Spanberger makes history, sworn in as Virginia's first female governor

With her hand on her grandmother’s Bible, former House Democrat and CIA officer Abigail Davis Spanberger took the oath of office Jan. 17 and became the first female governor in Virginia history.

“It is the honor of my life to stand before you and take the oath today. The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me,” Spanberger said in a speech on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building, at times indirectly criticizing President Donald Trump and the partisan politics in Washington.

“I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who worked, generation after generation to ensure women could be among those casting ballots,” Spanberger said, “but who could only dream of a day like today.”

The outdoor ceremony, on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond, was rich with pomp and circumstance.

Male lawmakers wore tuxedo-like ‘morning jackets,’ or formal wear with a long tail while female participants dressed in dark colors according to Virginia political tradition.

Hymns were sung, prayers were offered and the Star Spangled Banner was performed by the Hampton University Concert Choir. Members of 11 Indian tribes from Virginia joined in a “blessing dance” to honor the grounds, and Spanberger’s inauguration.

Spanberger was dressed in light colors, including a long white winter overcoat and white gloves. Amid cheers, she waved to a crowd of dignitaries that included outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the state’s two Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

Capping her rapid political rise, Spanberger took her place as the 75^th leader of the Old Dominion at about 12:30 p.m. on a cold and damp day in the state capital. She was accompanied by her parents and sisters, her husband Adam and her three daughters, whom she described as “my everything.”

A day steeped in history in numerous ways

In a state steeped with political history and tradition, Saturday’s inauguration was unprecedented in other ways too.

It wasn't just that Spanberger became the first woman elected to lead the commonwealth since it became a state in 1788.  

Ghazala Hashmi also became the first Indian-born woman to be elected lieutenant governor, reportedly also becoming the first Muslim woman in the U.S. to be elected to statewide office.

And Jay Jones was sworn in as state attorney general, becoming the first Black man to serve in that post.

Spanberger was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, serving three terms before opting to leave Congress. Last November, she defeated her opponent, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who was also in attendance.

Spanberger’s 15-point victory was seen a boost for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 

During her campaign, Spanberger highlighted her background as a CIA case officer − known in public parlance as a spy. While not discussing the classified details of her assignments, her official bio says she "worked undercover to understand the threats facing the United States, prevent terrorist attacks, counter the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and track transnational criminal organizations."

In her address, Spanberger focused on the challenges facing Virginia and the nation, and the importance of maintaining a robust U.S. presence on the global stage in areas like security, health and human rights.

She did not criticize Trump specifically. But Spanberger took aim at the political strife in the nation’s capital, and an administration that she suggested was more concerned with “gilding building” than making government work for the people.

“I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington. You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs,” Spanberger said. “You are worried about Washington policies that are closing off markets, hurting innovation and private industry and attacking those who have devoted their lives to public service.”

“You are worried about an administration that is gilding buildings while schools crumble, breaking the social safety net and sowing fear across our communities, betraying the values of who we are as Americans, the very values that we celebrate here on these steps,” Spanberger said.

An inaugural parade immediately followed the swearing-in ceremony.

Spanberger and her husband, Virginia's new first gentleman, were also set to host an inaugural ball Saturday night at Main Street Station. And the Executive Mansion, where the governor resides, is scheduled to have an open house Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis.