Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor's race, becoming first woman to lead state

Democrat Abigail Spanberger has been projected as the winner of Virginia's gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in a closely watched race that drew national attention.

Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, will become the first woman to serve as governor of Virginia. Her victory ends four years of Republican leadership under outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin, reports the BBC.

In a separate contest, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi was projected to win the lieutenant governor's race against Republican John Reid, making her the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States. The governor and lieutenant governor races are held separately in Virginia.

Spanberger campaigned on a platform focused on affordability and economic stability, highlighting the impact of former President Donald Trump's spending cuts on federal employment in Virginia. She appeared alongside former President Barack Obama during the campaign's final weekend.

At a victory party on Tuesday night, Spanberger told supporters that Virginians "chose pragmatism over partisanship" and "our commonwealth over chaos."

"Tonight, we sent a message to the whole world," she said. "Virginians chose pragmatism over partisanship," she added, calling her win "an example for the rest of the nation."

Earle-Sears, who had emphasized the state's economic performance under conservative leadership, campaigned on cultural issues that have energized Republican voters nationwide, including debates over transgender rights. While former President Trump did not formally endorse her, he urged voters to support all Republican candidates on the ballot.

Virginia's leadership has frequently shifted between the two major parties, and analysts said Tuesday's outcome could signal voter sentiment heading into next year's midterm elections. The race was also viewed as a test of Trump-era policies, with the state's large population of federal workers and proximity to Washington, D.C., shaping its political dynamics.

The Democratic National Committee welcomed Spanberger's victory, describing it as "a resounding rejection of the self-serving and corrupt Trump establishment." DNC chair Ken Martin said in a statement: "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."

Democrats also notched other statewide wins on Tuesday. In New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill won the governor's race, while in New York City, Zohran Mamdani was elected as the city's first Muslim mayor.