Former Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is projected to win the 2025 Virginia Governor’s Election, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. With nearly 40% of votes counted, Spanberger leads by nearly 140,000 votes. The victory flips control of the governor’s mansion from Republican to Democrat, as Spanberger succeeds outgoing GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin. The centrist Democrat will also become Virginia’s first female governor.
A former CIA officer and federal law enforcement agent, Spanberger, 46, centered her campaign on affordability, government stability, and protecting Virginia’s federal workforce, emphasizing the toll of the ongoing government shutdown and federal job cuts on the state’s more than 300,000 US government employees.
Her campaign also sought to tie Earle-Sears to President Donald Trump, branding her as a Trump loyalist despite Trump’s lack of endorsement. Earle-Sears, who was outraised by Spanberger, failed to gain momentum amid growing voter frustration over national chaos and local economic strain.
Spanberger’s victory ends Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s tenure and delivers a major boost for Democrats nationally, as they look to counter the influence of the second Trump administration. The win also underscores the rising power of centrist Democrats, who continue to prove their strength in swing states and competitive districts.
A mother of three, Spanberger previously represented Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, where she first rose to prominence after unseating Republican Dave Brat, known for ousting former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Her career in intelligence and public service helped shape her image as a moderate, pragmatic leader, an approach that resonated with Virginians seeking stability amid political polarization.
Other Races In Virginia
Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Ghazala Hashmi beats GOP’s John Reid to become first first Muslim woman elected to a statewide office ever in US history.
Attorney General: Democrat Jay Jones projected to narrowly beat GOP’s Jason Miyares and flip the seat.
Democrats are also projected to hold on to their control in the Virginia House, giving the party complete control of the state government.
