Abigail Spanberger makes history as Virginia’s first woman Governor — All you need to know about her family and husband
Democrat Abigail Spanberger has defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in the Virginia gubernatorial race, a contest widely seen as a test for US President Donald Trump's leadership and the Republican Party’s national standing.
US Election Results 2025: In a significant victory for the Democratic Party, Abigail Spanberger has clinched their first win in the latest US elections on Tuesday, 4 November. Abigail Spanberger has won the Virginia governor's race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, according to news reports. Virginia's election official website showed 56% voting for Spanberger. Abigail Spanberger, 46, a former CIA officer and Congresswoman, will succeed Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, who was constitutionally barred from seeking a second consecutive term.
Abigail Spanberger has served three terms in the US Congress as a Representative from Virginia.
The Virginia contest was closely watched as a bellwether for national politics, particularly by the Democratic Party’s moderate wing, which is grappling with its identity ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Abigail Spanberger focused her campaign on the state’s economy and the month-long federal government shutdown that left thousands of Virginia’s federal workers without pay. Her campaign emphasised immigration and parental rights, an issue that helped term-limited Governor Glenn Youngkin win four years ago, reported Bloomberg.
She called for pragmatism, pledged to defend her state's sizeable population of federal workers from targeting by the Trump administration, and listed housing and healthcare affordability as her day-one priorities, reported Reuters.
Abigail Spanberger's victory speech in Virginia
In her victory speech in Richmond, Virginia, Abigail Spanberger reflected on the historic nature of her win and its significance for women across generations, reported ABC News.
“And just a few minutes ago, Adam said to our daughters, your mom's going to be the governor of Virginia. And I can guarantee those words have never been spoken in Virginia ever before," she said.
She highlighted the impact of her election on young girls and women she met during the campaign. She said, “It's a big deal that the girls and the young women I have met along the campaign trail now know with certainty that they can achieve anything. It's a big deal to the women older than I am who forged the path in dreams, hard work, and in a belief that change and progress would be possible so that so many of us could follow in their footsteps in any career, in any role, in any challenge.”
She paid tribute to Mary Sue Terry, the first woman elected statewide in Virginia. She said, "The history Virginia is making tonight, it is yours. And I thank those who have come before me, and Mary Sue Terry in particular. She was the first woman elected statewide in Virginia. And because of her and the continued work of so many, there will be many more women to come for generations to come.”
Watch her speech:
Who is Abigail Spanberger?
Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and member of Congress, has become the first woman elected to the office of Governor of Virginia. Beyond her public service, many are curious about the woman behind the headlines — her family, her husband, and the life she leads outside the spotlight.
Who is Abigail Spanberger's husband?
Abigail Spanberger is married to Adam Spanberger, an engineer with two decades of experience in the US tech industry. Since July 2019, he has served as a lead software engineer at L3Harris Technologies, according to The Sun. Adam Spanberger grew up in Henrico County, Virginia and is an alumnus of Mills Godwin High School and the University of Virginia.
Abigail Spanberger is a mother to three daughters
The couple has three school-aged daughters, all of whom attend school in Henrico County. According to Abigail Spanberger’s official website, "Abigail and her husband Adam are the proud parents of three school-aged daughters in Virginia public schools. Her family enjoys spending time with nearby relatives, exploring Virginia’s outdoors, staying active, and playing board games together as a family."
Abigail Spanberger's early life and entry into politics
Abigail Spanberger, born on 7 August 1979 in Red Bank, New Jersey, earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a master's from Purdue University. She speaks English, Spanish, German and French, according to her website.
She joined the CIA as an operations officer in 2006, serving until 2014.
Her entry into public life began in 2017, when then-Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed her to the Virginia Fair Housing Board. Later that year, she announced her candidacy for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. She won the seat and was sworn into the US House of Representatives on 3 January 2019.
On 13 November 2023, she declared her candidacy for Virginia Governor in 2025.
- Abigail Spanberger's victory marks a significant milestone for women in political leadership.
- The election results may influence the Democratic Party's strategy for the upcoming midterms.
- Spanberger's background as a CIA officer adds a unique perspective to her governance.