Overview
- The inauguration is scheduled for noon Saturday on the South Portico of the Virginia State Capitol, where Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones will also be sworn in, followed by a parade through Capitol Square.
- Public events span the weekend under the theme “United for Virginia’s Future,” including Friday’s Made in Virginia Market in Richmond and a Sunday open house at the Executive Mansion; the ceremony is free, ticketed for seating, and will be livestreamed.
- Spanberger has named early administration picks, tapping Jenna Conway as state superintendent of public instruction, Connor Andrews as a deputy secretary, and Carrie Chenery as secretary of commerce and trade.
- With Democrats controlling the governorship and both legislative chambers, early moves are expected on energy and education, including Spanberger’s stated plan to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and support for expanded solar and energy storage.
- Outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin used his final address to tout roughly $9 billion in tax relief, major business investment totals, and declines in murders and fatal fentanyl overdoses as achievements of his term.