Spanberger to Become Virginia's First Female Governor

See how Alexandria voted.

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Virginians elected Democrat Abigail Spanberger as their first female governor Tuesday. She took home 57.24% of the vote across the Commonwealth.

"We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship and a new kind of leadership for the Commonwealth," Spanberger said, surrounded by her family during her victory speech in Richmond.

The Virginia Department of Elections reported 133 of 133 localities:

  • Spanberger: 57.24% or 1,916,895
  • Earle-Sears: 42.56% or 1,425,519

"Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first woman elected governor of Virginia, the Associated Press projected about an hour after the polls closed, winning with a pragmatic focus on the economy and promises to stand up to what she termed the destructive and divisive policies of the Trump White House," The Washington Post reported.

Alexandria voting stats

Voter turnout: 53%

Governors Race

  • Abigail Spanberger (D): 83% or 50,636
  • Winsome Earle-Sears (R): 16.69% or 10,185

Lt. Governors Race

  • Ghazala F. Hashmi (D): 80.68% or 48,882
  • John J. Reid II (R): 18.99% or 11,503

Attorney General Race

  • Jay C. Jones (D): 77.02% or 45,877
  • Jason S. Miyares (R): 21.95% or 13,077

Spanberger will succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican barred from running again by Virginia's term limits.

In the Virginia lieutenant governor's race, Democrat state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi won the Virginia race for lieutenant governor, winning 55.32% of the vote. Hashmi, 61, was in a race against Republican John Reid, a talk show host.

In the Virginia attorney general race, Democrat Jay Jones took 52.82% of the vote over Republican Jason Miyares.

Many pundits were calling the race "a major test for Democrats." Other high-profile elections across the country included the New York mayor's race, where Democrat Zohran Mamdani beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an Independent; the New Jersey governor's race also saw Democrat Mikie Sherrill win the governor's race. 

In Virginia, 1,433,427 people voted early as of Nov. 2, according to the Virgina Public Access Project. Of those, 1,132,092 voted in person; the rest were mail-in votes. The 8th congressional district, the heart of Northern Virginia encompassing Arlington County, the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, and portions of Fairfax County, saw 131,084 votes cast early, according to the Virginia Department of Elections. 

Abigail Anne Davis Spanberger, 46, is a former intelligence officer who represented Virginia's 7th congressional district from 2019 to 2025. A native of Red Bank, N.J., her dad was a police officer and her mom was a nurse.

As a teenager, she moved with her family to the Short Pump neighborhood near Richmond, where her dad worked for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from collaborative program between GISMA Business School in Germany and Purdue University. Spanberger is married with three children.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, 61, is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, who immigrated to the United States when she was 6. She served in the United States Marine Corps, has served as the Vice President of the Virginia State Board of Education, as a presidential appointee to the US Census Bureau, as co-chair of the African American Committee and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Earle-Sears was elected in 2002 to a majority Black House of Delegates district, a first for a Republican in Virginia since 1865. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia, the first Black female elected statewide and the first naturalized female elected to statewide office. She is also the first female veteran to be elected to statewide office. Earle-Sears is married with two daughters; one daughter died in a car crash along with two grandchildren.

Virginia House

In addition to Virginia’s three statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, the 100 seats of Virginia’s House of Delegates were on the ballot Tuesday.

The Virginia House Democratic Caucus announced in a news release decisive victories across the Commonwealth, expanding its majority in the House of Delegates after one of the most competitive election cycles in state history. Here's more from the release:

House Democrats defended key incumbents and won pivotal battleground races by focusing on the issues Virginians care about most — lowering costs, protecting freedoms, strengthening public schools, and defending democracy. Fueled by unprecedented grassroots enthusiasm and a record-breaking field effort, House Democrats secured their first back-to-back majorities in 30 years and have a renewed mandate to deliver for families across the Commonwealth.

“Tonight, Virginians sent a clear message across the nation: Donald Trump and Virginia Republicans’ politics of chaos and cruelty have no home in the Commonwealth,” said Speaker Don Scott. “House Democrats expanded our majority because we stood up for Virginians and built a vision that puts people first — lowering costs, growing our economy, and protecting our rights. Our grassroots movement showed what’s possible when we meet voters where they are and focus on the issues that matter most. This victory belongs to the people of Virginia — and I’m ready to keep working every day to deliver for them.”

“Voters across Virginia stood up tonight for the values that define our Commonwealth — equality, opportunity, and justice,” said Leader Charniele Herring. “This victory was powered by a diverse coalition of Virginians who believe in a fairer, more inclusive future. I’m incredibly proud of our candidates, campaign teams, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to earn the trust of voters. The people have reaffirmed their faith in our leadership, and we’re ready to keep delivering results.”

“This was one of the toughest, most hard-fought election cycles we’ve ever faced — and our candidates rose to the moment,” said Chair Kathy Tran. “From day one, House Democrats have been guided by our commitment to improving people’s lives — expanding affordable healthcare, fully funding our public schools, and protecting Virginians’ fundamental freedoms. Tonight’s results show that voters want leaders who listen, work hard, and deliver.”

“We ran one of the most ambitious and competitive campaigns in the country — organizing across multiple battleground districts and reaching voters where they are,” said Campaigns Chair Dan Helmer. “Every door knocked, every conversation, and every vote cast made the difference. Our candidates reflected the strength and diversity of our Commonwealth, and Virginians responded. This victory didn’t just expand our majority — it expanded what’s possible when Democrats organize, fight, and win together.”

Running unopposed locally in the House of Delegates race:

Alfonso H. Lopez (D) (3rd District)

Charniele L. Herring (D) (4th District)

Elizabeth R. Bennett-Parker (D) (5th District)

Also running unopposed:

Commonwealth’s Attorney: Bryan L. Porter

Sheriff: Sean Casey

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