Spanberger elected as Virginia’s 75th Governor

In a historic first, Democrat Abigail Spanberger has been elected as Governor of Virginia.

“I thank you for the trust that you have placed in me and it is the honor of my lifetime to be elected the 75th governor of the Commonwealth,” Spanberger said in her acceptance speech shortly after the results were in.

Spanberger is the first woman to be elected to the position in Virginia.

With all 133 localities reporting, the unofficial count from the Virginia Department of Elections has Spanberger with 57.24 percent of the vote with 42.56 percent for Republican Winsome Earle-Sears.

“We sent a message to the whole world that in 2025, Virginia chose pragmatism over partisanship,” Spanberger said. “We chose our Commonwealth over chaos.”

Winsome Earle-Sears was elected as Lieutenant Governor in 2021 and Spanberger thanked her for her service. She said she knew many in Virginia would be disappointed in the results, but she pledged to work for all Virginians.

“I have worked with anyone and everyone, regardless of political party, to deliver results for the people that I serve,” Spanberger said. “And that’s because I believe in this idea that there is so much more that unites us as Virginians and as Americans, then divides us. And I know, I know in my heart that we can unite for Virginia’s future and we can set an example for the rest of the nation.”

You can read all of Spanberger’s acceptance speech on the Virginia Political Newsletter. Or view it on ABC News.

In her concession, Earle-Sears thanked her supporters for the opportunity to run for the office.

“I want to say to our young people here, remember that life has ups and downs,” Earle-Sears said. “You must never stay down. There is nothing down there. You must always rise. It’s one life that you have and it must be filled to the fullest.”

You watch the whole concession on WTKR News 3.

Democrats won the two other statewide races as well.

Virginia Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected as the next Lieutenant Governor with 55.32 percent of the vote to 44.42 percent for Republican John Reid.

“This is clearly not the outcome I had hoped for, but it’s one I accept with gratitude and humility and a deep sense of pride,” Reid said in a concession speech broadcast on Facebook Live.

Hashmi is the first Muslim-American woman to be elected to statewide office

Jay Jones defeated incumbent Republican Jason Miyares with 52.82 percent of the vote. In his acceptance speech, Jones thanked his opponent.

“In the weeks ahead I look forward to sitting down with him to talk about where we can work together to do what’s best for this Commonwealth,” Jones said.

You can watch the full concession speech on NBC4 Washington.

VPM wrote about his concession speech.

“As the hallmark of our democracy, I wish Jay Jones the best in this job,” Miyares said. “I know given the circumstances of the last six weeks, many of my supporters will find that difficult, but the reason I wish Jay the best is because we, the people of Virginia, need it.”

You can watch Miyares’ full concession speech at WTVR CBS 6 but I can’t embed in the email.

Now, a look at how each locality in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District voted.

• A majority of voters in Albemarle County went for Spanberger with 70.03 percent of the vote, Hashmi with 68.04 percent of the vote, and Jones with 65.02 percent of the vote.
• A majority of voters in Charlottesville chose Spanberger with 88.66 percent of the vote, Hashmi with 87.06 percent of the vote, and Jones with 84.93 percent of the vote.
• A majority of voters in Greene chose Earle-Sears with 57.67 percent of the vote, Reid with 59.19 percent of the vote, and Miyares with 61.5 percent.
• A majority of voters in Louisa went for Earle-Sears with 59.71 percent of the vote, Reid with 61.57 percent of the vote, and Miyares with 63.74 percent of the vote.
• The results were most even in Fluvanna County with Earle-Sears getting a slight majority. Earle-Sears received 50.09 percent of the vote to 49.77 percent for Spanberger. Reid got 51.64 percent of the vote and Miyares got 53.9 percent of the vote.
• A majority of voters in Nelson County cast ballots for Spanberger who received 50.27 percent of the vote. However, Reid won the county with 51.28 percent of the vote and Miyares won 53.06 percent of the vote.

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