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Tag: abigail spanberger

  • Gov. Spanberger ends ICE agreement involving Virginia State Police and corrections officers – WTOP News

    The agreement — which stems from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration —  had effectively placed state law enforcement under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement. 

    This article was reprinted with permission from Virginia Mercury. 

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger has formally ended an agreement with the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement that had allowed Virginia State Police troopers and Virginia Department of Corrections officers to assist ICE.

    The agreement — which stems from Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration —  had effectively placed state law enforcement under federal control and supervision to conduct civil immigration enforcement.

    Ending the agreements was a campaign promise of Spanberger’s last year when she said tasking state and local law enforcement to help with federal law enforcement was a “misuse of those resources.”

    She said she’d rather law enforcement focus on its core duties than serve as deputies to ICE.

    Executive Order 12 builds on her earlier day-one executive order that gave her the option to end the agreement that Order 12 now rescinds.

    The order directs all state law enforcement agencies to review policies, training and practices to ensure they align with standards of protecting human life and to “not engage in fear-based policing, enforcement theater, or actions that create barriers to people seeking assistance in their time of need.”

    Spanberger pointed to national conversations around ICE’s tactics in a meeting with the news media on Wednesday. As President Donald Trump’s administration has had the agency hyper-focused on Minneapolis in recent weeks, American citizens like Renee Good and Alex Pretti have been killed by agents.

    “I think it has brought the conversation to the forefront,” Spanberger said of how their deaths helped inspire her new order.

    Drawing on her own background in law enforcement, she emphasized that the order is intended to reinforce accountability, public service, and safety.

    “I think it’s extraordinarily important to make sure that we are celebrating, and honoring and recognizing the strong vetting, the strong training, and the incredibly high standards that here in the commonwealth of Virginia, we hold our law enforcement agencies to,” Spanberger said. “We want to make sure that we’re making a clear line in the sand about what is expected of our law enforcement officials.”

    Republicans, however, offered a sharply different view.

    Sen. Glenn Sturtevant, R-Chesterfield said in reaction Wednesday that he believes the order reflects Spanberger “putting politics over public safety.”

    As of late last year, the majority of the thousands of people detained by ICE in Virginia had no criminal histories.

    With Virignia’s legislature and governorship now under Democratic control — at a time when  President Donald Trump has targeted Democratic-led states — immigration advocates and civil rights groups have argued the commonwealth could become the next focal point for ICE enforcement.

    Some Republican lawmakers have suggested Trump could retaliate against Virginia over Spanberger’s actions. Del. Karen Hamilton, R-Culpeper, speculated in a recent social media post that the president could withhold federal funding following Spanberger’s previous ICE-related order — a move Youngkin once threatened against localities that declined to cooperate with ICE.

    When asked Wednesday whether he believes Trump might retaliate, Sturtevant said, “we’ll see.”

    “At the end of the day,” he added, “we know we have criminal illegal aliens here in Virginia. We have federal law enforcement, whose job it is to go and identify, find, and deport these individuals. We had been working constructively with those federal partners to do that.”

    Spanberger, meanwhile, said her order does not prohibit cooperation between state agencies and ICE under limited circumstances, such as participation in special task forces or when ICE presents  judicial warrants requesting assistance.

    “That’s a clear delineation,” she said. “But taking Virginia law enforcement, state agency personnel, and basically giving them over to ICE, is something that ends today.”

    Virginia Mercury reporter Shannon Heckt contributed to this story.

    Jose Umana

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  • State of emergency: DC region prepares for massive snowfall this weekend – WTOP News

    A state of emergency is in place in D.C., Maryland and Virginia ahead of what the District’s mayor calls “the largest snowfall” the region has seen in a while.

    Local leaders are bracing for a winter storm that’s slated to pick up steam Saturday night, possibly dropping a foot of snow and sleet across the D.C. region.

    A state of emergency is in place in D.C., Maryland and Virginia ahead of what the District’s mayor called “the largest snowfall” the region has seen in a while.

    Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency in Maryland during a news conference Friday afternoon, following suit with preparations made by Virginia’s governor and D.C.’s mayor. 

    D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also put a snow emergency in place. Vehicles parked along certain routes could be ticketed and towed starting Saturday afternoon.

    Emergency preparations in Maryland

    Gov. Moore told WTOP anchors Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer on Friday that the upcoming snowstorm is “unique” because it’s slower moving and cold temperatures could bring more ice.

    He said the state of emergency declaration gives the state “full flexibility” to collaborate with state and federal partners ” to ensure that we are being fully prepared for this storm.”

    “This storm is to be taken very, very seriously. There will be impacts of it that will cover every single part of the state of Maryland. I don’t care where in Maryland you call home, you are going to be impacted by this storm,” Moore said.

    “If we are seeing or monitoring any disruptions within service, they will move as quickly as possible to be able to respond to it,” Moore said of possible service interruptions.

    Moore has requested that President Donald Trump authorize a federal emergency declaration to open up funds for resources and equipment such as generators.

    “This winter storm has the potential to be remarkably dangerous,” Moore said during a Friday news conference. “This winter storm … is not just going to impact the state of Maryland.”

    He urged Marylanders to stay home during and after the storm until crews have cleared the roads.

    “Unless you have a serious emergency, plan to stay home starting tomorrow, adjust your plans for Sunday and Monday now,” Moore said. “Let the professionals do their jobs. Let the team do their work.”

    For those who have to travel, he said to bring along blankets, water and food, and to give snow plows plenty of room on the road.

    “Travel will become extremely hazardous and life threatening, if not impossible, Saturday night into Sunday for much of the state,” Secretary of Emergency Management Russell Strickland said.

    Marylanders in need of help can dial #77 for roadside assistance from state highway crews and first responders.

    Moore said emergency resources, including Maryland National Guard troops, are being deployed around the state in preparation.

    Moore told WTOP that 160 members of the Guard have been activated to help in support roles in state agencies: “We’re really grateful for these remarkable citizen soldiers who have stepped up when our state needs it.”

    “I want to be crystal clear, please use common sense and please show courtesy and grace in the days ahead,” Moore said. “Please stay off the roads. Please look after your neighbors.”

    Temperatures will be frigid over the weekend. Strickland said generators and propane heaters should be used outdoors — not in a garage.

    “This will limit your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” Strickland said. “Generators should at least be 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors and vents.”

    How Virginia is gearing up for snow

    Speaking with WTOP anchors Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she declared a state of emergency Thursday to allow the Commonwealth to get ready for the potential impacts of the winter storm.

    “It is a constant and evolving process, and frankly, we’ve got incredible people who have been planning for these types of challenges,” she said. “But to have it across the state all at once is a particularly unique challenge in the moment.”

    A snowstorm in 2022 left many drivers stranded on Interstate 95 in Virginia, including Sen. Tim Kaine, who said he was stuck in his car for 21 hours. Spanberger said the state has taken steps to prevent a similar incident.

    “We have taken action early and certainly among the lessons learned from prior strong snowstorms is that it is important to have the flexibility when you need it to be able to respond to a storm,” she said. “Which is why I signed that emergency declaration (Thursday) morning, so that we could begin putting all of the pieces in place.”

    Those pieces include having Virginia National Guard troops placed around the Commonwealth to respond to emergencies and help with road clearing, she said. State police are also monitoring the storm.

    Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation are already out pretreating roads. And Spanberger said the state’s department of emergency management is working with local governments to make warming stations available.

    “The real complicating factor here is that the temperatures are supposed to be so cold. And so, places where we will see a lot of rain and a lot of freezing rain, the significant worry there is that we’ll see trees come down, and with it, many power lines,” Spanberger said.

    What does a snow emergency mean for DC?

    The District could start towing vehicles on certain routes as soon as a snow emergency kicks in Saturday at noon.

    That snow emergency status is expected to stay in place until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, though that’s subject to change depending on how the storm impacts the city. D.C. Public Schools were already closed for students on Monday.

    There’s a map of D.C.’s snow emergency routes on WTOP; parking along the highlighted routes could get you ticketed and towed as early as Saturday at noon.

    “We are also requesting vehicle support from the D.C. National Guard to ensure our first responders are able to move around the city during the storm,” Mayor Bowser said. “We expect that to be related to snow clearing, especially for vulnerable communities.”

    Crews have been brining since Thursday at 7 p.m., according to Anthony Crispino, the interim director of the D.C. Department of Public Works.

    “The brine, which is a mixture of salty water, essentially, and beet juice, it allows it to stick to the road surface, and the beet juice, believe it or not, actually allows it to be effective at a lower temperature than the rock salt that we use,” Crispino said. “By laying down the brine, then on top of that the salt, we’re hoping that we have a good base coat, and when the temperatures start to come up, it’ll melt from below.

    When the region gets hit with heavy bands of snow up front, he said the strategy is to, “try and push as much off the snow, and then let the chemicals that we have do the work on the back end.”

    The city said trash pickup next week is likely to slide by a few days.

    “You are responsible for shoveling your sidewalks, you are also responsible for clearing the area in your alley spaces,” Bowser said. “That goes a long way in helping us have access to the alley ways.”

    But Crispino admitted the city was hoping to get salt trucks inside some alleys before the storm hits, to offer up some initial protection. Both he and the mayor also stressed the importance of checking on older neighbors as the storm goes on.

    “It’s going to be very cold next week, which means the snow sticks around,” Bowser said. “We want people to make sure they have food, they have a safe passage in and out.”

    Eight recreation centers will be open if residents lose power and need someplace warm to go. More could be opened up if needed.

    Bowser also noted the importance of getting the city up and running again after the storm.

