Anne Holton continues tour of Southwest Virginia

Anne Holton campaigned on behalf of her husband, Tim Kaine, in Big Stone Gap, Bristol, and Abingdon on Wednesday. Holton toured downtown businesses and met with community and business leaders as part of her Small Business Listening Tour. At each stop, Holton shared Kaine’s Virginia-based approach to level the playing field for small businesses and strengthen the economy.

In Big Stone Gap, Holton emphasized Kaine’s record of working across the aisle to improve the lives of all Virginians and make important progress in key areas like infrastructure and education. As governor, Kaine’s efforts to find common ground helped create jobs and helped the state earn recognition as Forbes’ “Best State for Business” four years in a row. Holton also shared her personal connection to Big Stone Gap, and memories of the summers she spent visiting her grandparents, the parents of former Governor Linwood Holton.

“It’s great to be back in Big Stone Gap, my father’s hometown where I spent so many summers, and to see so many familiar faces and old friends,” said Holton to the crowd at Mutual Drug. “One of the most remarkable things about Tim is whether he’s speaking to a Republican like my father, or members of his own party, he’s willing to hear everyone’s ideas — he is an incredible listener and has a unique ability to bring people together. That’s exactly the approach Tim will take to Washington to find common ground and help improve the lives of Virginia families.”

In the afternoon, Holton toured downtown businesses in Bristol and Abingdon and met with supporters at Eatz on Moore Street in Bristol and Bone Fire Smokehouse in Abingdon. Throughout the afternoon, Holton highlighted Kaine’s strategies to develop a talented workforce and balance the federal budget.

“Tim served as governor during the worst recession since the Great Depression,” said Holton to local business owners and supporters at Eatz. “He had to make tough decisions to balance Virginia’s budget that included cutting $5 billion in state spending. But as he made those necessary cuts, he also made important investments in education and infrastructure that strengthened our economy for the future. As a result, Virginia was recognized as the ‘Best Managed State’ by Governing magazine.”