Democrat Abigail Spanberger‘s recent victory, securing 55% of the vote against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears (45%), flips the Virginia governorship back to Democratic control. Spanberger, a 46-year-old former Congresswoman and CIA officer from Richmond, ran on a platform emphasizing her centrist record and her strong commitment to key social issues.
Here is a look at where Governor-Elect Spanberger stands on three major issues:
Her Views on Gun Control
Spanberger has taken an unequivocal stance in favor of gun control legislation, leveraging her background as a former federal law enforcement officer to support her position.
- Vowing to Sign Legislation: Following a shooting in April 2025, Spanberger made a clear commitment, stating she would sign into law common-sense gun control bills previously vetoed by outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin.
- On the Record: She affirmed her position, saying, “I will sign legislation into law to make progress on these issues to keep Virginia families safe. I will not veto common-sense proposals like our current governor has done. I am totally on the record.”
- Advocacy: During her time in Congress, Spanberger championed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and supported measures like closing the “Charleston Loophole” and implementing extreme risk protective orders. She has also been a former volunteer for Moms Demand Action, signaling her deep commitment to gun safety.
Her Views on Reproductive Freedom (Abortion)
Spanberger has made the defense of reproductive rights a cornerstone of her campaign, particularly as Virginia remains a critical state for abortion access in the South following the Dobbs decision.
- Defending Existing Law: She has vowed to continue the reproductive freedom that currently exists in Virginia, the only Southern state that has maintained broad access to abortion since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
- Constitutional Protection: Spanberger has stated her support for a constitutional amendment that would effectively restore “the Roe standard” in Virginia, should such a measure reach the ballot.
- Campaign Promise: Her campaign website explicitly states: “Abigail will defend the right to contraception, the right to choose, and the right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF).” She has also affirmed her support for existing Virginia laws that include parental consent for minors seeking abortions and certain limitations on third-trimester procedures.
Her Views on Israel
As a former member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Spanberger has a history of engagement on foreign policy, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Support for Aid: During her time in the House of Representatives, Spanberger worked with lawmakers to put together a bipartisan resolution that would provide financial aid to Israel.
- Security Assistance: Her voting record indicates a cautious approach to immediate, unconditional transfers of military aid. For instance, she opposed the Israel Security Assistance Support Act in the 118th Congress, which would have enabled the immediate delivery of security assistance to Israel without fully accounting for existing laws governing arms transfers. This suggests a tendency towards ensuring proper legislative and diplomatic oversight on security aid.
- Alignment: Her overall profile aligns with the centrist/Blue Dog Democrat approach, which traditionally supports a strong U.S.-Israel relationship while also prioritizing diplomatic engagement in the region.