Democrats scored a sweeping victory in Virginia in a closely followed election on Tuesday.
As polls closed, former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger was projected to become Virginia’s next governor after defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by a wide margin.
Spanberger, a former CIA officer, is making history as the first woman ever elected governor of the Commonwealth.
Highlights
- Democrat Abigail Spanberger won Virginia’s governor race, becoming the state’s first female governor.
- Democrats achieved a complete sweep in Virginia, winning governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general seats.
- Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi made history as the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in Virginia.
“Tonight we sent a message,” Spanberger told cheering supporters at her election night watch party in Richmond.
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“We sent a message to every corner of the commonwealth, a message to our neighbors and our fellow Americans across the country. We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship.”
Her victory speech came as Democrats celebrated a clean sweep in the state.
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Image credits: MSNBC
Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won the race for lieutenant governor, becoming the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office.
Democrat Jay Jones defeated Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares for the attorney general’s seat.
Image credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr
The results represent a sharp rebuke to Trump and his allies, who had urged Virginians to back the Republicans.
Trump held a tele-rally on the eve of election day alongside outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, but received no participation from any of the top Republican nominees for statewide office.
According to AP, Spanberger won with about 57.5% of the vote.
Image credits: FOX News
NBC News’ exit polls revealed that among those who favored neither party, 72% supported Spanberger over Earle-Sears.
Spanberger’s campaign focused on affordability and health care.
Spanberger said the state would focus on solving problems, “not stoking division.”
“It is the honor of my lifetime to be elected the 75th governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” she said.
Image credits: NBC News
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