History was made in Virginia on November 5, 2025, as Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA operative and three-term Congresswoman, was projected to become the state’s first female governor. Spanberger’s victory over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears capped off one of the most closely watched elections in the country, with the Associated Press, NBC News, and other major outlets calling the race in her favor as results rolled in.
Spanberger’s win was decisive. According to vote tallies reported by the Associated Press and NBC News, she secured approximately 57.2% of the vote, compared to Earle-Sears’ 42.6%. The results reflected strong support for Spanberger in urban and suburban counties, with her share of the vote reaching as high as 83.0% in some areas, while Earle-Sears dominated in several rural regions, notching up to 69.4% in her strongest counties.
Virginia, a state known for swinging between Democratic and Republican leadership, suddenly found itself at the center of national attention. Political analysts from BBC and The 19th noted that the contest was viewed as a bellwether for the national mood heading into the 2026 midterm elections, especially given the state’s proximity to Washington, D.C. and its large population of federal workers. Spanberger’s campaign was widely seen as a test case for how Democrats might respond to voter concerns in the wake of President Donald Trump’s second term and the economic anxieties it has stoked.
From the outset, Spanberger made clear that her campaign was about substantive issues, not personalities. In an interview with The 19th ahead of Election Day, she explained, “Let’s make it about the policies — make it about why this candidate is not what we want or what we need, or this candidate is what we want or what we need, right? It’s not that they’re the coolest person you’ve ever met. It’s that they’re pursuing the best policies.”
Her platform focused on fighting what she called the "chaos" of Trump’s second term, stemming the rising cost of living, and stripping culture war debates from conversations about public education. Spanberger put a spotlight on economic issues: the cost of food and health care, the impact of tariffs on businesses, and the plight of federal workers and contractors fired by the Trump administration. She also pledged to address housing and energy affordability—issues that resonated with families across the state.
In a rousing victory speech delivered in downtown Richmond, Spanberger stood flanked by her husband and three daughters, underscoring the historic nature of her win. “A few minutes ago, Adam said to our daughters, ‘Your mom’s going to be the governor of Virginia.’ And I can guarantee those words have never been spoken in Virginia ever before,” she told the cheering crowd, as reported by The 19th. She continued, “It’s a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything. It’s a big deal to the women older than I am who forged the path with dreams, hard work and a belief that change and progress would be possible. The history Virginia is making tonight is yours.”
Spanberger also paid tribute to trailblazers like Farmville’s Barbara Johns, whose activism helped spur the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, and Mary Sue Terry, the first woman elected to statewide office in Virginia. “The real work begins,” Spanberger declared. “Because this was never about just winning an election. It was about what comes next. It’s about the governing.”
Notably, Spanberger used her first speech as governor-elect to call on all members of Congress from both parties, as well as President Trump, to work together to end the federal government shutdown, which has stretched for over a month. The shutdown has resulted in thousands of furloughed federal workers and delays for millions of Americans relying on federal assistance. “Tonight, we sent a message to the whole world,” she said, emphasizing unity and pragmatism over partisanship. “Our commonwealth over chaos.”
The Democratic sweep extended beyond the governor’s mansion. Ghazala Hashmi, a progressive state senator from Richmond, claimed victory in the lieutenant governor’s race, becoming the first Muslim woman ever elected to statewide office in the United States. Hashmi’s win was significant not just for its historic nature, but also because she will hold the power to break ties in the state Senate, where Democrats now enjoy a narrow 21-19 majority. Former state Delegate Jay Jones also won the attorney general’s race, overcoming controversy over resurfaced text messages by issuing a public apology.
For Republicans, the election was a moment of both defeat and historic firsts. Earle-Sears, born in Jamaica, became the first Black Republican woman to win her party’s gubernatorial nomination in Virginia. She campaigned on carrying forward the policies of outgoing Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was barred from seeking re-election due to term limits. Earle-Sears made the exclusion of transgender people from women-only spaces a central theme, arguing she would “protect women” in schools and public life. Despite her efforts and Youngkin’s backing, Earle-Sears did not receive an official endorsement from Trump, though the former president encouraged voters to support Republican candidates statewide.
In her concession, Spanberger acknowledged her opponent’s service and the significance of her candidacy. “I would like to thank my opponent for a hard-fought race,” she said. “The lieutenant governor’s story — her military service and her years of service here in Virginia — deserves our respect and gratitude.”
Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin hailed the results as “a resounding rejection of the self-serving and corrupt Trump establishment.” He added, “It’s time for Republicans to cherish their short time in power — because Democrats are going to keep winning, and we have a vision for this country that’s a lot bigger than building a ballroom.”
Observers from BBC and The 19th noted that Spanberger’s campaign, along with the victories of Democrats in New Jersey and New York City, may offer a roadmap for the party as it looks to regain momentum in the 2026 midterm elections. Spanberger herself pointed out that her focus on affordability and economic security mirrored that of her former House colleague Mikie Sherrill, who won the New Jersey governor’s race. “The fact that we’re hearing similar things means that those things must be pretty salient in other parts of the country as well,” Spanberger observed.
Virginia’s election marks a turning point for a state that, until now, was among 18 that had never had a woman governor. As Spanberger and her fellow Democrats prepare to take office, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Virginia, watching to see if this historic night will indeed set an example for the rest of the country.
