Common Defense Veterans Endorse Spanberger and Sherrill in Governor Races
Washington, DC – Today, Common Defense, the nation’s largest grassroots organization of veterans and military families, proudly announces our endorsement of Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia and Mikie Sherrill for Governor of New Jersey.
Common Defense represents more than 550,000 veterans, military family members, and civilian allies across the country. Veterans know what real leadership looks like: service before self, a commitment to community, and the courage to fight for what’s right. Spanberger and Sherrill have lived those values in public service, and they’re ready to lead their states with integrity and a clear focus on working families and veterans.
Jose Vasquez, U.S. Army veteran and Executive Director of Common Defense, released the following statement:
“We are proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in their respective Governors races. As veterans, we judge leaders by what they do when it counts. Spanberger has stood up for veterans and military families at every turn—including supporting lifesaving care through the Honoring Our PACT Act—while keeping her focus on kitchen table issues that matter in every community. Sherrill, a Navy veteran who currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, brings the steadiness and accountability we expect from a Commander and a public servant. She’s worn the uniform and more importantly, has never stopped fighting for those who’ve served and the communities they come from. Common Defense is proud to stand with them”
Virginia native Naveed Shah, U.S. Army veteran and Political Director at Common Defense, said:
“Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with veterans and working families from day one. As a proud Virginian, I’ve seen firsthand how Spanberger has been a strong ally to our state’s veterans and a key partner to our congressional delegation. I have no doubt she’ll bring that same integrity and innovation to the Governor’s office. Mikie Sherrill has been a tireless advocate for working people, fighting to ensure opportunity and dignity for every family she represents. Both of these leaders have taken on powerful interests, and earned the trust of working families, and who deliver results with no excuses. This is the type of leadership the moment calls for.”
###
Common Defense Civic Engagement (501c4) (CDCE) is a grassroots, veteran-led organization that was founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props, and Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who truly share our values.