    “When we have snow events like this, industry suffers,” Bowser said. “Restaurants and hospitality suffer, and if we can’t get open, then their employees and guests can’t get to work and get to their events.”

    “We want to see everybody next week,” she added.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Jessica Kronzer

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  • What’s included in Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s first 10 executive orders – WTOP News

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger wasted no time during her first day in office, signing 10 executive orders Saturday, some aimed at boosting affordability.

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks after being sworn into office at the Virginia State Capitol Jan. 17, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia. Spanberger is the first woman elected to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s highest office. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)(Getty Images/Win McNamee)

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger wasted no time during her first day in office, signing 10 executive orders Saturday at the Virginia State Capitol aimed at boosting affordability and steering the commonwealth away from former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policies on education, immigration, diversity and public safety.

    Like many Democrats nationwide, Spanberger seized on the affordability issue on the campaign trail, and three of her 10 executive orders centered around lowering costs for Virginians.

    One order directs all the state’s executive branch agencies to find ways to reduce living expenses; another establishes a task force to make health care spending more efficient and lower costs; the final affordability minded order mandates a review of housing regulation and permitting practices to encourage more development.

    “Whether it’s cutting red tape within the government or enacting policy that provides relief, we must address high housing costs, health care, child care and energy costs,” Spanberger said Saturday.

    Changes to the federal workforce have had a particularly significant impact in Northern Virginia, and that’s also something Spanberger addressed with her initial wave of executive action. With the stroke of a pen Saturday, she created the Economic Resiliency Task Force, which will coordinate a statewide response to federal cuts.

    “We need a full assessment of the federal funds that have been cut, delayed, reduced or potential projected impacts that we may see in the future, and we need recommendations for how we can mitigate the damage — current or future,” Spanberger said.

    Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, told WTOP Spanberger is carrying forward her positive momentum by getting to work quickly.

    “Spanberger won by a massive landslide, unlike Younkin’s very narrow victory,” Sabato said. “Fifteen and a half points is a pretty incredible victory, and it gives her a lot of capital to spend. And she’s going to spend it. She only has four years,” he said.

    Virginia governors are limited to one four-year term.

    Spanberger’s final order Saturday related to immigration enforcement, another response to President Donald Trump and his administration’s priorities. Her order rescinds executive action taken by former Gov. Glenn Youngkin that increased cooperation between local and state police and federal immigration enforcement authorities.

    Democrats nationwide have called for limiting cooperation and criticized the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency whose officers have been deployed to major cities across the country and tasked with deporting immigrants who are in the country without legal permission.

    Congressional Democrats have also floated the idea of holding up funding for ICE.

    “Virginia state and local law enforcement officers must be able to focus on their rapport, responsibilities, investigating crime and community policing,” Spanberger said.

    Other orders were aimed at targeting discrimination, bolstering education and making sure her office can respond to crisis or emergency situations.

    The full text of each order is available here.

    “Executive orders represent just the beginning, first steps that we are taking to make a more affordable Virginia, a safer Virginia and one focused on ensuring that the future of all of our kids is bright,” Spanberger said.

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia’s first woman governor – WTOP News

    Abigail Spanberger has been sworn into office as Virginia’s first female governor. Spanberger was sworn in at noon Saturday amid a cold drizzle outside the state Capitol after centuries of men holding the state’s top office.

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    Abigail Spanberger inaugurated as Virginia’s first female governor

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger arrives for inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)(AP/Steve Helber)

    RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Amid a cold drizzle, Democrat Abigail Spanberger was sworn into office Saturday at the state Capitol as Virginia’s first female governor after centuries of men holding the state’s top office.

    The inauguration of Spanberger, who defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, marks a new chapter in Virginia as Democrats pull the levers of power in state government while Republican President Donald Trump sits in the White House in neighboring Washington.

    “The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me,” Spanberger said in her address. “I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who work, generation after generation, to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today.”

    Spanberger ran on a vow to protect Virginia’s economy from the aggressive tactics of Trump’s administration. On the trail, she spoke of the White House’s gutting the civil service, the rising costs of goods and changes impacting the state’s already fragile health care system.

    In a thinly veiled dig at the president, Spanberger said it was time for Virginians to fix what was broken.

    “I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington,” she said. “You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs.”

    Two other Democrats were also sworn in Saturday. Ghazala F. Hashmi, the first Muslim woman to serve in statewide office in the U.S., is the new lieutenant governor. Hashmi placed her hand on a Quran as she was sworn in. Jay Jones is Virginia’s first Black attorney general. He was sworn into his post, notably, in the former capital of the Confederacy.

    After the ceremony, Hashmi and Jones stood behind Spanberger as she signed her first 10 executive orders. One order that Spanberger signed Saturday rescinds a Youngkin directive from last year instructing state law enforcement and corrections officers to assist with immigration enforcement.

    “Local law enforcement should not be required to divert their limited resources to enforce federal civil immigration laws,” she said.

    Spanberger’s inauguration as the state’s 75th governor is a historic first: only men have held the post since Virginia first became a commonwealth in 1776. And no woman served as a colonial governor before then.

    She will be referred to with traditional formality: “Madam Governor” or, as some officials phrase it, “her excellency.”

    According to “A Guide to Virginia Protocol and Traditions,” males in the official party wear morning coats and women wear dark suits for the inauguration and many, including the new governor’s husband, kept to that tradition on Saturday.

    But as the first woman to serve as governor, Spanberger wore all white on Saturday, a possible tribute to the women’s suffrage movement. She wore a gold pin on her long, white coat that said: “One country. One destiny.”

    Prominent Democrats attended the ceremony, such as New Jersey Gov.-Elect Mikie Sherrill and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Adam Schiff were seated in the crowd.

    On his 95th birthday, former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder also sat behind Spanberger and watched her inauguration.

    “On these steps, Virginia inaugurated our 66th governor and our nation’s first elected African American governor,” Spanberger said in her speech. “Gov. L. Douglas Wilder changed what so many of our fellow citizens believed was even possible.”

    Democrats in the statehouse have vowed to work with Spanberger to push through their bullish agenda, which includes redrawing the state’s congressional district map ahead of the midterm elections this year.

    The state Democrats picked up 13 seats in the House of Delegates a year after the party’s stunning losses nationwide in the 2024 presidential election.

    Copyright
    © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

    WTOP Staff

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  • Spanberger takes swipe at Trump admin, says Virginians worried about ‘recklessness coming out of Washington’

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    Democrat Abigail Spanberger took multiple swipes at the Trump administration on Saturday as she was sworn-in as Virginia’s first female governor. 

    Spanberger, who handily defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in November and takes over for Republican Glenn Youngkin, told a crowd at the State Capitol that, “I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington.” 

    “You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs. You are worried about Washington policies that are closing off markets, hurting innovation and private industry, and attacking those who have devoted their lives to public service,” Spanberger said. 

    “You are worried about an administration that is gilding buildings while schools crumble, breaking, breaking, breaking the social safety net and sowing fear across our communities, betraying the values of who we are as Americans, the very values that we celebrate here on these steps,” she continued.

    VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS MOVE TO SEIZE REDISTRICTING POWER, OPENING DOOR TO 4 NEW LEFT-LEANING SEATS

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol, Saturday, in Richmond, Va.  (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    “And across the Commonwealth, everything keeps getting a bit more expensive. Groceries, medicine, day care, the electricity bill, rent and the mortgage. Families are strained, kids are stressed, and so much just seems to be getting harder and harder,” Spanberger added. 

    She then said, “Growing up, my parents always taught me that when faced with something unacceptable, you must speak up.”

    YOUNGKIN BACKS JD VANCE FOR 2028, CALLS VICE PRESIDENT A ‘GREAT’ GOP NOMINEE

    Abigail Spanberger takes the oath for Governor of Virginia

    Abigail Spanberger takes the oath of Governor of Virginia during inaugural activities, Saturday, at the Capitol in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    “You must take action. You must right what you believe is wrong and fix what isn’t working. And I know that some who are here today, or watching from home, may disagree with the litany of challenges and the hardships that I laid out,” Spanberger also said. “Your perspective may differ from mine, but that does not preclude us from working together where we may find common cause.” 

    Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for a response to Spanberger’s remarks.

    Abigale Spanberger and Glenn Youngkin participate in key ceremony

    Abigail Spanberger takes part in the key exchange with departing Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin before inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond, Va.  (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    “The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me. I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who work, generation after generation, to ensure women could be among those casting ballots,” Spanberger said at one point during her speech.

    CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

    Prior to her inauguration speech, Youngkin posted a video on X where he said it was an “honor of a lifetime” to serve the state. 

    Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.

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  • PHOTOS: See Spanberger’s inauguration as Virginia’s 1st female governor – WTOP News

    Hundreds gathered in Richmond Saturday to view the historic inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s first female governor.

    Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger arrives with her husband Adam Spanberger, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool

    Attorney General elect Jay Jones arrives with his family before Virginia gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger inauguration at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Attorney General elect Jay Jones arrives with his family before Virginia gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger inauguration at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi arrives for inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)
    Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi arrives for inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool

    Va. Gov. Glenn Youngkin arrives with his wife before Virginia gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger inauguration at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Va. Gov. Glenn Youngkin arrives with his wife before Virginia gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger inauguration at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    State of the Commonwealth
    Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center, arrives to deliver his State of the Commonwealth Address during the opening of the 2026 session of the General Assembly at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Wednesday Jan. 14, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber

    State of the Commonwealth Virginia
    Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin acknowledges the applause as he delivers his State of the Commonwealth Address during the opening of the 2026 session of the General Assembly at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earl-Sears, top left, House Speaker, Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, top center, and Senate President Pro 10, Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, join in the welcome.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber

    Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Governor of Virginia during inaugural activities at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as Governor of Virginia during inaugural activities at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Ghazala Hashmi takes the oath of office for Lt. Governor during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Ghazala Hashmi takes the oath of office for Lt. Governor during inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Jay Jones is sworn in as Attorney General at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Jay Jones is sworn in as Attorney General at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her inaugural address after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers her inaugural address after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger, back center in white coat, attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger, back center in white coat, attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

    AP Photo/Steve Helber

    Virginia Gov.-elect, Abigail Spanberger, left, greets former Gov. Ralph Northam, right, and his wife, Pam Northam, center, during in inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Pool/Steve Helber)
    Virginia Gov.-elect, Abigail Spanberger, left, greets former Gov. Ralph Northam, right, and his wife, Pam Northam, center, during in inaugural ceremonies at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Pool/Steve Helber)

    AP Photo/Pool/Steve Helber

    Participants take part in an inaugural ceremony after Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Participants take part in an inaugural ceremony after Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony with her family after she was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony with her family after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony with her family after she was sworn in as Virginia's first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
    Gov. Abigail Spanberger attends an inaugural ceremony with her family after she was sworn in as Virginia’s first female governor, at the Capitol in Richmond Va., Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
    (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

    Hundreds gathered in Richmond on Saturday to view the historic inauguration of Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s first female governor.

    Spanberger, a Democrat, beat Republican rival Winsome Earle-Sears in the Nov. 2025 election, leading a Democratic sweep of Virginia’s statewide elections.

    Crowds showed up early for the inauguration ceremony, which began at noon on the South Portico of the state Capitol in Richmond.

    Spanberger succeeds Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. In Virginia, governors are term-limited to one four-year term.

    The new governor will deliver her first address to the Virginia General Assembly on Monday.

    The inaugural Parade will take place after the inauguration ceremony, with participants marching through Capitol Square.

    See photos here of the ceremony, parade and attendees.

     

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    © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Diane Morris

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  • Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia’s 1st female governor in historic inauguration

    Democrat Abigail Spanberger has been sworn into office as Virginia’s first female governor. Spanberger was sworn in at noon Saturday amid a cold drizzle outside the state Capitol after centuries of men holding the state’s top office.

    “The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me — I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who worked generation after generation to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today,” Spanberger said in her inauguration speech.  

    “I stand before those who made it possible for a woman to also participate in that peaceful transfer of power and take that oath…”  she added.

    Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, also a Republican. During the election, Spanberger, a former CIA officer and congresswoman, positioned herself as an adversary of the Trump administration. She frequently capitalized on frustrations over federal layoffs in a state with nearly 150,000 federal civilian jobs to cinch the role. 

    Her victory marks a new chapter as Democrats pull the levers of power in Virginia while Republican President Trump sits in the White House next door.

    Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is sworn into office by the Honorable William Mims, Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, at the Virginia State Capitol.

    Win McNamee / Getty Images


    Two other Democrats were also sworn in. Ghazala F. Hashmi, the first Muslim woman to serve in statewide office in the U.S., is the new lieutenant governor. Jay Jones is the first Black person elected attorney general in Virginia, winning the race despite a text message scandal.

    She will be referred to with traditional formality: “Madam Governor” or, as some officials phrase it, “her excellency.”

    Spanberger’s inauguration marks a new chapter in the state, with Democrats pulling the levers of power in state government while Republicans run neighboring Washington. The state Democrats picked up 13 seats in the House of Delegates a year after the party’s stunning losses nationwide in the 2024 presidential election.

    Abigail Spanberger Is Sworn In As First Female Virginia Governor

    Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger arrives for her Inauguration ceremony at the Virginia State Capitol on January 17, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia

    Alex Wong / Getty Images


    The governor ran on a vow to protect Virginia’s economy from the aggressive tactics of Mr. Trump’s administration. On the trail, she spoke of the White House’s gutting the civil service, rising costs of goods and changes impacting the state’s already fragile health care system. 

    She addressed these issues during her inauguration speech, saying she knows many “are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington,” which is cutting healthcare access, imperiling rural hospitals, and driving up costs. She added she know many are worried about “Washington policies that are closing off markets, hurting innovation and private industry, and attacking those who have devoted their lives to public service.”

    Democrats in the statehouse have vowed to work with Spanberger to push through their bullish agenda, which includes redrawing the state’s Congressional district map ahead of the midterm elections this year.

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  • Spanberger to become Virginia’s first woman governor during historic inauguration – WTOP News

    Abigail Spanberger will be sworn in during a historic inaugural ceremony Saturday at noon, at which point she’ll become Virginia’s first woman to serve as governor.

    The ceremony will be held outdoors on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond, Virginia. The ticket lottery is now closed and winners have been notified.

    If you weren’t lucky enough to score a ticket to the event, you can still watch a livestream of the ceremony below once the feed kicks on.

    Also being sworn in Saturday are Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman to win statewide office anywhere in the country, and Jay Jones, who will become Virginia’s first Black attorney general.

    The inaugural parade will start immediately after the noon ceremony and will travel through Richmond’s Capitol Square. More than 25 groups and organizations will participate. The day’s festivities conclude with an inaugural ball in Richmond’s Main Street Station. Click here to see a full rundown of the day’s events.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • Virginia prepares for historic moment as Spanberger takes office in Richmond – WTOP News

    Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger will make history once she takes office this weekend, becoming the state’s first female governor.

    Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger will make history once she takes office this weekend, becoming the state’s first female governor.

    Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in November, but the election set the state up for a historic inauguration weekend regardless of the winner.

    Spanberger, who will become the state’s 75th governor, has an inaugural ceremony scheduled for Saturday at noon in Richmond. The event’s theme is “United for Virginia’s Future.”

    “Virginia has known that it was going to have a woman governor for the last several months, but it will be a crowning moment for Virginia politics when that day comes to pass,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.

    In an interview with The Associated Press, Spanberger said she’s still processing the significance of the moment.

    With Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill’s election victories, there will be 14 female governors in the U.S. But, Kelly Dittmar, director of research at Rutgers University’s Center for American Women and Politics, said that women are still underrepresented at the gubernatorial level.

    “It shows progress, because it wasn’t only that those women came out of nowhere, right?” Dittmar said. “These were women who’ve established their political credentials and qualifications and done so in ways that are similar to their male counterparts.”

    In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi was elected to be the state’s next lieutenant governor, the first Indian American to win statewide office there.

    Having two women top a statewide ticket has become more common, Dittmar said, and what it demonstrates is that “women are in the kind of pools and of potential candidates to be recruited and supported and ultimately nominated to be governor and then, of course, to be successful at the end of the day.”

    Many of the women who have become governors served in state legislatures or Congress, which could be “feeder positions” for gubernatorial or higher offices, Dittmar said.

    “We have seen that the challenge for women to get into the running and ultimately into gubernatorial office also comes from some gatekeeping we’ve seen by parties,” Dittmar said.

    “And so the fact that we again saw parties really backing these women in terms of selection, to some extent, at least at the state level, that was evidence that also, party leaders are starting to see the benefit of more inclusion in office.”

    Generally, most women who run for political office aren’t themselves making a case to be elected because it could be historic, Dittmar said.

    “What we saw with Sherrill and Spanberger, in particular, is that they were focused on, ‘Here are the issues that are most important to the voters in our state. I am fully qualified to do this job,’” Dittmar said.

    “When and where they kind of brought gender into their campaign was more in the specific roles and experiences, the lived experiences they have had as women, particularly as mothers, I think in both cases, talking about how that perspective and lived experience is going to help them to do the job better.”

    However, Dittmar said, there’s been little racial and ethnic diversity among the women who have served, “and so that is something to look forward toward.”

    Spanberger’s latest administration appointments

    Ahead of her inauguration weekend, Spanberger tapped Jenna Conway to be the state superintendent of public instruction.

    Conway is currently chief of early learning and specialized populations at Virginia’s Department of Education, helping make sure every child is prepared for kindergarten. She’s a Charlottesville City Schools graduate.

    Connor Andrews, meanwhile, was named deputy secretary. He worked as a policy analyst under former Gov. Ralph Northam, and has been working as the University of Virginia’s director for state government relations.

    Spanberger named Carrie Chenery the secretary of commerce and trade. Chenery once worked as assistant secretary of agriculture and forestry in the Office of the Governor. She founded Valley Pike Partners, a consulting firm based in the Shenandoah Valley.

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    Scott Gelman

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  • Gov. Youngkin touts economic, education gains in final address to Virginia General Assembly – WTOP News

    In his final State of the Commonwealth address, outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged lawmakers not to undo core policies he credits for economic growth as he prepares to hand power to Abigail Spanberger.

    This article was reprinted with permission from Virginia Mercury. 

    Gov. Glenn Youngkin looks into the gallery of the House of Delegates before delivering his final State of the Commonwealth speech on Jan. 14, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)(Virginia Mercury/Charlotte Rene Woods)

    In his final State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening, outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin offered a sweeping defense of his four-year tenure, arguing that Virginia is stronger economically, fiscally and educationally than when he took office in January 2022, as he prepares to hand power to Abigail Spanberger, who will be sworn in as the state’s 75th governor this weekend.

    Speaking before a joint session of the General Assembly, Youngkin framed his farewell address as both a victory lap and a warning — praising bipartisan cooperation where it occurred, but urging lawmakers not to undo core policies he credits for economic growth, particularly right-to-work laws, tax cuts and his administration’s approach to energy and education.

    “This is the state of the commonwealth that I have had the immense honor of serving these past four years,” Youngkin said, thanking lawmakers and Virginians as he prepares to leave office. “By every single metric, today Virginia is stronger than she has ever been.”

