(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

Spanberger attends an event recognizing the local Asian American and Pacific Islander community

BY RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITER

With election day right around the corner, candidates are making their final rounds throughout the state with the intention of locking in every vote. 

In one of her many stops around Virginia during her “Virginia Votes Bus Tour,” gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger visited Soricha Tea and Theater, a Korean tea house in Annandale, Va. to recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. 

Annandale, known for its large Korean-American population, has become a key area for politicians to visit because of its ties to the AAPI community.

As attendees entered the tea house on Oct. 30, they checked in with campaign staff and passed through metal detectors operated by private security. The tea house was filled to capacity, with attendees standing along the back wall and holding campaign signs.

Spanberger was welcomed with a standing ovation and cheers from supporters, including former and current representatives and delegates of the local and state government.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

Delegate Kathy Tran, representing the 18th district of Va., welcomed attendees to the event and acknowledged other high profile attendees including former Virginia Delegates Mark Keam and Ken Plum, as well as current delegate JJ Singh. 

City of Falls Church Mayor Letty Hardi and Democratic Asian Americans of Va. Caucus Chair Shyamali Hauth was also in the crowd during the event. 

Tran then introduced Amanda Chiem, Soricha’s assistant manager, who conducted a traditional Korean tea ceremony. The ceremony is a centuries-old practice that emphasizes harmony, tranquility and mindfulness.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

When asked about the significance of the experience, Chiem said, “I do the tea service every day for customers, so it was just another service.” 

Following the traditional Korean tea ceremony, attendees witnessed a Korean drum performance by the Hasang Korean School Traditional Drum Team, led by Director Wonyong Chong.

(Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

After the performance, Spanberger took the stage to address the crowd. She began by expressing how grateful she was that Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears and her team were okay after their bus caught fire en-route to a campaign event. 

Spanberger continued by sharing how her then 5-year-old daughter helped convince her to move back to Virginia after her career as a CIA analyst. 

She then moved to the government shutdown. 

“The current government shutdown is hurting so many Virginia families,” Spanberger said.

In recognizing the AAPI Community, Spanberger added, “I want to ensure we celebrate the dreams, culture and people that make Virginia, Virginia.”

Spanberger also mentioned how through this election, “We will set an example for the rest of the country when communities bond together.” 

“I want to put Virginia’s public schools on the path to be the best public schools in the nation.” She said, concluding her speech to applause from the crowd.

Spanberger then met with the crowd for photos and conversation before departing for her next campaign event in Manassas.