Abigail Spanberger Makes History as Virginia’s First Female Governor with Her Daughters by Her Side

Abigail Spanberger made history on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when she became Virginia’s first female governor — celebrating the milestone with her three daughters by her side.

A Democrat and former CIA officer, Spanberger previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 2019 to January 2025. Her victory flipped the governorship blue, succeeding term-limited Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. She defeated Youngkin’s lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, in the race.

Before Spanberger, 46, took the stage in Richmond, Va., to address supporters, her husband, Adam Spanberger, introduced her with visible pride. The couple share three daughters — Claire, Charlotte, and Catherine — according to Richmond Magazine.

“Your mom’s gonna be the governor of Virginia,” Adam told their daughters. “I can guarantee those words have never been spoken in Virginia before. It’s a big deal that the girls and women I have met know with certainty that they can achieve anything.”

Spanberger became emotional as she expressed her love for her family while her husband and daughters stood behind her, wiping away tears.

“I am lucky to be your mother,” she said in her victory speech. Then, turning to one of her daughters, she added with a smile, “And Catherine, you did not clean your room today as you promised me.”

“I’m working on it,” Catherine replied, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Earlier in her speech, Spanberger reflected on her mother’s resilience and influence, describing how she had overcome adversity after spending part of her childhood in foster care.

“When I think about your life and the time spent in foster care, to putting yourself through nursing school and the challenges along the way, you made clear to us that to whom much is given, much is expected,” Spanberger said. “And you have given me so much. Born of your own struggles and your own challenges, and I know much is expected.”

Democrats celebrated additional statewide victories in Virginia on election night. Ghazala F. Hashmi will become the first Muslim woman to hold a statewide office in the U.S. when she is sworn in as Virginia’s new lieutenant governor. Jay Jones also won the race for attorney general, defeating incumbent Republican Jason Miyares, according to the Associated Press.