    Youngkin, a Republican elected in 2021, entered office amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath, school closures, rising violent crime and economic uncertainty.

    He repeatedly contrasted those conditions with what he described as a “Great Virginia Renaissance,” asserting that his administration reversed population loss, restored job growth and stabilized state finances.

    Among his central claims was that Virginia has attracted more than $157 billion in business investment during his term, which he said exceeds the combined total of the previous six administrations.

    He pointed to major projects involving companies such as LEGO, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca and Hitachi, along with recent manufacturing announcements in Southside and the Piedmont.

    Virginia, he said, is “a winning state,” with nearly 270,000 more people working now than when he took office and tens of thousands of additional jobs in the pipeline.

    Those investments, Youngkin argued, are directly tied to policies that future lawmakers should preserve, including Virginia’s right-to-work law, which prohibits mandatory union membership.

    “Change Right to Work and jobs will disappear,” he warned. “No amendments. No reforms. No changes.”

    Youngkin also emphasized record state revenues, citing more than $10 billion in budget surpluses over four years and roughly $9 billion in tax relief enacted during his administration.

    He said December revenue numbers showed continued growth, allowing for additional tax cuts alongside expanded funding for education, Medicaid, public safety and capital projects.

    Those budget decisions have been a point of contention for Democrats, who argue that repeated rounds of tax cuts risk limiting long-term investments and question whether recent revenue surpluses are sustainable.

    Education was another cornerstone of Youngkin’s address, particularly his administration’s response to pandemic-era learning loss. He cited Virginia’s ranking near the bottom nationally in reopening schools when he took office and claimed the state has since led the nation in math recovery and reductions in chronic absenteeism.

    “We were 46th in the nation to reopen our schools,” Youngkin said. “The learning loss was devastating.”

    He credited bipartisan legislation, including the Virginia Literacy Act and investments in tutoring, lab schools and career and technical education, for improved outcomes.

    According to Youngkin, four out of five Virginia high school students now graduate with a credential or certificate, and teacher pay has increased nearly 20%, contributing to a sharp drop in vacancies.

    Those reforms have also drawn scrutiny, with ongoing disputes over testing standards, lab school governance and parental rights policies championed by Youngkin, including restrictions on school mask mandates and curriculum content.

    Public safety and behavioral health featured prominently as well.

    Youngkin said violent crime, including murders, has declined roughly 30% statewide during his term, crediting law enforcement funding, anti-gang initiatives and fentanyl enforcement. He highlighted a 59% reduction in fatal fentanyl overdoses, attributing the drop to tougher penalties, public awareness campaigns and expanded access to naloxone.

    On behavioral health, Youngkin touted what he called a complete system overhaul, citing major expansions in crisis beds, mobile crisis teams and the 988 hotline. The administration’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative has drawn bipartisan praise but also questions about workforce shortages and long-term funding.

    Energy policy marked one of the sharpest contrasts with Democrats and the incoming administration.

    Youngkin reiterated his opposition to rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and urged lawmakers to repeal the Virginia Clean Economy Act, arguing that renewable energy mandates alone cannot meet Virginia’s growing demand, particularly from data centers.

    “We need to double our generating capacity in the next 10 years. Renewables alone, which will drive up costs and risk brownouts, just can’t get it done,” he said, calling for expanded natural gas and nuclear power.

    Democrats have countered that abandoning clean energy targets would undermine climate goals and increase long-term costs, a debate likely to intensify under Spanberger’s administration.

    Youngkin closed his address with a reflection on Virginia’s role in the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, linking his administration’s emphasis on “commonsense” governance to the state’s founding legacy.

    “It has been the honor of a lifetime for Suzanne and me to serve,” he said. “We have strengthened the spirit of Virginia — together.”

    Will Vitka

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  • Virginia voter guide: Another special election ahead in Fairfax County to replace a longtime delegate – WTOP News

    Voters in part of Fairfax County will soon head to the polls to fill an open seat vacated by Mark Sickles in Virginia’s House of Delegates for District 17.

    Voters in part of Fairfax County will soon head to the polls to fill an open seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates for District 17.

    Early voting opens Saturday and the special election will be held Jan. 20 to find a replacement for Democratic Del. Mark Sickles.

    It’s one of a series of special elections triggered by sporadic appointments to Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s cabinet, including an upcoming contest that will take place in another part of Fairfax County and Fairfax City.

    The candidates on the ballot in District 17 are Democrat Garrett McGuire and Republican Chris Cardiff.

    Cardiff previously worked as the chief operating officer at a data analytics company with a focus on political campaigns.

    According to his LinkedIn, McGuire worked as a legislative assistant in the Virginia House of Delegates and served with several local nonprofits.

    McGuire has been endorsed by the district’s outgoing representative.

    After more than 20 years in the Virginia General Assembly, Sickles is leaving his seat behind to join Spanberger’s cabinet as the secretary of finance.

    Following Sickles’ appointment, each party had about a week to nominate a candidate for the special election. McGuire won the Democratic nomination during a firehouse primary last month and Republicans selected McGuire as their nominee.

    Outside of Sickles’ departure, a handful of sitting lawmakers are resigning from the Virginia General Assembly to join Spanberger’s administration.

    The contest on Jan. 20 will be the second special election in Fairfax County this month.

    Voters are also headed to the polls Jan. 13 to fill an open seat vacated by District 11 Del. David Bulova. That same day, voters in parts of Prince William and Stafford counties will elect a new delegate to replace Del. Candi Mundon King, who represents District 23.

    Dates at a glance

    • Early in-person voting: Jan. 10 through Jan. 17
    • Deadline to register or update voter registration: Jan. 13
    • Deadline to request mail-in or absentee ballot: Jan. 9
    • Election Day: Jan. 20

    Early voting

    There will be two locations offering early voting from Jan. 10 through Jan. 17.

    Early voting will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center:

    • On weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    And ballots can be cast at the at the Franconia Governmental Center:

    • On weekdays, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    • On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Check in with your local registrar’s office for more information on voting early.

    Voting on Election Day

    Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for in-person voting on Jan. 20.

    There’s a tool on Fairfax County’s website to show you where to vote.

    Curbside voting is available to people who are 65 or older, or those with disabilities.

    Voters needs to bring a valid ID to the polls. If you happen to forget, you can sign an ID confirmation statement or vote with a provisional ballot.

    To get your provisional ballot counted, you have until noon on Jan. 23 to bring a copy of your ID to the local electoral board or sign a confirmation statement.

    A list of acceptable forms of ID is available online.

    Vote by mail

    Virginians don’t have much time left to request a mail-in ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Jan. 9.

    To be tallied, absentee ballots have to be postmarked on or before the special election, and received by Jan. 23.

    Outside of mailing those absentee ballots, voters can also bring them to a drop-off location. Check in with your city or county elections office for information about drop boxes and their locations.

    Jessica Kronzer

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  • Who has Virginia’s Governor-elect appointed to her cabinet? – WTOP News

    Nonetheless, experts said the appointments suggest Spanberger will begin working quickly once she takes office, and her focus, as it was during the campaign cycle, will be affordability.

    With her inauguration scheduled for next weekend, Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has been filling out her cabinet.

    The selections, which range from experts who served under previous governors to state lawmakers, still have to be approved by the General Assembly.

    Nonetheless, experts said the appointments suggest Spanberger will begin working quickly once she takes office, and her focus, as it was during the campaign cycle, will be affordability.

    “You do see a range of representation across the geographical and political diversity of Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “You see a vision that is consistent with the centrist messaging of the campaign.”

    So who has Spanberger appointed so far?

    Spanberger’s appointees

    Marvin Figueroa, health and human resources secretary

    Virginia’s HHR secretary has oversight of 12 state agencies.

    Figueroa is vice president at BGR Group, working on state and federal health policy. He was once health policy adviser to Sen. Mark Warner and served as a senior official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Figueroa, who lives in Arlington, was deputy secretary of health and human resources under former Gov. Ralph Northam.

    In a statement, he said the challenges Virginians are facing “are real. Families are feeling the strain of rising costs, uneven access to care and systems that are often too hard to navigate.”

    Katie Frazier, secretary of agriculture and forestry

    Since 2018, Frazier has worked as the chief brand officer for Farm Credit of the Virginias, which helps provide financing for equipment, livestock, land purchases and farm and country home loans, according to its website. In that role, she leads marketing, education, legislative and advocacy efforts, according to a news release.

    Frazier previously worked as the executive director of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, a nonprofit trade group in Richmond.

    Frazier has worked on various issues, including soil and water conservation and workforce development, at the state and federal levels, according to a news release announcing her appointment.

    “Governor-elect Spanberger has been a steadfast champion and supporter of agriculture and forestry, a commitment that began during her time in Congress serving on the House Agriculture Committee,” Frazier said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with the Spanberger Administration, the General Assembly, and our partners to continue advancing a vision of economic growth and prosperity for our farmers, foresters, and agribusinesses.”

    Stanley Meador, secretary of public safety and homeland security

    Meador has worked in law enforcement for almost three decades, starting as a special agent with Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority in 1997.

    He was part of the response to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, and earned a Virginia “Declaration of Valor” for his work on that day.

    Then, Meador started a career with the FBI as a special agent, working in various field offices across the country. In 2021, Meador became special agent in charge at the FBI’s Richmond Field Office, tasked with oversight of national security and criminal investigations.

    Meador earned an undergraduate degree from Roanoke College and a master’s from American University in D.C.

    “Throughout my career, I have been committed to protecting our communities and strengthening the partnerships that keep them safe,” Meador said in a statement. “As a native Virginian, I look forward to supporting Governor-elect Spanberger’s vision with the same dedication, integrity, and commitment that have guided my service for nearly three decades.”

