Abigail Spanberger becomes Virginia’s first female governor after defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears

Abigail Spanberger elected Virginia's first woman governor, a win for Democrats

Democrat Abigail Spanberger made history on Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to become Virginia’s first female governor, a major victory for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Her win ends Republican Glenn Youngkin’s four-year tenure and flips control of the governor’s office. The former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman ran a campaign centered on economic stability and protecting Virginia from what she described as the “chaotic policies” of President Donald Trump’s second administration, according to the Associated Press.

CNN’s Decision Desk projected Spanberger as the winner after she defeated Earle-Sears in a race focused on affordability and concerns about the effects of federal job cuts and the government shutdown on a state with more than 300,000 federal employees. Spanberger also frequently tied Earle-Sears to Trump, calling her a “Trump acolyte,” though the former president did not endorse her.

Her victory gives Democrats a boost nationally as they seek to counter Trump’s second term and may serve as a model for the party’s centrist wing. Spanberger emphasized economic issues over ideology, connecting Earle-Sears to Trump while pledging to protect Virginians from the effects of tariffs, layoffs, and rising costs.

“I have denounced political violence, political rhetoric, no matter who is leading the charge,” she said during her only debate, distancing herself from both political extremes.

The win strengthens the position of moderate Democrats, who have argued they can succeed in competitive districts and swing states.

Spanberger, 46, is a mother of three who worked in law enforcement and the CIA before entering politics. She was first elected to Congress in Virginia’s 7th District after defeating former Rep. Dave Brat, who had earlier unseated House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and served three terms before stepping down earlier this year to run for governor.