Virginia’s new Democratic Governor, Abigail Spanberger, is facing significant backlash for implementing progressive policies immediately upon taking office, despite having campaigned as a moderate. Her swift actions have sparked criticism, especially from conservative quarters.
Spanberger, with a background as a former Congresswoman and CIA officer, decisively defeated incumbent Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, marking a notable victory for the Democrats. However, her initial steps in office have ruffled feathers among conservatives who view her policies as too extreme.
Among the measures causing controversy are her executive orders from the first week, which include reducing the state’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This move aligns with Spanberger’s campaign promises but has unsettled many on the right.
Furthermore, Spanberger signed an executive order aimed at prohibiting employment discrimination to promote an environment of inclusion, diversity, and mutual respect across Virginia. While some see this as a positive step, others view it as part of a broader shift towards leftist policies.
Adding to the criticism, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who is involved in investigating anti-ICE protests in Minnesota, likened Spanberger to a villain from a James Bond film, illustrating the extent of conservative disapproval.
Similarly, the Lepanto Institute, a conservative Catholic group, drew a parallel between Spanberger and the White Witch from the Narnia series, suggesting that her leadership marks a challenging period for the state, metaphorically described as “a long winter without Christmas.”
The Spectator at Large Editor Ben Domenech added: ‘It’s like the CIA built the perfect Karen in a lab.’
Meanwhile, conservative journalist Greg Price noted what the state legislature is planning to put at Spanberger’s desk, which reads like a liberal wish list.
Democrat Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is receiving harsh criticism for enacting far-left policies on her first day in office despite campaigning as a moderate
Many conservatives have been horrified by some of Spanberger’s first week executive orders which include reducing cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
They include sales taxes on the likes of Amazon and Uber Eats, several new tax brackets, banning gas-powered leaf blowers, expanding ranked-choice voting and getting rid of Columbus Day.
Democrats in the statehouse have vowed to work with Spanberger to push through their bullish agenda, which includes redrawing the state´s congressional district map ahead of the midterm elections this year.
The state Democrats picked up 13 seats in the House of Delegates a year after the party´s stunning losses nationwide in the 2024 presidential election.
Spanberger defended her executive orders in a statement on social media, writing that they ‘respond to the moment.’
‘We’re setting the tone for what Virginians can expect over the next four years: pragmatic leadership focused on lowering costs, growing our economy, and making sure that every parent knows that their child is set up for success,’ she said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Governor Spanberger for further comment.
Spanberger is the first female governor in Virginia history, succeeding Glenn Youngkin, who rode frustration with the Biden administration to power back in 2021.
Her victory – along with that of Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey – was seen as a boost for Democrats in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent years.
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Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who is currently investigating anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota, wrote of Spanberger: ‘She’s like a Bond villain’
Virginia’s off-year gubernatorial elections are often seen as bellwethers for national political sentiment, and Spanberger’s comfortable margin over Earle-Sears suggested Democrats may be better positioned heading into next year’s midterm elections, which will help determine the trajectory of the final years of Trump’s presidency.
The stench of Earle-Sears’ candidacy was felt inside the White House. Notably, neither the president or Vice President JD Vance ever set foot in the state to campaign or even to hold a fundraiser for Sears.
Meanwhile, top Democrats stepped in to boost Spanberger. Former President Barack Obama rallied with her in Norfolk, Virginia, while former President Bill Clinton and First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headlined a fundraiser for Spanberger.
That event, hosted by former Virginia Democrat Governor Terry McAuliffe at his home, pulled in a record-breaking $2.2 million. The gathering drew more than 350 donors and became the ‘largest gubernatorial fundraiser in Virginia history,’ according to Politico.
Earle-Sears broke with Trump after the 2020 election, and he seems to have never forgiven her.
In 2022, Sears said that voters want a different leader from Trump, and even called the then-former president a ‘liability to the mission.’
Stephanie Lundquist-Arora a mother in Fairfax County, Virginia, author, and the Fairfax chapter leader of the Independent Women’s Network told the Daily Mail that ‘it’s a shame that Virginia’s first female governor is one who’s so disingenuous. She has duped Virginians.’
‘She ran on affordability, but supports costly environmental regulations, as well as the Democrat-approved expensive cars and meals taxes. She’s a leftist in moderate’s clothing who is more suitable for Californians than Virginians,’ Lundquist-Arora added.
Democrats in the statehouse have vowed to work with Spanberger to push through their bullish agenda, which includes redrawing the state´s congressional district map ahead of the midterm elections this year
X user @_johnnymaga blasted Sears following her loss, noting that ‘Republicans need to stop nominating these non-MAGA candidates. This brand of conservatism is finished.’
The last time a Republican candidate won the Virginia governor’s race while there was a Republican in the White House was 1973, when Mills E. Godwin Jr. captured the governorship during Richard Nixon’s presidency.
Spanberger ran on a vow to protect Virginia´s economy from the aggressive tactics of Trump´s administration.
On the trail, she spoke of the White House´s gutting the civil service, the rising costs of goods and changes impacting the state´s already fragile health care system.
In a thinly veiled dig at the president, Spanberger said it was time for Virginians to fix what was broken.
‘I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington,’ she said. ‘You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting health care access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs.’
