Virginia election winners break race and gender barriers amid national scrutiny on diversity
November 5, 2025
Virginia voters have made history by electing candidates who broke race and gender barriers in this week’s elections. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has become the first woman to win the Virginia governor’s race, defeating Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. In her acceptance speech on Tuesday, Spanberger emphasized choosing pragmatism over partisanship. Democrat Ghazala Hashmi has become the first Muslim woman to win statewide office anywhere in the country, defeating Republican John Reid for lieutenant governor. And Jay Jones has become the first Black person to hold the attorney general position in a former Confederate state, defeating Republican incumbent Jason Miyares.