Abigail Spanberger says she is still absorbing the historic significance of becoming Virginia’s first female governor as her Jan. 17 inauguration approaches. Her 15-point victory over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has prompted emotional responses from constituents and inspired young people. Spanberger plans to prioritize tenant protections and efforts to lower prescription drug costs, while critics warn those policies could raise costs amid economic uncertainty.
Spanberger Reflects On Becoming Virginia’s First Female Governor Ahead Of Jan. 17 Inauguration
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger during an interview at the Capitol Tuesday Jan. 6, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
RICHMOND, Va. — With fewer than two weeks until her inauguration, Democrat Abigail Spanberger says she is still absorbing the significance of becoming the first woman to hold Virginia’s governorship in the state’s nearly 250-year history.
“The campaign was about the things I want to do for Virginians,” Spanberger told The Associated Press. “It’s about the challenges that Virginians are facing. But as we are preparing for the actual inauguration and for me to be sworn in, there are elements of a greater realization on my part, as I hear other people kind of verbalizing their excitement about what it means.”
Community Reactions Underscore Historic Moment
Spanberger described moving encounters that highlighted the milestone: a woman who shared her daughter’s astonishment that Virginia had never before elected a female governor, and a teenage girl who said she might one day run for president. “For the next generation of kids, it’ll be normal to see a woman in this role,” Spanberger said, “whether it’s doing the joyful things of ribbon cuttings or the hard things of contending with whatever challenges we might be facing into the future.”
Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger during an interview at the Capitol Tuesday Jan. 6, 2026, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Transition, Background And Visuals
Spanberger, a former member of Congress who defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by 15 points in November, is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 17 outside the Virginia Capitol. She said she was struck by a Richmond Times-Dispatch layout that placed her photo next to images of men who served before her, accompanied by the caption: “Spanberger joins the boys club.”
Her time in Congress during President Donald Trump’s first term, she said, taught her there are both many issues to tackle and potential areas for bipartisan cooperation. “When we can be aligned in support of Virginia, Virginians, our economy and our shared priorities, there will be places to work with him,” she said. “But when he's making choices that might impact or hurt Virginians, Virginia jobs, [or] Virginia's economy, then I will be a relentless advocate for, and defender of, Virginia.”
Policy Priorities And Criticism
Spanberger said her early agenda will focus on economic relief measures: pursuing stronger tenant protections against evictions, policies to lower prescription drug costs, and other steps to ease household burdens. Conservative critics contend those proposals could increase costs for residents at a time of economic uncertainty, declining federal funds, and broader cost-of-living pressures.
“The campaign was about the things I want to do for Virginians... it’s about the challenges that Virginians are facing.” — Abigail Spanberger
Spanberger’s election marks a historic first for Virginia and creates a new visual and political precedent as she prepares to take office.
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