Setback for Trump: Abigail Spanberger becomes first woman Governor of Virginia

Following her win, Spanberger told cheering supporters, as quoted by CNN: “We sent a message to every corner of the Commonwealth — a message to our neighbors, to our fellow Americans, and to the world — that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship.”

She added: “I cannot wait to get to work for you.”

Millions of Americans cast their ballots in Tuesday’s state and local elections — the first major electoral test since Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term after winning the 2024 presidential election.

In her victory speech, Spanberger urged President Trump and lawmakers to make “real progress” toward ending the ongoing federal government shutdown, one of the longest in U.S. history.

“Virginians, and all Americans who work tirelessly for their fellow citizens, deserve nothing less,” she said.

Who is Abigail Spanberger?

Born in 1979, Spanberger is a former CIA officer who served as the U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District from 2019 to 2025.