The Fox News Decision Desk has forecasted that Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, will likely be the next governor of Virginia.
Republicans aimed to replicate the tumult of the 2021 election, led by outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin. However, they seem to be facing at least two more years of being out of power in Richmond, with both legislative chambers remaining under Democratic control.
Following the loss of the scandal-tainted candidate Jay Jones in the attorney general race, Spanberger was under pressure but hesitantly declined to distance herself from former House Speaker Todd Gilbert after a troubling incident involving him.
Outgoing Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears has pressed Spanberger for clarity regarding Jones’ scandal and her stance on transgender students’ rights in sports and restrooms.
Spanberger didn’t directly respond to Sears and appeared to avoid eye contact during their interaction.
In his campaign advertisements, Spanberger highlighted his prior experience as a federal officer working on child exploitation cases and counterterrorism at the CIA. Prior to that role, he was a U.S. Postal Inspector involved in narcotics and money laundering investigations.
Spanberger has made healthcare and abortion key issues in her campaign, branding Earl Sears as extreme on the latter, reminiscent of Republican calls for limited exceptions in abortion laws.
She characterizes herself as a moderate, yet Republicans have questioned this, pointing to her nearly flawless voting record in the House as evidence contrary to her claims.
As her campaign wrapped up, Spanberger enlisted major Democratic figures for support, including former President Barack Obama and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who’s considered a potential candidate for 2028.
Strikingly, President Biden has been absent from the conversation, and attempts to gather insights from the Delaware Democratic Party yielded no responses.
Spanberger also brought attention to the government shutdown’s impact on Virginia families, although Republicans require some Democratic votes to reopen the government.
Spanberger stated, “We need a governor who will clearly address the attacks on federal employees. This is also an attack on government contractors,” during a recent event in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
It appears Spanberger and her party are poised to retain full control over Virginia for at least the next two years, as the state Senate and House will not be contested this year.