    Nick Donohue, secretary of transportation

    Donohue founded Transportation and Infrastructure Strategies LLC, advising public and private sector clients on various issues. He’s worked under three Virginia governors, working with state lawmakers to create the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program and “secure the first dedicated capital funding for WMATA,” according to a news release.

    Donohue was involved with the Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, helping to increase Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express service across the state. He also helped with the development of SMART SCALE, Virginia’s project prioritization process.

    David Ramadan, a former House of Delegates member now a professor of practice at George Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, said Donohue is “probably the foremost person who knows everything there is to know about transportation in Virginia.”

    Candi Mundon King, secretary of the commonwealth

    Mundon King is one of several state lawmakers Spanberger has appointed to her cabinet. She’s served Virginia’s 23rd district in the House of Delegates since 2021, representing parts of Prince William and Stafford counties.

    She chairs the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns and has prioritized getting pay raises for teachers, protecting human trafficking victims and ensuring home health care workers get paid sick leave.

    Before Mundon King was elected to office, she worked at public policy and philanthropy organizations, including the Gates Foundation and CARE.

    Mundon King was born and raised in Portsmouth and lives in Dumfries.

    Ramadan told WTOP adding cabinet members from the General Assembly will help Spanberger get her agenda passed.

    “They are independent bodies with minds of their own and priorities of their own, despite the cooperation and coordination with the leadership,” said Ramadan, a former delegate. “Therefore, having members of your cabinet and sub cabinet positions of people that know the process, know the people in the House and the Senate have the relationships, is a must.”

    Army Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams

    Williams worked under three Virginia governors as adjutant general of the state for nine years. In 2023, he retired, after 38 years working with the Army.

    In his role as adjutant general, Williams headed Virginia’s Department of Military Affairs, which supports the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Defense Force.

    Williams led the Guard through the pandemic, helping with testing and vaccines.

    Since his retirement, Williams has worked as adviser to the Chief of National Guard Bureau on intergovernmental affairs.

    Williams has served at every level of the military.

    “I share Governor-elect Spanberger’s focus on making sure Virginia communities have the resources they need to keep their citizens safe, so we will make sure the Virginia National Guard is always ready and always there to rapidly respond as part of Virginia’s multi-agency team to provide capabilities when Virginians are impacted by severe weather or a security threat,” Williams said in a statement.

    Mark Sickles, secretary of finance

    Sickles has represented part of Fairfax County in Virginia’s House for over two decades. He’s currently the chair of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, and he has chaired the House Health and Human Services Committee since 2004.

    During his time in office, Sickles has prioritized investing in libraries, protecting endangered species and led the transition from Healthcare.gov to Virginia’s Health Insurance Exchange.

    Ramadan, with George Mason, said Sickles was vice chair of appropriations in the House, and “knows everything there is to know about the budget.”

    Traci Deshazor, secretary of administration

    Deshazor worked as deputy secretary of the commonwealth under former governors Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe. In that role, she helped with clemency and restoring civil and voting rights of over 300,000 Virginians.

    Locally, Deshazor worked as deputy chief administrative officer for human services in the City of Richmond. During that stint, she created a new city agency, the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, and created the Office of Homeless Services and Office of Neighborhood and Community Services.

    Deshazor also worked as the first chief equity officer for the City of Richmond.

    “As secretary of administration, I will bring a people-first, outcomes-driven approach to strengthening Virginia’s operations, promoting transparency, and strengthening trust in government,” Deshazor said.

    Jessica Looman, secretary of labor

    Former President Joe Biden appointed Looman to serve as administrator for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and she led the agency from 2021 to 2025.

    She’s previously worked as commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Commerce, with oversight of insurance and financial institution regulation.

    Looman worked as a senior fellow at the NYU Wagner Labor Initiative, crafting ways to help state and local governments protect workers’ rights and offer insight on child labor and interstate collaboration.

    “I share Governor-elect Spanberger’s vision that both investing in the creation of good jobs and protecting workers are essential to sustaining the Commonwealth’s economic growth and shared prosperity,” Looman said.

    Jeffery Smith, secretary of education

    Smith has over a decade of experience as a superintendent, leading Hampton City schools for eight years and Town of West Point schools for seven.

    His career has featured over 30 years in public school education, and during his tenure, Hampton City schools improved graduation rates and reported declines in dropout rates.

    Smith is currently the executive director and CEO of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center.

    In an interview with WTOP, Spanberger said Smith has “done innovative, really thoughtful things in the communities that he has served. And so I look forward to seeing the perspective that he brings to the secretariat as a whole.”

    Sesha Joi Moon, chief diversity officer

    Moon worked as chief diversity officer of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 117th and 118th Congresses, heading the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

    She previously served as chief impact officer with Girl Scouts USA and chief diversity officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Moon lives in Fairfax but is from Richmond.

    “As a proud Virginia native, I look forward to joining the cabinet of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger as her historic administration works to advance a future in which all Virginians have access to opportunity — to include residents from some of the hardest-to-reach communities throughout the Commonwealth,” Moon said in a statement.

    Matt McGuire, counsel to the governor

    McGuire has worked in private practice and academia, and worked as principal deputy solicitor general and executive division counsel under former Attorney General Mark Herring.

    He co-taught a seminar at the University of Richmond’s law school and has argued cases at each level of the federal and Virginia court systems and the U.S. Supreme Court.

    “I’ll draw on my extensive experience with public law issues, my global background in business and technology matters as well as litigation to ensure the Governor-elect’s crucial policies will benefit Virginians for years to come,” McGuire said in a statement.

    David Bulova, secretary of natural and historic resources

    Bulova has been a delegate in Virginia’s House, representing parts of Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax, since he was first elected in 2005.

    He is chair of the General Laws Committee and the Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.

    Bulova is on the Chesapeake Bay Commission and has focused on legislation and funding for conservation and restoration of Virginia’s natural resources.

    “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with our Governor-elect, the General Assembly, and the many partners that work hard every day to fulfill the promise outlined in Virginia’s constitution ‘to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth,” Bulova said in a statement.

    Scott Gelman

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  • How to get tickets for Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration in January – WTOP News

    The inauguration ceremony will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at noon on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond.

    Viewing the inauguration of Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger will be a right reserved for winners of a ticket lottery, her inaugural committee announced Friday.

    The inauguration ceremony will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at noon on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required due to limited seating.

    Those who would like to attend can enter the ticket lottery online, and will be asked to provide their name, phone number, email and mailing address.

    “We will welcome as many Virginians as possible to Capitol Square on January 17,” Spanberger said in a news release. “I am so grateful for the excitement, support, and visions for our future that Virginians across the Commonwealth have shared with me over the last several weeks. I encourage anyone who hopes to celebrate with us next month to enter our ticket lottery.”

    The theme for the inauguration is “United for Virginia’s Future,” which Spanberger’s office said “reflects the collective pride and common goals that will move the Commonwealth forward.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • U.S. Capitol replaces statue of Robert E. Lee with teen civil rights icon Barbara Rose Johns

    The U.S. Capitol on Tuesday began displaying a statue of a teenaged Barbara Rose Johns as she protested poor conditions at her segregated Virginia high school, a pointed replacement for a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was removed several years ago.

    An unveiling ceremony of the statue representing Virginia in the Capitol took place in Emancipation Hall, featuring Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia’s congressional delegation and Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.

    Johnson said more than 200 members of Johns’ family were on hand, listening on as the ceremony included renditions of “How Great Thou Art,” “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round” and “Total Praise” performed by the Eastern Senior High School choir from Washington.

    “We are here to honor one of America’s true trailblazers, a woman who embodied the essence of the American spirit in her fight for liberty and justice and equal treatment under the law, the indomitable Barbara Rose Johns,” Johnson said.

    Johns was 16 years old in 1951 when she led a student strike for equal education at the segregated R.R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia. The protest, led by Johns and hundreds of her classmates, sought to draw attention to the crowded, rundown conditions of their school — especially when compared to all-White schools in the same area.

    The students’ cause gained the support of NAACP lawyers, who filed a lawsuit that would become one of the five cases that the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed in Brown v. Board of Education. The high court’s landmark 1954 decision declared “separate but equal” public schools unconstitutional, finding segregated schools to be “inherently unequal.”

    Johns later married the Rev. William Powell and became Barbara Rose Johns Powell, raised five children and was a librarian in the Philadelphia Public Schools. She died at 56 in 1991.

    “She put God first in her life. She was brave, bold, determined, strong, wise, unselfish, warm and loving,” said Terry Harrison, one of her daughters.

    The statue shows the young Johns standing to the side of a lectern, holding a tattered book over her head. Its pedestal is engraved with the words, “Are we going to just accept these conditions, or are we going to do something about it?” It also features a quote from the Book of Isaiah, “And a little child shall lead them.”

    The statue replaces one of Lee that was removed in December 2020 from the Capitol, where it had represented Virginia for 111 years. The removal occurred during a time of renewed national attention over Confederate monuments after the death of George Floyd and was relocated to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

    “The Commonwealth of Virginia will now be properly represented by an actual patriot who embodied the principle of liberty and justice for all, and not a traitor who took up arms against the United States to preserve the brutal institution of chattel slavery,” Jeffries said at the ceremony.

    Johns’ sister, Joan Johns Cobbs, read from a journal entry by Johns: “And then there were times I just prayed, ‘God, please grant us a new school, please let us have a warm place to stay where we won’t have to keep our coats on all day to stay warm. God, please help us. We are your children too.’”

    The Johns piece is part of the National Statuary Hall Collection at the Capitol, in which each state can contribute two statues. The other statue representing Virginia is of George Washington.

