Democrat Abigail Spanberger is projected by NBC News to have defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, flipping control of the Virginia governorship in a race that sets her up to become the state's first female governor. The former congresswoman won in the blue-leaning state after holding polling and fundraising advantages, according to NBC News. Her victory provides Democrats with momentum following the 2024 election defeat. With 95% of the vote estimated, Spanberger had 57.4% to Earle-Sears' 42.4%. Virginia and New Jersey held the first governor's races of President Donald Trump's second term.
Spanberger, 47, based her campaign heavily on economic and affordability issues, public safety, and her support for abortion rights, NBC News reported. Her campaign also attacked Earle-Sears over her conservative social issue record and her loyalty to Trump.
In her victory speech in Richmond, Spanberger stated, "Tonight, we sent message," according to NBC News. "We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025 Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship. We chose our Commonwealth over chaos." She promised to "focus relentlessly" on "lowering costs, keeping our communities safe and strengthening our economy for every Virginian."
Earle-Sears, 61, Virginia's lieutenant governor, struggled to find a coherent message. She tried to emphasize the accomplishments of GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin's administration and championed "parents' rights" in schools. She also frequently praised Trump though the president never offered a formal endorsement and failed to mention her by name in a Monday night tele-rally.
During her concession speech, Earle-Sears acknowledged that many had "counted me out" but "we kept plugging and plugging." She also noted, according to NBC News, that Spanberger "ran as a moderate." Earle-Sears added, "If she governs as one, then she will unite us, and she'll heal our divides and win our support."
A former CIA officer, Spanberger flipped a Republican-held House seat in 2018 and cultivated an image as a more moderate Democrat during her gubernatorial campaign. NBC News reported she attracted numerous high-profile Democrats and potential 2028 presidential candidates to campaign with her, reinforcing her anti-Trump message in the race's final days.
