Less than two weeks before her inauguration, Democrat Abigail Spanberger said she is still digesting what it means to become the first female governor in Virginia’s nearly 250-year history.
Spanberger told The Associated Press on Tuesday that “The campaign was about the things I want to do for Virginians.” She said it is also about “the challenges that Virginians are facing,” and that as she prepares for the inauguration and to be sworn in, she is noticing a “greater realization” as she hears other people talk about what the role means.
She said one woman approached her to share her daughter’s reaction that the state had not previously had a woman governor. Spanberger also recalled talking with an excited teenage girl who said she is interested in someday running for president.
“For the next generation of kids, it’ll be normal to see a woman in this role, whether it’s doing the joyful things of ribbon cuttings or the hard things of contending with whatever challenges we might be facing into the future,” Spanberger said.
Spanberger is scheduled to be sworn in as governor on Jan. 17 outside the Virginia Capitol. The former congresswoman defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by 15 points in November.
Spanberger said she was struck when she saw her photo in a Richmond Times-Dispatch article next to pictures of men who had been sworn in before her. She recalled the article’s framing, saying, “It said, ‘Spanberger joins the boys club,’” and adding, “That was actually a really interesting visual for me.”
Spanberger said her experience in Congress during President Donald Trump’s first term taught her that there are a variety of issues to work on and potential places to find common ground. She said that when she and Trump are aligned in support of Virginia, Virginians, the state’s economy and shared priorities, there will be “places to work with him.”
She said that alignment will not extend to decisions that she believes would hurt Virginians. “But when he’s making choices that might impact or hurt Virginians, Virginia jobs, Virginia’s economy, then I will be a relentless advocate for, and defender of, Virginia,” Spanberger said.
Spanberger said her agenda for the start of her term would center on economic relief. She said she would seek more tenant protections against evictions and pursue policies aimed at lowering prescription drug costs.
Conservative critics, the Associated Press reported, say her plans will drive up costs for residents as Virginia faces economic uncertainty, a decrease in federal dollars and what they describe as a cost-of-living crisis.