Spanberger to run for Governor in 2025

BY SARAH RANKIN

Updated 1:00 PM EST, November 13, 202

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who has cultivated an identity as a bipartisan consensus builder over three terms in Congress, announced on Monday that she will run for Virginia governor in 2025 instead of seeking reelection next year.

Spanberger, 44, made the announcement in a campaign video, pledging to work to lower prescription drug prices, grow the middle class and ease inflation. Spanberger also vowed to focus on recruiting and retaining teachers “and stopping extremists from shredding women’s reproductive rights.”

“Our country and our Commonwealth are facing fundamental threats to our rights, our freedoms, and to our democracy,” said Spanberger, who won’t face a term-limited GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin. “While some politicians in Richmond focus on banning abortion and books, what they’re not doing is helping people.”

Should Spanberger be elected, she would be Virginia’s first female Governor.

Republicans believe they have a good chance of flipping Spanberger’s red leaning district and pick up another seat in the House of Representatives.