us send a loud message in 2025 that the very first word of our beloved American Constitution is a pronoun,” Hashmi said. “And that pronoun is ‘We.’ It’s an inclusive pronoun. It means and represents each and every one of us. And when we talk about the work we are doing it is for the sake of every community that belongs to this country. It’s ‘We the People’ of this Commonwealth that are going to send a loud message this November that we reject the policies of division and that we’re fighting for the real America because we know the Song of America. It is intrinsic to each and every one of us.”
“...And we’re going to elect the very first women Democratic Governor here in Virginia, let’s welcome Abigail Spanberger!” [Applause].
Taking the stage to raucous applause by the standing audience, Spanberger delivered her remarks in an earnest, less stem-winding approach, careful to hit all the themes of the day.
“Eden Center is an essential part of Falls Church, and an essential part of northern Virginia,” Spanberger began. “And, I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend some time talking with the business owners here about the challenges and the hurdles and the joys they’ve faced. And I think I speak for all three of us when I say that it is one more reason why I am deeply motivated to win this November. Because community members and business owners and people who believe deeply in the value of delicious food and community spaces and places of celebration and coming together, need a Governor, a Lieutenant Governor, and an Attorney General who will stand up for those faces, for those places, for those people, for the drivers of the economy.”
“And the reality is, in this moment with division and chaos coming out of Washington and tariff policies impacting business owners like those here in the Eden Center – or frankly anywhere across Virginia – we need a Governor who is going to clearly speak of the impact the bad policies out of D.C. have on Virginians.”
“When we have more than 320,000 federal employees who call Virginia home, some of whom have lost their jobs, and many of whom worry for their friends and neighbors, that’s an impact on their livelihoods,” Spanberger continued. “It also impacts our economy and our communities. And we need a Governor who will stand up for our fellow Virginians…. Rejecting the chaos, in support of our communities, and ultimately our Commonwealth.”
Describing the political priorities for Democrats in Richmond “to move our communities forward,” Spanberger highlighted the need to “support small business owners and community members and address their greatest challenges,” as well as “issues of affordability, housing, energy, and health care, and issues that are forward-looking, like how do we ensure that our public schools are the best in the nation, so that all of our kids have every opportunity to head off into their career or head off to college, that whatever they might dream of, it’s an opportunity for them to pursue.”
Returning to Eden Center as a metaphor both for the benefits of diversity and as a symbol of the American dream, Spanberger then concluded, “In this space, each store or restaurant or business or boba tea shop is unique and different. And I’m going to just harken back to the boba tea place where we just went, where it looks like an airplane [inside], and the only thing you can think when you walk in is, ‘This was someone’s dream.’ And now it is real. And when you look at what it means to see communities come together in places that were clearly once just a dream, we need a Governor, and we need a ticket, and we need state legislators who are focused on making sure the foundation is strong and that we are standing up for communities and for Virginians every time there is chaos coming out of Washington.”
“Because ultimately we need a Governor who wants to govern and not just grandstand,” Spanberger said to applause. “And we need to reject the chaos that is so aggressively hurting our communities. I’m so grateful to all of you for being here. Thank you to everyone from Falls Church who has welcomed us. We’ve had such a wonderful visit. And, Madam Mayor, you’re an incredible host as always. [Applause]. We’re going to do the hard work to win in November. Frankly, in my view, there’s really no other choice but to win and to set an example for the country of what is possible. And then in January, set an example for the country in how we will govern. Thank you so much for welcoming us!”
Here's an Instagram Reel we posted of the Eden Center visit:
For more in-depth reporting on Eden Center, see our recent articles here:
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones
By Christopher Jones
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