Virginia Governor’s Approval Ratings Plummet
Governor Abigail Spanberger, who campaigned as a moderate Democrat, seems to have shifted toward more progressive policies since taking office. This has resulted in her currently holding the lowest favorability rating of any Virginia governor in history.
The initial phase of her governorship appears to be over rather quickly.
Spanberger has experienced a notable decline in approval ratings, an anomaly compared to her eight predecessors who didn’t encounter such a drastic fall in their first 80 days of service.
A recent poll conducted by the Schart School surveyed 1,100 registered Virginia voters regarding Spanberger’s performance in office. Findings revealed that just 47% of respondents were favorable toward her governance, while 46% expressed disapproval. This yielded a narrow net approval of only +1.
In comparison, her predecessor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, achieved a +15 approval rating within the same timeframe, with 54% approval contrasted against 39% disapproval. Historically, governors in Virginia during the 21st century—aside from Democrat Ralph Northam—maintained approval ratings exceeding 50% at this point in their terms. Northam’s rating was 48%, yet he ended with a favorable +9 due to a lower disapproval of 37%.
Over the past 25 years, Virginia has seen many governors, as rules permit only one consecutive term.
Interestingly, Spanberger had previously won her last election against Republican Winsome Earl Sears decisively, with 57.5% to 42.3%. That’s quite a margin, yet now her approval seems to have plummeted significantly.
After promising to be a moderate leader, Spanberger has since taken actions that arguably lean far left. Her governance includes refusing to collaborate with ICE, signing an executive order to eliminate minimum sentencing requirements for severe crimes, supporting tax increases alongside her Democratic peers, and endorsing DEI initiatives in various government sectors.
Additionally, Spanberger has also faced criticism for proposing a redistricting plan that many see as a blatant attempt to deepen Democratic control in the state, transforming the mix of districts from six Democratic and five Republican to 10 Democratic and one Republican.
Many might find it difficult to empathize with Virginia in this context. Despite presenting as a pragmatic candidate during her campaign, it became apparent that Spanberger harbored more radical views. This tactic isn’t new; it mirrors a trend where candidates run as moderates but govern with a more extreme agenda.
Consequently, some Virginians are now lamenting that they could have enjoyed another four years under Glenn Youngkin instead of Spanberger. While Earl Sears may not have campaigned vigorously, the distinctions between the candidates have become glaringly clear. Many now recognize Virginia’s misstep.
It’s noteworthy that Virginia voters, at one point, also allowed Democrats to dominate congressional power, which was previously a critical counterbalance to Democratic governance.
Some might say it’s a frustrating turn of events, leading the state that once celebrated leaders like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson into what feels like a four-year stretch of left-wing governance.
