First lady Jill Biden visits Virginia Beach ahead of presidential debate

VIRGINIA BEACH — Before heading to Atlanta for Thursday night’s presidential debate, first lady Jill Biden made a stop in Hampton Roads to thank supporters and hype her husband.

A giddy crowd eager to see her gathered inside a Democratic campaign office on Virginia Beach Boulevard near Newtown Road. Soon the room filled with supporters and media standing elbow-to-elbow, many fanning themselves with campaign flyers as the air-conditioner struggled to keep up.

Meanwhile, supporters of former President Donald Trump stood near the road holding posters, some with messages critical of President Joe Biden.

The first lady, 73, arrived shortly after 2 p.m. wearing a lilac-colored suit and holding a folded sheet of yellow legal pad paper with handwritten notes.

“So I’m on my way to Atlanta; you’ve probably heard about the debate,” said Biden said, smiling as she walked around the room. “You all know that there’s two visions for America, and you’ll see them tonight when you’re watching the debate.”

Trump and the president are scheduled to face off in their first debate of the 2024 election season at 9 p.m.

Trump is also planning a stop in Hampton Roads, hosting a campaign rally Friday in the historic Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake. The Trump event will begin at 3 p.m., with Gov. Glenn Youngkin expected to attend.

The back-to-back appearances underscore the focus the Biden and Trump campaigns have on Virginia. Democrats have won four consecutive presidential elections in the commonwealth, which is shaping up to be a key battleground in November, according to recent polls that have shown the two nearly even.

But those attending Thursday’s event have faith Virginia will remain blue.

“The former president can come down here tomorrow, and he can have his rally, but I don’t think it’s going to be reflective in November,” said Del. Michael Feggans. “The president will be victorious this fall.”

Sandra Brandt, chair of the 2nd Congressional District for the Democratic Committee, arrived at the campaign office early Thursday to help create posters in support of the Biden/Harris campaign. The first lady planned to take those posters with her to Atlanta, according to a spokesperson.

Brandt, 78, was excited to see Jill Biden up close.

“She’s kind of an idol for women because she’s a working woman in the White House, and she works hard for the rest of us across the country,” said Brandt.

Edna Forrest, 72, a retired Norfolk Public Schools custodian who now works as a cafeteria monitor was also jazzed up about the opportunity to meet the first lady. Biden stuck around for photographs with attendees after speaking.

“I love her,” said Forrest. “She’s all about the teachers.”

Biden is a community college educator in Virginia and gave a shout out to other teachers in the room.

She also touched on several topics, including her family’s military connections and her husband’s work to improve health care. She also mentioned the impact the election could have for the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The next president will be able to probably put two people on the Supreme Court,” she said. “We got to fight hard.”

Biden encouraged the attendees to closely listen to the debate.

“In the end it really comes down to who has the wisdom and who has the experience and who has the ability to really lead this country in the right direction,” she said.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com