Spanberger becomes first female Governor of Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger has won Virginia’s election for governor. Her win gives Democrats a boost heading into the 2026 midterm elections and compels Republicans to consider how President Donald Trump and his allies might fare in battleground states and districts.

Spanberger defeated Marine veteran and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in a campaign heavily centered on economic issues. Spanberger is a former CIA case officer and she served six years in Congress. Her victory flips Virginia’s executive mansion from GOP control. Also Tuesday, Democrat Ghazala F. Hashmi won the lieutenant governor’s race and will succeed Earle-Sears.

(IMAGE: Property of Abigail Spanberger for Governor / Official Facebook)