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Spanberger To Be Sworn In as Virginia’s First Woman Governor, Signaling Unified Democratic Control

Unified Democratic control positions Richmond for swift action on energy, education, affordability.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 04: Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger delivers remarks at her election night watch party at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on November 04, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. Spanberger defeated Republican gubernatorial candidate Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first female governor in the commonwealth’s history in an election that was seen as a national political bellwether leading into the midterms. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Gov. Glenn Youngkin looks into the gallery of the House of Delegates before delivering his final State of the Commonwealth speech on Jan. 14, 2026. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
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Overview

  • The swearing‑in is scheduled for noon Saturday on the South Portico of the State Capitol, with Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones also taking their oaths and a parade through Capitol Square to follow.
  • The weekend program, themed “United for Virginia’s Future,” features public and ticketed events including a Made in Virginia Market with a performance by Pusha T, an inaugural ball, and a Sunday Executive Mansion open house.
  • Major outlets will carry live coverage, including VPM’s broadcast beginning at 11:20 a.m. EST and FOX LOCAL along with FOX 5 DC’s YouTube and TikTok streams.
  • Spanberger has begun assembling her administration, naming Jenna Conway as state superintendent of public instruction, Connor Andrews as deputy secretary, and Carrie Chenery as secretary of commerce and trade.
  • Policy attention is shifting to early moves Democrats are pursuing, with proposals to reenter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, expand energy storage, bolster school funding, and debate tax changes tied to affordability, as Spanberger plans her first address to the General Assembly on Monday.