Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is set to become Virginia's 75th governor and the first woman in the role during her inauguration on January 16, 2026. She plans to break traditions by forgoing the traditional morning suit and emphasizing the state's modern vibrancy and diversity. Her victory highlights Democratic strategies on affordability amid economic challenges.
Virginia has a long history of inaugurating governors with elaborate ceremonies outside the state Capitol, featuring men in three-piece morning suits, a 19-gun salute, and sometimes a jet flyby. But on January 16, 2026, Abigail Spanberger will mark a historic shift as the commonwealth's first female governor, the 75th in its history.
Spanberger, a Democrat, defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by a decisive 15-point margin in November 2025. Her campaign centered on the cost of living and the effects of federal cuts under the Trump administration, which Democrats view as a test for their affordability message in upcoming midterms. As a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, Spanberger raised more funds than her opponent throughout the race.
During the inauguration, Spanberger will honor traditions while forging new ones. "I'm not going to wear a morning coat, not to disappoint anyone," she said with a laugh, noting there are no guidelines for women's attire. The event will include a parade, small-business marketplace, and ball to reflect Virginia's diversity. Joining her in breaking barriers are Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office as lieutenant governor, and Jay Jones, the first Black attorney general.
Spanberger paid tribute to trailblazers like Barbara Johns, whose 1951 school walkout contributed to Brown v. Board of Education, and Mary Sue Terry, Virginia's first woman elected to statewide office as attorney general in 1986. Terry, who lost her 1993 gubernatorial bid amid baseless smears about her personal life, recalled legislative debates over her inauguration attire. "The speaker... said, 'Hell, let her wear what she wants to wear.' And that's what I did," Terry told NPR. She praised Spanberger as "not just a woman, but the right woman for the job."
Spanberger's mother drew inspiration from Terry's campaign, making it a "teachable moment" for her daughters. Now facing a lagging economy and federal reductions in health care and social safety nets, Spanberger aims to address impacts on women and families. She highlighted risks to hospital labor and delivery units and plans to shorten childcare waitlists to help caregivers return to work. "It's becoming incumbent on states to endeavor to bridge the gap where possible," she said.
An anecdote from a recent event underscores her milestone: a father told his daughter he was meeting the next governor, prompting her excited response, "A GIRL governor?!"
