Democrat Abigail Spanberger secured a victory in the Virginia governor’s race on Tuesday, defeating Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. The win hands the Democratic Party a significant victory ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and marks a historic milestone as Spanberger becomes the first woman ever elected to lead the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Spanberger’s win will flip partisan control of the governor’s office, as the former congresswoman and CIA case officer prepares to succeed outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Her campaign focused heavily on economic issues, a strategy that may offer a potential template for other Democrats in the upcoming year’s elections as they look to challenge Republican dominance.

Spanberger campaigned broadly across the state, including in areas

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