Virginia Democratic congressional candidate Abigail Spanberger ripped President Donald Trump for his favorable comments toward Russian President Vladimir Putin at a town hall Wednesday night, but voters expressed more concern over healthcare.
According to the Washington Examiner, Spanberger, a former clandestine officer in the CIA who is running against Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., was asked about Trump's summit with Putin.
"This week has been a really difficult-to-watch week, and I was profoundly disappointed," she said. "I have no interest in relitigating the 2016 election; I am focused on moving forward. But we, as a country, regardless of party, need to recognize and acknowledge and accept that the Russian Federation interfered with our elections."
Spanberger added, "From an intelligence perspective and from a national security perspective, the concern that I have is: What are they going to interfere with next?"
"I was actually pretty upset," supporter Deborah Carter said. "I feel like Trump did not acknowledge the Russian interference, and personally, I think the head of state should protect the country, and I didn't think he did that."
Many of the candidate's supporters expressed frustration and anger with Trump's comments, and said they want Spanberger to continue to address the topic considering her unique background as a CIA office. But after the initial question on the topic, voters in Virginia's 7th Congressional District focused on issues that more directly affect them and their community, such as education, Internet accessibility, immigration reform, and opioid abuse.
"I'd rather see her focus on looking forward at the real issues," Spanberger supporter Frank Meade, 51, told the Examiner.
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