Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger has established herself as a bipartisan consensus builder, but instead of seeking re-election next year, she announced her candidacy for Virginia Governor in 2025. In her announcement, Spanberger pledged to address issues such as lowering prescription drug prices and protecting women’s reproductive rights. The decision not to seek re-election in the 7th Congressional District of Virginia is expected to lead to a competitive Democratic primary. The district, which shifted northward and became more Democratic-friendly after redistricting, was carried by Spanberger in the 2022 reelection over a Republican challenger.
Representing the 7th Congressional District, also known as a key swing seat in northern Virginia, Spanberger first won election to Congress as part of a wave of female candidates who helped Democrats retake the U.S. House in 2018. Despite embracing liberal positions like supporting abortion rights and LGBTQ rights, Spanberger is often regarded as a centrist moderate in Congress. She has an independent streak, notably criticizing the “defund the police” movement. The announcement of her candidacy for Governor is the first official entrance into the 2025 race, with the expectation of an expanded field in both the Democratic and Republican primaries for Governor.
The decision not to seek re-election in the 7th Congressional District of Virginia was made by Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who announced her candidacy for Virginia Governor in 2025. Spanberger is known as a bipartisan consensus builder, emphasizing issues such as lowering prescription drug prices and protecting women’s reproductive rights in her campaign unveiling. The decision is expected to lead to a competitive Democratic primary, as the district was carried by Spanberger in the 2022 reelection over a Republican challenger. Additionally a centrist moderate in Congress, Spanberger is the first candidate to officially join the 2025 race, which has the expectation of a competitive field in both the Democratic and Republican primaries for Governor, along with other potential Democratic candidates for Governor in 2025.
