Spanberger makes history: the first woman and Democrat in years to lead Virginia. 

In a historic election on Tuesday, Abigail Spanberger was elected as the first female governor of Virginia, defeating the Republican nominee, Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger led with 57.2% of the votes, and Earle-Sears got 42.6%. These results give Democrats control of the governor’s mansion for the first time in years. 

Spanberger, 45, is a former CIA intelligence officer but left the CIA to focus on politics after the 2016 presidential election. She’s served as the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 7th congressional district since 2019. 

Spandberger presented herself as a moderate Democrat, focusing her campaign on affordability and the recent federal job cuts and government shutdown. Spandberger, like many other democratic politicians, used their republican opponents’ pro-Trump stance to their advantage.

Her win, along with Mikie Sherrill’s and Zorhan Mamdani’s, gives Democrats across the country more influence as they respond to the current Trump administration.

Earle-Sears, 61, is serving as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. She ran on tax cuts as well as parental rights in education, using her history as the first Black woman in Virginia to be elected statewide. However, her ties to Trump and focus on cultural issues didn’t resonate with many voters, giving Spanberger an edge.

Spanberger’s victory marks the start of a huge turning point not only in Virginia politics but across the United States. Her wins, along with Mikey Sherril’s and Zorhan Mamdani’s show growing momentum for the Democratic Party that can change the political scene going into future elections.