Abigail Spanberger Sworn In as Virginia’s First Female Governor

Spanberger won 57 percent of the vote in the Nov. 4 election, while Republican Winsome Earle-Sears received 42 percent.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks after being sworn into office at the Virginia State Capitol in in Richmond, Va., on Jan. 17, 2026. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Abigail Spanberger made history on Jan. 17, as she became the first female governor of Virginia.

“The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me,” Spanberger, a Democrat, said outside of the Virginia Capitol in Richmond during her noon inauguration address.