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Over 250 years, Virginia has been led by 74 state executives, each one of them men. On Tuesday, Abigail Spanberger broke this longstanding tradition by winning the election as the initial woman to hold the office in Virginia's annals.

A Campaign Focused On Economic Issues and Strategic Opposition

Ex- US congresswoman and CIA operative won with a election strategy that stressed cost-of-living issues and carefully challenged the former president's agenda as opposed to the person.

Background and Academic Journey

Hailing from in a New Jersey town on a summer day in 1979, she moved to a Virginia community at age 13. Her father was an army veteran who subsequently worked in police work; her mother was a healthcare professional and community helper.

She studied at the Virginia's flagship university, receiving a diploma in French studies. Upon completing her studies, she had a short stint as a educator before turning to a government work.

“I grew up understanding that I wanted to walk the same path as my dad and I did,” Spanberger told supporters at a event in Norfolk, Virginia last Saturday.

Government Roles

At the federal agency, she worked cases involving drugs, exploiters and financial criminals. She executed court mandates, frequently being the only woman on the arrest team. She then entered the CIA and concentrated on national security, working covertly and abroad.

Personal Crossroads

In 2014, she and her husband Adam, an technical professional, faced a decision. Living on the Pacific coast, they were contemplating another overseas assignment. They pulled out a globe and asked their oldest child, then in kindergarten, where they should go. Virginia, she answered, because “family and friends lives in Virginia”.

Spanberger shared at her rally: “And so we chose to shift from a national duty, to local engagement because she was correct. Everyone we love lives in Virginia.”

Entry into Politics

Back in her home state, she volunteered with an advocacy organization, which addresses firearm incidents, and founded a Girl Scout troop. In 2017, she chose to run for Congress, which advisers told her was a “impossible task” because the party hadn't had won the congressional seat in decades.

“But I observed what Donald Trump was implementing with his executive power and how he was dividing communities. And I noticed my member of Congress over and over again oppose the Affordable Care Act. And I knew I had to step up. So spoiler: I won.”

Bipartisan Reputation

In Washington, she rapidly became associated with the Blue Dog Coalition, a alliance of centrist and fiscally moderate Democrats. She focused on less visible matters: bringing broadband to the countryside, fighting narcotics trade and support for former troops.

She quickly established a standing for partnering with colleagues across the aisle and was often cited as the most bipartisan representative of the Virginia delegation. She was outspoken about messaging that she believed alienated independents, warning her party against ideological slogans that could be used against them in contested districts.

The "Mod Squad"

Along with Congresswomen a former CIA analyst and Mikie Sherrill, she was called a member of the “pragmatic group” in opposition to the progressive “squad” of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Run for Governor

In that autumn, she declared she would not seek re-election for a fourth term and would instead run for governor in 2025.

Her platform highlighted ideas of public service, advocacy for education and public works and defense of governing systems. Her CIA background gave her authority on national security issues and she spoke of government work as a vocation instead of a career.

Win Over Opponent

This enabled her to overcome Republican opponent her challenger's criticisms on cultural issues, including the claim that Spanberger is an extremist on civil rights and transgender healthcare.

The governor-elect, who stated that individual districts should decide whether transgender students can join school athletics, cast her opponent as the contender more misaligned with the center of the Virginia electorate.