Democrat Abigail Spanberger Elected Governor of VirginiaRichmond, Virginia – November 5, 2025

In a historic victory for her party and the Commonwealth, Democrat Abigail Spanberger has been elected governor of Virginia, becoming the first woman ever to hold that office in the state.

Spanberger, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a centrist who had previously worked in federal law enforcement and the CIA, defeated Republican lieutenant governor candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, winning roughly 55 % to 45 % with 35 % of the vote counted at the time of projection.

Virginia has trended more Democratic in recent years, and this election marks a significant turnover: Spanberger will succeed Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was ineligible to run again after his one four-year term under the state constitution.

Campaign & message

During her campaign, Spanberger emphasized her bipartisan record in Congress and her background in public service rather than focussing on national partisan battles. “I feel like if I say it too much, it’s like Beetlejuice. He’s gonna show up,” she said, referring to former President Donald Trump without naming him directly.

She also framed her candidacy around the needs of Virginia families: addressing healthcare, cost of living, and job disruptions caused by federal turbulence. Speaking at a rally in Norfolk, she stressed the need for a governor who would support “the thousands upon thousands of Virginia families whose livelihoods have been disrupted or destroyed.”

Opposition and dynamics

Earle-Sears, the first woman of colour elected to a statewide office in Virginia, ran a campaign anchored in culture-war themes that, while energising the Republican base, eventually fell short in a broader statewide contest. Trump’s endorsement of her was not enough to overcome the state’s broader shift.

The election may reflect a turning point for Democrats, who hope this win signals renewed momentum after mixed outcomes in 2024.

Looking ahead