    National Statuary Hall displays 35 of the statues. Others are in the Crypt, the Hall of Columns and the Capitol Visitor Center. Johnson said the Johns statue will be placed in the Crypt.

    Former Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam had requested the removal of the Lee statue. In December 2020, a state commission recommended replacing Lee’s statue with a statue of Johns.

    The Johns statue, sculpted by Steven Weitzman of Maryland, received final approval from the Architect of the Capitol and the Joint Committee on the Library in July.

    Johns is also featured in a sculpture at the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial outside the state Capitol in Richmond. The former high school is now a National Historic Landmark and museum.

    “It’s an incredibly profound moment, a moment to stand in a tar shack classroom with a hot potbelly stove as a heater, tar paper walls, shabby desks, right where 16-year-old Barbara Rose Johns courageously organized her schoolmates and stood up to the lie — the lie was separate but equal,” Youngkin said of the museum.

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  • After years of vetoes, Virginia poised to launch adult-use cannabis market – WTOP News

    Spanberger’s election clears the way for a regulated retail system, with legislators set to introduce a revamped bill shaped by months of hearings and equity debates.

    This article was reprinted with permission from Virginia Mercury. 

    After four years of stalled efforts and repeated vetoes from outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Virginia lawmakers now see a clear path to finally standing up a legal adult-use cannabis market.

    During her campaign, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, elected governor two weeks ago, pledged to sign legislation establishing a regulated retail system — reversing the impasse that kept marijuana sales in limbo since Virginia legalized possession and home cultivation in 2021.

    Lawmakers and advocates say the absence of a retail structure has fueled an unregulated market increasingly dominated by illicit operators.

    At its next meeting on Dec. 2, the Joint Commission on the Future of Cannabis Sales, which the legislature created earlier this year, will roll out its finalized proposal for a retail framework it hopes the General Assembly will pass during the 2026 session. If lawmakers send the bill to Spanberger’s desk early next year, sales could begin as early as fall 2026.

    The legislation will be carried by Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, the commission’s chair, and Sens. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach. Krizek told The Mercury in an interview last week that Spanberger’s election removed the biggest roadblock lawmakers had faced to date.

    He said the outcome was “a good day for public safety and for communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition,” and a chance to finally direct tax revenue toward priorities such as job training and education. By contrast, he said, “It was a bad day for organized crime in the illicit cannabis market.”

    After years of pushing a bill under a governor “that was unwilling to discuss it at all and just vetoed our bill,” he said lawmakers now have the opportunity they have been waiting for.

    “We’ve got to stand up this legal marketplace sooner rather than later,” Krizek said.

    Final proposal pending

    At the December meeting, Krizek said, the commission will present a proposal that incorporates months of stakeholder testimony and adjustments intended to strengthen equity provisions and improve opportunities for small growers.

    He described the legislation as one that “addresses the historical injustice” and adds new programs to earlier drafts, including guaranteed shelf space at medical cannabis dispensaries for micro-enterprise farmers once adult-use sales begin.

    “There’s going to be a lot of new and interesting programs and good stuff in there that will help create a well-regulated market that’s going to be good for everybody,” he said.

    Krizek expects meaningful but not sweeping revisions to earlier proposals — changes “around the edges” based on feedback from stakeholders and the public.

    The extra time created by Youngkin’s opposition, he added, allowed lawmakers to refine the legislation. “The only good thing that the current governor has done for us is he has given us more time to perfect this bill,” Krizek said.

    But organized crime, Krizek said, “has had time to get a stranglehold on sales,” making it essential for the state to move quickly while still giving the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority enough time to roll out the marketplace.

    He noted that the strong election results and lessons learned from the commission’s hearings will shape the bill, and he expects those hearings to continue for at least the next two years.

    Spanberger said in an interview with The Mercury in August that she would sign the commission’s proposal.

    “I support a legal marketplace for cannabis,” she said at the time. “I want to ensure that it is fully regulated, people know what they’re buying, and revenues go towards education.”

    The commission’s summer hearings — its first round of work since its creation — included presentations on public safety, market structure, licensing and regulatory models.

    A long path to legalization

    Virginia legalized simple possession and home cultivation in 2021 under Democratic control and then-Gov. Ralph Northam. But creating a retail market required a second vote under the state’s reenactment clause.

    When Republicans took the House in 2022 and Youngkin expressed opposition to commercial marijuana sales, the process stalled. Still, lawmakers sent multiple versions of a retail bill to Youngkin, who vetoed every proposal, including the one he received earlier this year.

    With no legal retail option, unregulated storefronts and delivery services proliferated. Local officials have raised concerns about public safety and product testing, and law enforcement agencies have struggled to distinguish legal CBD products from illegal THC imports. But the refined proposal aims to create a regulated, equitable market after years of uncertainty.

    CCA launches new medical cannabis portal

    As lawmakers prepare for a broader retail system, the CCA last week rolled out a new online portal to streamline medical cannabis certification.

    “The new CCA Portal was designed with practitioners and patients in mind,” the agency said in a news release. The platform, which is mobile-friendly, “offers stronger protection for personal information, safeguards against fraud, and provides a simpler process,” while maintaining clear records of every change.

    Jamie Patten, the CCA’s acting head and chief administrative officer, called the upgrade “a major step forward for Virginia’s medical cannabis program. It’s safer, faster, and easier to use, and it helps us better protect patient information while supporting the integrity of the program.”

    Patients will now receive email instructions to view, save or print their certification for dispensary visits. Practitioners can print certifications as needed.

    Federal hemp restrictions unlikely to affect Virginia’s plans
    A continuing resolution passed by Congress last week included an agriculture appropriations bill that effectively shut down much of the U.S. hemp industry by reinstating stricter federal enforcement — a move that analysts say reverses the flexibility created under the 2018 Farm Bill.

    But Krizek said the federal action does not affect Virginia’s push for adult-use marijuana sales.

    “Our legislation is not a hemp bill,” he said. “This is creating a formalized and legal adult marijuana marketplace.”

    Cannabis equity advocates say Spanberger’s victory opens the door for stronger protections against market consolidation and more robust investments in communities disproportionately harmed by prohibition.

    Chelsea Higgs Wise, co-founder of Marijuana Justice, said the final bill should ensure fair competition by sequencing applications and limiting canopy size for pharmaceutical processors so they cannot dominate the market at launch.

    The legislation should set a uniform Jan. 1, 2027 start date, Wise said, so Virginia entrepreneurs can compete on equal footing, rather than allowing medical operators an early-sales advantage.

    She also urged lawmakers to clearly define what “equal and meaningful opportunity” means in licensing and ensure patient access is protected as the adult-use market comes online.

    Wise also called for stronger equity provisions, including updated language that explicitly acknowledges the harm of past prohibition and commits to repairing it through impact licenses, reinvestment programs and measurable small-business ownership goals.

    Lawmakers should include micro-licenses, delivery options, nursery and craft licenses, event permits, and direct-to-consumer sales opportunities for small cultivators, Wise further suggested. She supports a 10,000-plant cap to prevent consolidation by major operators and says half of the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund should go to the Equity Business Loan Fund.

    With Spanberger set to take office in January and Democrats maintaining the legislature, lawmakers say Virginia is finally positioned to finish the work that began in 2021.

    “We’re going to make some real positive progress,” Krizek said. “This is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.”

    Diane Morris

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  • Youngkin slams Spanberger’s request to pause U.Va. president search – WTOP News

    Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded directly to Abigail Spanberger with a letter saying her request to pause U.Va.’s search for a president is possibly damaging to the university.

    Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded directly to Abigail Spanberger in a letter, calling her request to pause the University of Virginia’s search for a president “meritless,” precipitous and possibly damaging to the university.

    The Republican governor wrote that when he spoke with Spanberger, Virginia’s Democratic governor-elect, earlier in the week, she had briefly mentioned sending a letter about the school, “but moved to a different topic so quickly that it seemed unimportant at the time.”

    Spanberger sent a letter to the university’s Board of Visitors on Wednesday, asking it to pause its search for a new president until she was sworn in and could appoint new board members.

    In his response to Spanberger, Youngkin wrote that “by acting precipitously, you may have inflicted significant damage on the university you profess to love.”

    Former university President Jim Ryan resigned during the summer over pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration and conservative critics over the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

    Spanberger said federal overreach that led to Ryan’s departure went unchallenged by the University of Virginia board.

    Youngkin, however, wrote that no Trump administration officials nor current board leadership made Ryan resign.

    In the months following his resignation, the university struck a deal with the White House to abide by guidance forbidding discrimination in admissions and hiring in order to end the Justice Department’s investigations into the school.

    “Over the past six months, the actions of the Board of Visitors have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University,” Spanberger wrote in her letter Wednesday.

    In his letter to Spanberger, Youngkin questioned whether she knew the details of the settlement.

    “Had you waited until your transition team had the opportunity to learn all the facts behind this settlement, I believe you would agree with the many national experts who view it as extraordinarily fair and favorable to the University and Commonwealth,” he wrote.

    Youngkin also wrote that Spanberger’s assertion that the composition of the board is not in statutory compliance is “meritless” and has been rejected by the Court of Appeals of Virginia.

    Spanberger had written to the board that five of its members have not been confirmed by the General Assembly, and questioned the legitimacy of its search.

    “It’s dangerous to wrongfully disparage committed individuals who volunteer to serve on university boards and the serious work they do. Further, the Governor of the Commonwealth should speak thoughtfully and honor the service of those individuals,” Youngkin wrote.

