Abigail Spanberger to become Virginia’s first female governor, defeating Winsome Earle-Sears

Abigail Spanberger has beat Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the race for the governorship with 54.7% of the vote compared to Earle-Sears’ 45.1%, as of 8 p.m. 

The win flips control of the governorship back to the Democrats, who lost the office to Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2021. 

Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative and CIA officer, focused on affordable housing, education, and public safety whereas Earle-Sears, the current Lieutenant Governor, focused on individual liberties, tax relief, and government deregulation.

“Virginia’s next four years can mean lower taxes, safer neighborhoods, and real opportunities to build generational wealth. That’s what I’m fighting for,” Sears said in a Facebook post.

Throughout the campaign, Spanberger has emphasized “pragmatic” policymaking, a stance she echoed when visiting the University of Richmond last year.

Spanberger has held a consistent lead in the polls during the majority of the race. A late-October Wason Center survey found her ahead 52% to 42% among likely voters, with six percent undecided.

Spanberger immediately took a strong lead as votes started to be counted, one the Earle-Sears will not be able to overcome. 

“Virginia — you deserve a Governor who will be laser-focused on lowering costs and making life easier. You deserve a Governor who will put you first,” Spanberger said in a Facebook post.

The money race had a clear favorite in Spanberger.

She outraised Earle-Sears nearly two to one, $65 million to Earle-Sears’s $35 million. The race garnered considerable national attention, with both candidates raising a combined total of over $100 million.

With her win, Spanberger will be able to shape Virginia’s political landscape with a Democrat-controlled Senate. Control of the House of Delegates has yet to be called, but should Democrats hold the chamber, they will claim a governing trifecta in Virginia.

Contact city & state editor Christina Taylor at christina.taylor@richmond.edu