Overview
- Abigail Spanberger took the oath at the State Capitol to become Virginia’s 75th governor, the first woman to hold the office in the commonwealth’s history.
- Ghazala F. Hashmi was sworn in as lieutenant governor, becoming the first Muslim woman to hold statewide office in the U.S., and Jay Jones became Virginia’s first Black elected attorney general.
- Within hours, Spanberger signed orders targeting housing costs, healthcare expenses, a unified state response to federal actions, and a review of university Board of Visitors appointment practices.
- She rescinded a Youngkin directive requiring state law enforcement to enter agreements with ICE and also issued a state employee nondiscrimination order that includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
- In her inaugural address, Spanberger emphasized affordability, education and immigrant protections, criticized policies from Washington, and enters office with Democratic control of the General Assembly as lawmakers prepare redistricting and other priorities.