At a Glance
- Abigail Spanberger took the oath as Virginia’s 75th governor, the first woman to hold the role since 1776
- Democrats reclaimed full statehouse control, flipping 13 House seats after 2024 losses
- Her first act rescinded a prior immigration-enforcement directive for local police
- Why it matters: With a Republican in the White House, Virginia Democrats aim to block federal policies they say threaten health care and the economy
In a cold drizzle at the state Capitol, Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday as Virginia’s first female governor, ending more than two centuries of male-only leadership.
Spanberger, who defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, now leads a state government fully under Democratic control while Republican President Donald Trump occupies the White House next door.
“The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me,” Spanberger told the crowd. “I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who work, generation after generation, to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today.”
Campaign Promises and First Actions
Spanberger campaigned on shielding Virginia’s economy from what she called the Trump administration’s aggressive tactics. On the trail she criticized White House moves to shrink the civil service, raise consumer costs, and destabilize the state’s health care system.
In her address she warned Virginians about “recklessness coming out of Washington,” citing:
- Policies that “hurt our communities”
- Cuts to health care access
- Threats to rural hospitals
- Rising costs for families
Immediately after the ceremony she signed 10 executive orders, including one that rescinds Youngkin’s directive ordering state and local law-enforcement agencies to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
“Local law enforcement should not be required to divert their limited resources to enforce federal civil immigration laws,” she said.
Historic Firsts Across the Ticket
Two other Democrats took the oath alongside Spanberger:
- Ghazala F. Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the U.S., became lieutenant governor. She placed her hand on a Quran during the oath.
- Jay Jones, Virginia’s first Black attorney general, was sworn in on the former capital of the Confederacy.
Hashmi and Jones stood behind Spanberger as she signed her first orders, underscoring the party’s new diversity at the top.
Tradition and Symbolism
Because no woman has ever held the governorship since Virginia became a commonwealth in 1776, officials will refer to Spanberger as “Madam Governor” or “her excellency.”
Protocol calls for morning coats for men and dark suits for women. While many attendees followed the dress code-including the new governor’s husband-Spanberger chose an all-white ensemble, a nod to the women’s suffrage movement. A gold pin on her coat read: “One country. One destiny.”
Democratic Heavyweights on Hand
Prominent party figures attended the inauguration:
- New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill
- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore
- U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Adam Schiff
Also present on his 95th birthday was former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, the nation’s first elected African American governor. Spanberger honored him in her speech:
“On these steps, Virginia inaugurated our 66th governor and our nation’s first elected African American governor. Gov. L. Douglas Wilder changed what so many of our fellow citizens believed was even possible.”
Political Landscape Ahead
Democrats in the General Assembly have pledged to advance a bullish agenda alongside Spanberger, including:
- Redrawing the state’s congressional map before the midterm elections
- Passing legislation that counters Trump administration policies
- Expanding health care access and protecting rural hospitals
The party picked up 13 seats in the House of Delegates last cycle, regaining control a year after losing ground nationwide in the 2024 presidential contest.
Key Takeaways
- Spanberger’s win breaks a 248-year male monopoly on Virginia’s governorship
- Unified Democratic control sets up potential clashes with the Trump White House
- First-day executive action signals a sharp policy pivot from the Youngkin era
- Party leaders hope the momentum carries into the next federal midterm fight