    In her letter to UVA’s board, Spanberger said she’ll be ready to select appointees soon after her inauguration on Jan. 17. They are likely to be pushed through quickly by the General Assembly, as both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

    But Youngkin reminded her there’s a transition period for a reason.

    “There is just one Governor of Virginia at any time. This ensures that the Commonwealth’s operations can continue unimpeded. Communicating with state agencies or boards of visitors is confusing and is inconsistent with proven, professional protocols. And certainly, efforts to bully or micromanage are inappropriate,” Youngkin wrote to Spanberger. “It’s regretful that I must communicate to you in this manner, but your correspondence left no other choice.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • Spanberger asks U.Va. board to pause search for new president amid Trump scrutiny – WTOP News

    Abigail Spanberger is asking the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia to pause its search for a new president until she’s sworn in and can appoint new board members.

    Virginia’s governor-elect is asking the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia to pause its search for a new president until she’s sworn in and can appoint — and the General Assembly can confirm — new board members.

    Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat and alumna of the school, said in a letter Wednesday to the university’s rector and vice rector who head the board, that she’s “deeply concerned by recent developments” at the university and how they might affect the legitimacy of the search for a new president.

    The school’s last president, James Ryan, resigned during the summer over pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration and conservative critics over the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

    Spanberger said federal overreach that led to Ryan’s departure went unchallenged by the University of Virginia board.

    In the aftermath, the school declined a request from the Trump administration to make commitments aligned with the president’s priorities in exchange for favorable access to funding. But days later, the university struck a deal with the White House to abide by guidance forbidding discrimination in admissions and hiring in order to end the Justice Department’s investigations into the school.

    In her letter, Spanberger called the university’s actions into question.

    “Over the past six months, the actions of the Board of Visitors have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University,” she wrote.

    Making things worse in Spanberger’s mind, five members of the board have not been confirmed by the General Assembly, meaning the board’s composition is in violation of statutory requirements.

    Spanberger went on to request the board refrain from “rushing” the search and selection of finalists for the presidency until the board is full and in compliance, “meaning that I have appointed and the General Assembly has confirmed” new board members.

    It’s a signal of Spanberger’s willingness to challenge the Trump administration, which has been targeting universities across the country that don’t align with its priorities.

    She said she’ll be making her board appointments soon after her inauguration on Jan. 17. Her appointees are likely to be pushed through quickly by the General Assembly, as both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

    “It will be a priority of my administration to stabilize and normalize the leadership of our public colleges and universities,” Spanberger wrote.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • Democrats are hopeful again. But unresolved questions remain about party’s path forward

    WASHINGTON (AP) — For a day, at least, beleaguered Democrats are hopeful again. But just beneath the party’s relief at securing its first big electoral wins since last November’s drubbing lay unresolved questions about its direction heading into next year’s midterm elections.

    The Election Day romp of Republicans stretched from deep-blue New York and California to swing states Georgia, Pennsylvania and Virginia. There were signs that key voting groups, including young people, Black voters and Hispanics who shifted toward President Donald Trump’s Republican Party just a year ago, may be shifting back. And Democratic leaders across the political spectrum coalesced behind a simple message focused on Trump’s failure to address rising costs and everyday kitchen table issues.

    The dominant performance sparked a new round of debate among the party’s establishment-minded pragmatists and fiery progressives over which approach led to Tuesday’s victories, and which path to take into the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections and beyond. The lessons Democrats learn from the victories will help determine the party’s leading message and messengers next year — when elections will decide the balance of power in Congress for the second half of Trump’s term — and potentially in the 2028 presidential race, which has already entered its earliest stages.

    People cheer as Democrat Abigail Spanberger walks out on stage after she was declared the winner of the Virginia governor’s race during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

    “Of course, there’s a division within the Democratic Party. There’s no secret,” Sen. Bernie Sanders told reporters at a Capitol Hill press conference about the election results.

    Sanders and his chief political strategist pointed to the success of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as a model for Democrats across the country. But Rep. Suzan Del Bene, who leads the House Democrats’ midterm campaign strategy, avoided saying Mamdani’s name when asked about his success.

    Del Bene instead cheered the moderate approach adopted by Democrats Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill in successful races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey as a more viable track for candidates outside of a Democratic stronghold like New York City.

    “New York is bright blue … and the path to the majority in the House is going to be through purple districts,” she told The Associated Press. “The people of Arizona, Iowa and Nebraska aren’t focused on the mayor of New York.”

    Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a likely Democratic presidential prospect who campaigned alongside Democrats in several states leading up to Tuesday’s elections, noted the candidates hit on a common issue that resonated with voters, regardless of location.

    “All of these candidates who won in these different states were focused on peoples’ everyday needs,” Shapiro said. “And you saw voters in every one of those states and cities showing up to send a clear message to Donald Trump that they’re rejecting his chaos.”

    Intraparty criticism

    Amid Democrats’ celebratory phone calls and news conferences, members of the party’s different wings had some sharp critiques for each other.

    While Shapiro cheered the party’s success during a Wednesday interview, he also acknowledged concerns about Mamdani in New York.

    Shapiro, one of the nation’s most prominent Jewish elected leaders, said he’s not comfortable with some of Mamdani’s comments on Israel. The New York mayor-elect, a Muslim, has described Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attacks as “genocide” against the Palestinian people and has been slow to condemn rhetoric linked to anti-Semitism.

    “I’ve expressed that to him personally. We’ve had good private communications,” Shapiro said of his concerns. “And I hope, as he did last night in his victory speech, that he’ll be a mayor that protects all New Yorkers and tries to bring people together.”

    Meanwhile, Sanders’ political strategist, Faiz Shakir, warned Democrats against embracing “cookie cutter campaigns that say nothing and do nothing” — a reference to centrist Democrats Spanberger and Sherrill.

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat who defeated democratic socialist Omar Fateh to win a third term, said at a news conference Wednesday that “we have to love our city more than our ideology.”

    “We need to be doing everything possible to push back on authoritarianism and what Donald Trump is doing,” Frey said. “And at the same time, the opposite of Donald Trump extremism is not the opposite extreme.”

    Signs welcomes voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

    Signs welcomes voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Del Mar, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

    Democrats win everywhere

    Despite potential cracks in the Democratic coalition, it’s hard to understate the extent of the party’s electoral success.

    In Georgia, two Democrats cruised to wins over Republican incumbents in elections to the state Public Service Commission, delivering the largest statewide margins of victory by Democrats in more than 20 years.

    In Pennsylvania, Democrats swept not only three state Supreme Court races, but every county seat in presidential swing counties like Bucks and Erie Counties, including sheriffs. Bucks County elected its first Democratic district attorney as Democrats there also won key school board races and county judgeships.

    Maine voters defeated a Republican-backed measure that would have mandated showing an ID at the polls. Colorado approved raising taxes on people earning more than $300,000 annually to fund school meal programs and food assistance for low-income state residents. And California voters overwhelmingly backed a charge led by Gov. Gavin Newsom to redraw its congressional map to give Democrats as many as five more House seats in upcoming elections.

    Key groups coming back to Democrats

    Trump made inroads with Black and Hispanic voters in 2024. But this week, Democrats scored strong performances with non-white voters in New Jersey and Virginia that offered promise.

    About 7 in 10 voters in New Jersey were white, according to the AP Voter Poll. And Sherrill won about half that group. But she made up for her relative weakness with whites with a strong showing among Black, Hispanic and Asian voters.

    The vast majority — about 9 in 10 — of Black voters supported Sherrill, as did about 8 in 10 Asian voters.

    Hispanic voters in New Jersey were more divided, but about two-thirds supported Sherrill; only about 3 in 10 voted for the Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli.

    The pattern was similar in Virginia, where Spanberger performed well among Black voters, Hispanic voters and Asian voters, even though she didn’t win a majority of white voters.

    This combination of photos taken on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, shows Abigail Spanberger in Richmond, Va., left, Zohran Mamdani in New York, center, and Mikie Sherrill in East Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, Yuki Iwamura and Matt Rourke)

    This combination of photos taken on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, shows Abigail Spanberger in Richmond, Va., left, Zohran Mamdani in New York, center, and Mikie Sherrill in East Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, Yuki Iwamura and Matt Rourke)

    Democrats will soon face a choice

    The debate over the party’s future is already starting to play out in key midterm elections where Democrats have just begun intra-party primary contests.

    The choice is stark in Maine’s high-stakes Senate race, where Democrats will pick from a field that features establishment favorite, Gov. Jan Mills, and Sanders-endorsed populist Graham Platner. A similar dynamic could play out in key contests across Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Michigan.

    Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who is aligned with the progressive wing of the party, said the people he speaks to are demanding bold action to address their economic concerns.

    “Folks are so frustrated by how hard its become to afford a dignified life here in Michigan and across the country,” he said.

    “I’m sure the corporate donors don’t want us to push too hard,” El-Sayed continued. “My worry is the very same people who told us we were just fine in 2024 will miss the mandate.”

    ___

    Associated Press reporter Mike Catalini in Newark and Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed.

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  • Va.’s governor-elect tells WTOP first executive orders will focus on affordability – WTOP News

    In a one-on-one interview with WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is laying out what she plans to accomplish during her first days as governor.

    Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has already made history in the Commonwealth, without even taking office, and in a one-on-one interview with WTOP’s Nick Iannelli, she’s laying out what she plans to accomplish during her first days in the governor’s mansion.

    In defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger became the first woman in the state to be elected governor.

    Her victory led a blue wave in Virginia, in which Democrats won in races for lieutenant governor and attorney general, and flipped 13 seats in the House of Delegates, giving them a super majority.

    That should make it much easier for Spanberger to implement her policies, and WTOP is learning more about what’s at the top of her list.

    The audio below has been edited for broadcast on WTOP.

