Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, has achieved a remarkable victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, delivering a significant setback to Donald Trump’s aspirations for a second term.
The former congresswoman and ex-CIA officer emerged victorious over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the state’s sitting lieutenant governor, as confirmed by the Associated Press.
With this win, Spanberger is poised to become Virginia’s first female governor, following Glenn Youngkin’s tenure. Youngkin had capitalized on public dissatisfaction with the Biden administration to secure office in 2021.
Her triumph marks an essential gain for the Democrats in a state that has seen increasing competition in recent years. Virginia’s gubernatorial elections, which occur in off-years, are often viewed as indicators of the national political climate.
Spanberger’s clear victory over Earle-Sears suggests that Democrats might be in a stronger position as they approach the midterm elections next year. These elections will play a crucial role in shaping the concluding years of Trump’s presidency.
Interestingly, neither President Trump nor Vice President JD Vance made appearances in Virginia to support Earle-Sears, highlighting a lack of enthusiasm from the White House for her candidacy.
Meanwhile, top Democrats stepped in to boost Spanberger. Former President Barack Obama rallied with her in Norfolk, Virginia, this past Saturday, while former President Bill Clinton and First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton headlined a fundraiser for Spanberger last month.
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger arrives at a rally at Virginia Commonwealth University on November 3, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, joined by her husband Adam, places an order as she visits the world’s biggest Arby’s restaurant on October 31, 2025 in Colonial Heights, Virginia
Signs line the walkways for candidates in the 2025 Virginia election at the Fairfax County Government Center polling place in Fairfax, Virginia, USA, 04 November 2025. The Virginia gubernatorial race has gained national attention as a testing ground for both parties ahead of next year’s national midterm election
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger and her husband Adam Spanberger share a milkshake as they visit the world’s biggest Arby’s restaurant on October 31, 2025 in Colonial Heights, Virginia
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.
High fundraising and unbalanced spending undoubtedly played a role in the results of the Virginia governor’s race.
Earle-Sears was handily out-raised, with Spanberger pulling in over $65 million to her opponents’ $35 million, per the Virginia Public Access Project.
Most of those dollars were spent on advertising, with Sears being outspent by $25.6 million, $51.9 million to $26.3 million.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears speaks during a rally at the Buckland Farm Market on October 29, 2025 in New Baltimore, Virginia
Democratic strategist Mally Smith, former senior political and coalitions Advisor for the Kamala Harris campaign in North Carolina, told the Daily Mail Tuesday afternoon that he has been ‘hearing rural Republican turnout is incredibly low in Virginia.’
‘If this continues to hold true, Democrats are going to have a great night up and down the ballot,’ Smith added at the time.
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.’
Back in August, numerous longtime Republican players in Virginia privately told the Daily Mail that they had serious doubts about Earle-Sears’s ability to emerge victorious in November.
One GOP operative told the Daily Mail under the condition of anonymity that ‘this is 100 percent Glenn Youngkin’s fault for clearing the field by endorsing her right after the 2024 election.’
The operative also noted that there were real conversations about potential primary challengers to Sears, which the governor worked to keep at bay.
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.
