Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat representing a swing district in Virginia, announced her candidacy for governor on Monday.
Spanberger, who won a third term in 2022 by a margin of 4.66 percentage points, emphasized that she isn't seeking another term in Congress. Spanberger was first elected in 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Dave Brat in that year's wave election.
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia's Republican governor, who assumed office at the beginning of 2022, is barred by the state constitution from seeking reelection in 2025.
Speculation regarding a possible White House run by Youngkin has subsided since last Tuesday's disappointing off-year election results.
During a House Democratic Caucus phone call in 2020 that was leaked to the press, Spanberger strongly advised her colleagues to reconsider their position on defunding the police.
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Spanberger's campaign announcement video highlights her opposition to book bans and abortion restrictions.
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