Abigail Spanberger was sworn into office on Saturday, becoming Virginia's 75th governor and the first woman to hold the position. The Democrat succeeded Republican Glenn Youngkin after defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the November election. The ceremony, held outside the state Capitol, marked a historic shift in state leadership.
Inauguration and Historical Context
Abigail Spanberger was inaugurated as Virginia’s first female governor on Saturday. The ceremony took place outside the state Capitol. She is the 75th individual to serve as governor of Virginia, a role previously held exclusively by men since the commonwealth's establishment in 1776, with no woman having served as a colonial governor prior. Governor Spanberger will be formally addressed as “Madam Governor” or “her excellency.”
During her inaugural address, Governor Spanberger acknowledged the historical significance of the moment, expressing gratitude to generations who advocated for women's suffrage. She quoted Patrick Henry, Virginia’s first governor, stating, “‘Let us not split into factions, which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.’ That was the charge Gov. Henry put to Virginia at the close of the 18th century, and it is the charge we must answer again today.” The inaugural event was planned to include a parade, a small-business marketplace, and a ball. Spanberger stated her intention not to wear a morning coat for the inauguration.
Election Outcome and New Leadership
Spanberger, a Democrat, secured a 15-point victory in November. She defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and succeeded former Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, an outcome that places Democrats in control of the state government.
Also inaugurated were:
- Ghazala Hashmi as Lieutenant Governor, making her the first Muslim woman to hold a statewide office in the U.S.
- Jay Jones as Virginia's first Black Attorney General.
Policy Priorities and Administration Goals
Spanberger's campaign focused on issues such as the cost of living and the impact of federal budget cuts in Virginia. She committed to protecting Virginia’s economy and addressing concerns regarding federal administration policies, rising commodity costs, and challenges within the state’s healthcare system.
Her administration's upcoming responsibilities include navigating economic challenges and federal reductions to healthcare and social safety net programs. She has indicated plans to focus on policies to improve the economic situation for Virginia women, including reducing the state's childcare waitlist. Spanberger has stated her intention to honor commonwealth traditions while also establishing her own approach to the role, with a goal of shaping a new image for the Virginia governorship.
Democrats in the Statehouse have indicated their intention to collaborate with Governor Spanberger on legislative priorities, which include redrawing the state’s congressional district map before the upcoming midterm elections.
Historical Acknowledgments
Spanberger has recognized other women from Virginia's political history. These include Barbara Johns, a Black teenage activist whose 1951 school walkout contributed to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, and Mary Sue Terry, who was the first woman elected to a statewide position in Virginia and ran for governor in 1993.