Abigail Spanberger

Abigail Spanberger (Democratic Party) is the Governor of Virginia. She assumed office on January 17, 2026. Her current term ends on January 12, 2030.

On November 4, 2025, Spanberger was the first woman elected governor of Virginia.1 She defeated Winsome Earle-Sears (R) 56.7%-43.2%. Spanberger campaigned on cost-of-living issues, federal layoffs, education, and public safety.234 The election was the first time in state history that the Democratic and Republican nominees for governor were both women.1

Spanberger was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1979. She received a bachelor's degree in French literature from the University of Virginia in 2001 and an M.B.A. from a dual-degree program between Purdue University and GISMA Business School in Germany in 2002.562