    WTOP’s Nick Iannelli speaks to Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger about her day one priorities.

    Read the full interview below.

    The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      So let’s talk about day one priorities. When it was day one for Gov. Youngkin, he had a stack of executive orders to fast track his priorities and to reverse some of his predecessor’s policies.

      So on day one, is your day one going to look like that? Do you have a stack of executive orders and do you plan to do away with any of Youngkin’s policies?

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      Well, I am building out my day one stack. So, at this point in time, I am working on building out the day one priorities that I’ll be pursuing, certainly in concert with the General Assembly. I’ll need my partners in the legislative branch to be pursuing the legislation that I want to sign into law next year.

      And then I am also working on developing the executive orders that I will push out. What I can tell you is, I am working on building out a plan to best use the executive authority to ensure that we are delivering results for Virginia families, as it relates to contending with high costs and overall issues of affordability, particularly in housing and health care and in energy.

      There are some real unique challenges that so many Virginians are facing, certainly at this moment, because of the ongoing impacts of policies out of Washington, but also, of course, because of this ongoing shutdown. So we’re working on building out those executive orders that I will sign on the first day, but they will all be focused on issues of affordability.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      Do you plan on doing away with any of Youngkin’s policies, though? For example, Youngkin has been big on Virginia cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Do you plan on doing away with that, scrapping those priorities?

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      I have been clear on the fact that the executive order, I believe it’s 47, that he put out, mandating cooperation on immigration administrative action is something that I would change, and so that is something that I’ve been very clear on.

      Though, notably as a former law enforcement officer, cooperation between local, state and federal agencies is important when there is a warrant, and certainly when there is any sort of criminal offense. As a former law enforcement officer, I worked on many of those types of joint cases.

      So ultimately, that executive order that he put out is something that I’ve been quite clear that I would change.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      How about when it comes to Virginia’s relationship with the Trump administration? That is obviously going to change as Virginia is going to be completely controlled by Democrats now.

      Do you have any ideas in terms of taking legal action against the Trump administration? There was speculation that Virginia might do that if you won.

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      Well, I think certainly, as we have seen attacks on our federal employees, as we have seen the DOGE efforts come through, time and time and time again right now, with the efforts to take SNAP dollars away that were previously funded dollars allocated and legally should be distributed — the Trump administration’s choice to hold those dollars, that is something that’s been continually met with legal challenge. There have been states across the country that have challenged these actions and, unfortunately, Virginia has previously not joined in any of those efforts.

      So when it comes to anything that is defending the rights, the jobs, the livelihoods of Virginians that may be under attack by the Trump administration, then, generally speaking, that’s an area where I think people need to take an action. When we have seen states across the country taking action, joining together, pushing back on some of these efforts from the Trump administration, and unfortunately, Virginia has yet to join those efforts.

      So that is absolutely something that people should expect. But alternatively, in the new year, where there are areas where I can be an advocate for Virginia and work with this administration, I’ll endeavor to find those places, but certainly at a moment right now, the priority that I maintain is for the president to pull people into a room and to demonstrate the leadership necessary to end this government shutdown.

      And that is my top priority, my top request of the president, and frankly, my top request of all members of congressional leadership.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      So the day after the election, we heard from Gov. Youngkin, and he said that he remains concerned about Jay Jones, your attorney general-elect, saying that he believes Jones can’t do the job properly with all of the scrutiny surrounding the text message scandal.

      Do you have any concerns about Jones being able to do that job with all of that hanging over him, and to do his job without it becoming a big distraction?

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      So I think there’s two things here. Certainly Virginians have made their voices heard in electing Jay, and I trust the people of Virginia. I think ultimately, Virginians deserve and need leaders who are not afraid to stand up for Virginia, particularly when the Trump administration continues to attack our citizens, their livelihoods, our economy, threatens the health care of hundreds of thousands of Virginians.

      But I also think, and not to speak for him, but I do believe that Attorney General-elect Jones is aware that he has to demonstrate that he is going to do an excellent job that he certainly, along the campaign trail, made clear that he regretted the comments that he made. He apologized for them. And I think that now he has both the obligation and the mandate to demonstrate that his commitment is to the law. His commitment is to the people of Virginia, upholding and protecting our communities. And that’s what I expect him to do and endeavor to do every single day.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      As far as the redistricting efforts are concerned, that lawmakers just launched a week ago. As governor, when you take office, are you going to encourage those efforts, or will you be critical of them?

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      I think it’s important to note that the governor doesn’t necessarily play a role in this. So this is a General Assembly action that the General Assembly has taken. Ultimately, it would require a constitutional amendment in order to be able to do any type of redistricting, which is General Assembly votes, which they’ve already done once, they will vote again.

    • Nick Iannelli:

      But you would certainly have a lot of influence, though, as governor.

    • Abigail Spanberger:

      That’s when it would go to the people. Really what I am focused on in looking at and in conversations with the General Assembly, is the timeline, in terms of the pace at which this could or couldn’t get done, that pace at which it could or couldn’t get in front of the people for the people of Virginia to vote on.

      And I want to make sure that we have ample time to ensure that candidates who are running for those congressional seats have the ability to file their candidacies and run. And so, for me, looking toward what it is that the General Assembly is pursuing, the timing and the calendar of it matters now.

      As an issue of competitiveness, I would note that in my governor’s race, I won two of the congressional districts that are going to be highly contested in 2026. Certainly, there are many reasons why we here in Virginia might pursue redistricting, but notably, there are two seats, from a Democratic perspective, that are imminently winnable, because I just won them, and so I look forward to continuing the conversations.

      I think it was prudent for the General Assembly to keep its options open by passing what was a requirement, frankly, of being able to do it before the actual Election Day. I think it was prudent for the General Assembly to take that action, and now it becomes a question of timing, moving forward toward 2026 or 2028.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Thomas Robertson

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  • Virginia election winners break race and gender barriers amid national scrutiny on diversity

    RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — As the polls closed on Tuesday across Virginia, it quickly became clear it was a night of firsts: Voters overwhelmingly elected a slate of candidates who broke race and gender barriers in contests considered among the most consequential nationally.

    Republicans in Virginia also fielded a historically diverse statewide ticket that would have set records.

    The results come as President Donald Trump has made his opposition to diversity initiatives a cornerstone of his platform, dismantling federal civil rights programs that sought to rectify a complicated history of racial discrimination. He has justified those moves by saying that race and gender equity programs overcorrect for past wrongs and foment anti-American sentiment — a position shared among many conservatives across the country.

    Still, Virginia’s election results — in tandem with high-profile Democratic victories across the U.S. — call into question whether Trump’s staunch positions on race, gender and gender identity are resonating with voters.

    Stay up to date with the news and the best of AP by following our WhatsApp channel.


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    Virginia’s first female governor

    Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race Tuesday, giving Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and making history as the first woman ever to lead the Commonwealth. Her victory was decisive, with about 57% of the vote.

    The race was bound to make history regardless of who came out on top: Spanberger was running against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, marking the first time two women were the front-runners in a general election for governor.

    In her acceptance speech, Spanberger recalled how her husband said to their three daughters, “Your mom is going to be the governor of Virginia.”

    “And I can guarantee you those words have never been spoken in Virginia, ever before,” she said, beaming.

    Spanberger said her victory meant Virginians were choosing “pragmatism over partisanship” and “leadership that will focus on problem solving and not stoking division.”

    First Muslim woman elected statewide

    Democrat Ghazala Hashmi defeated Republican John Reid in the race for lieutenant governor, becoming the first Indian American woman to win statewide office in Virginia. She is also the first Muslim woman to be elected statewide in the U.S.

    Firsts are not new to Hashmi. She was the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate five years ago. Hashmi, a former English professor born in India, said at the time that her opposition to Trump’s Muslim ban motivated her to break into politics.

    This time around, her campaign for lieutenant governor focused less on her identity and more on key issues, such as health and education. Still, some said her identity was a prominent factor in the race. Reid recently took to social media to tie Hashmi to Zohran Mamdani, the first Muslim elected mayor of New York City, despite marked differences in their platforms, nationalities and ages — a comparison critics said was Islamophobic.

    Like the governor’s race, the battle for lieutenant governor would have been historic either way: Reid was the first openly gay man nominated to statewide office in Virginia, and he faced hurdles on the trail in connection to his sexuality. GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin asked him to leave the ticket after opposition research linked him to a social media account with sexually explicit photos of men. At the time, Reid said he felt betrayed.

    In her victory speech, Hashmi said her candidacy reflected progress in the state and nation.

    “My own journey — from a young child landing at the airport in Savannah, Georgia, to now being elected as the first Muslim woman to achieve statewide office in Virginia and in the entire country — is only possible because of the depth and breadth of opportunities made available in this country and in this commonwealth.”

    Son of civil rights pioneers to be attorney general

    Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, becoming the first Black person elected as top prosecutor in the former capital of the Confederacy.

    Jones, a former Virginia delegate, comes from a long line of racial-justice trailblazers — a fact he emphasized throughout his campaign and after his victory.

    “My ancestors were slaves. My grandfather was a civil rights pioneer who braved Jim Crow,” Jones said Tuesday. “My mother, my uncles, my aunts endured segregation, all so that I could stand before you today.”

    That said, Jones’ victory is as much a referendum on dissatisfaction with the government shutdown and Trump’s mass firings, which have hit Virginia especially hard due to its high concentration of federal workers.

    Ever since Democrat Jimmy Carter won the White House in 1976, every time a new president has been elected, Virginia has voted in a governor the following year from the opposite party.

    Jones’ win comes after Miyares, elected in 2021, became the first Latino to hold a Virginia statewide office.

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