Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) announced on Nov. 13 her bid to become Virginia’s first female governor.
Her announcement came a week after Democrats gained control of both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates this past week by a slim margin.
“While some politicians in Richmond focus on banning abortion and books, what they’re not doing is helping people. I know how to bring people together and get real things done that improve lives,” she said.
“That’s why I’m running for governor. Because when we rise above the chaos and division, we can focus on what matters most to Virginians—lowering prescription drug prices, growing the middle class, lowering costs, and easing inflation.”
The centrist Democrat, whose current term in Congress expires in January 2025, has thrice won in her highly competitive district in northern Virginia. After unseating the Republican incumbent in 2018 and ending a nearly 50-year Republican representation in her district, she fended off Republican challengers, including in a redistricted race in 2022.
Ms. Spanberger will compete with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney for her party’s nomination. Mr. Stoney is expected to launch his gubernatorial campaign by the end of the year.
On the Republican side, potential gubernatorial candidates include current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the first black woman to assume that office, and Jason Miyares, the first Latino attorney general in Virginia.
The congresswoman hasn’t been shy in criticizing Democratic leadership and suggesting improvements in her party’s messaging.
During her election campaign last year, a bill she introduced with Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) to ban House representatives from trading stocks didn’t go anywhere. In this, she openly challenged then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying the Democratic Party needed new leadership.
After winning the 2022 midterms, she was elected to a battleground leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus to help win difficult races in 2024.
“The greatest honor of my life has been to represent Virginians in the U.S. House. Today, I am proud to announce that I will be working hard to gain the support and trust of all Virginians to continue this service as the next governor of Virginia,” Ms. Spanberger said in a statement.
“Virginia is where I grew up, where I am raising my own family, and where I intend to build a stronger future for the next generation of Virginians. As a former CIA case officer, former federal law enforcement officer, and current member of Congress, I have always believed in the value of public service.
“I look forward to serving the Seventh District through the end of this term and then pursuing the important work of bringing Virginia together to keep our Commonwealth strong.”
After Ms. Spanberger’s announcement, the Cook Political Report, an online political analysis site, moved her congressional district from likely Democrat to lean Democrat.
