On a cold, gray, drizzly morning in Richmond, thousands of Virginians gathered on the steps of the state capitol to witness a moment more than two centuries in the making: Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration as Virginia’s 75th governor and the first female governor in history.
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Shortly before noon, Mr. Spanberger arrived at the Virginia State Capitol in a motorcade and parked behind the building, out of view of the crowd that had gathered in Capitol Square. The Democrat, who was joined by her husband, wore a bright blue-purple pantsuit. Most supporters had never seen her arrive. Moments later, she appeared beaming on stage, wearing a striking white coat with a gold brooch, a bright contrast to the gray sky and rain-darkened stones, to thunderous applause.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger watches the inaugural parade with her daughters in Richmond on January 17, 2026.Christopher Wiggins “The Advocate”
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Organizers expected cold and wet weather and handed out plastic ponchos, hand warmers, seat cushions, hot chocolate and water as people arrived early and waited out intermittent drizzle. The discomfort only sharpened the sense of purpose that characterized that day: the peaceful transfer of power in a state initiated by George Washington in Virginia that Spanberger himself described as “the cornerstone of America’s democratic experiment.”
Just before Spanberger was sworn in, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi was sworn in as Virginia’s lieutenant governor and Democrat Jay Jones was sworn in as attorney general, completing a Democratic sweep of top offices across the Commonwealth. Hashmi is the first Muslim woman elected to a state legislature in the United States, and Jones is the first Black man to serve as Virginia’s attorney general.
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The crowd reflected the political and historical weight of the occasion. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner attended along with a bipartisan group of former governors. Democrats Ralph Northam, Terry McAuliffe, L. Douglas Wilder and former Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell also attended. Mr. Wilder, the first black governor elected in Virginia and the nation, drew sustained applause when he acknowledged that Mr. Spanberger was celebrating his 95th birthday. State Sen. Danica Roem, Virginia’s first transgender person elected to the state legislature, was among those in attendance in her official capacity as a member of the joint session.
Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride marched in Governor Abigail Spanberger’s inaugural parade in Richmond, Virginia.Christopher Wiggins “The Advocate”
Standing at the crossroads of past and present, Mr. Spanberger delivered a speech that was part inaugural address and part history lesson, purposefully educating his audience about Virginia’s major role in shaping American democracy. “In Virginia’s storied history, we have witnessed 75 transfers from governor to governor,” she said. “It is the honor of my life to stand before you today and take the oath. I have never forgotten the weight of this history and this moment.”
She cited Patrick Henry’s warning against sectarianism, recalled the suffragists who returned to that stage year after year to seek votes, pointed to Virginia’s long delay in ratifying the 19th Amendment, and cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1960 speech in Richmond, pleading for adherence to the Constitution. Brown v. Board of Education. This line was unmistakable. Virginia’s progress came through persistence, coalition building, and gradually expanding the reach of the promise of democracy.
Mr. Spanberger pivoted sharply from history to the present, giving voice to what many Virginians are feeling amid the turmoil in Washington.
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“I know many of you are concerned about the recklessness coming out of Washington,” she said, noting that federal policies are “damaging communities, reducing access to health care, and hollowing out rural hospitals” while “shutting down markets, stifling innovation in private industry, and attacking those who have dedicated their lives to public service.” She warned that the government is “gilding buildings while schools crumble,” “destroying our social safety net,” “instilling fear in our communities,” and betraying “our values as Americans.”
LGBTQ+ people and their allies marched with giant Pride flags at Governor Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, on January 17, 2026.Christopher Wiggins “The Advocate”
She directly connected those concerns to everyday life in Virginia. “Across the Commonwealth, everything continues to rise a little bit,” Spanberger said, pointing to food, medicine, childcare, electricity, rent and mortgages. The family is tense and “it seems to be getting more and more difficult,” she said.
Still, she sounded a sound of solid solidarity. Spanberger acknowledged differences of opinion in the crowd and beyond and said differences in perspective need not preclude cooperation. “Your perspective may differ from mine, but that does not prevent us from working together to find common purpose.”
Mr. Spanberger said Virginia’s federal government exists to serve the public interest and its strength depends on embracing the full diversity of its people. She spoke about inclusive educational experiences, respect for our immigrant neighbors, and the need to ensure that all Virginians, regardless of background, are involved in our state’s future. She argued that inclusion and diversity are not abstract ideals, but the basis of unity and prosperity.
At the same time, she noted the anxiety weighing on families across the state. “Across the Commonwealth, everything is getting a little more expensive,” she said, citing things like groceries, rent, healthcare and energy bills. The answer, she promised, would be pragmatic governance focused on affordability, stability and results, not ideological theatrics.
These priorities were already visible in her first hours as governor. On his first day as governor, Spanberger signed a series of executive orders aimed at lowering the cost of living, strengthening public education, protecting workers and reversing some of the policies of his Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin. She rescinded Youngkin’s directive encouraging state and local law enforcement to assist with federal civil immigration enforcement, but left other late directives in place for now.
After the oath was over, the atmosphere changed. The rain has stopped. The clouds cleared. And as the inaugural parade descended, the sun shone in and the sky turned a clear, defiant blue.
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi (left), Governor Abigail Spanberger (right) and Senior Gentleman Adam Spanberger.Christopher Wiggins “The Advocate”
Thousands of people watched, cheering as marching bands, labor unions, community groups and advocacy groups passed the screening table. Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride were also among the representatives, and more than 50 LGBTQ+ people and their allies carrying Progress Pride and Trans Pride flags walked together, painting the area in rainbow colors under a banner that read “We Belong Here.” The crowd cheered. From the judging stand, Spanberger was all smiles and blew kisses as each flag passed.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
