Listen to the article
Virginia Governor Spanberger Faces Record Unpopularity in Early Months of Administration
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is experiencing unprecedented levels of disapproval just months after her decisive election victory last November, according to a new poll released this week.
The survey shows that 46% of Virginians disapprove of Spanberger’s job performance, while 47% approve—giving her the highest disapproval rating of any Virginia governor at this point in their term since polling began in 1994.
This marks a stark contrast to her landslide victory less than six months ago, when she defeated then-Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears by a commanding 15-point margin. That election swept Democrats into power across Virginia’s statewide offices, with Ghazala Hashmi winning the lieutenant governor race and Jay Jones becoming attorney general.
Spanberger’s current approval numbers stand in sharp relief against her predecessors from both parties. Her immediate predecessor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, enjoyed a 54-39% approval rating at the same point in his administration. Former Democratic Governor Mark Warner, now a U.S. Senator, recorded the highest favorability of any recent Virginia governor with a 78-20% rating early in his term.
“While some political polarization is baked in, it’s unusual to see such results for Governor Spanberger this early in her term, especially after campaigning on a centrist image,” said Mark Rozell, Dean of George Mason University’s Policy and Government program, who co-sponsored the poll.
Political analysts point to several policy pivots that may have contributed to Spanberger’s declining popularity. Critics have highlighted her apparent shift on redistricting, a particularly contentious issue in Virginia politics. In 2019, then-Congresswoman Spanberger tweeted, “Gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy and it weakens the individual voices that form our electorates. Opposing gerrymandering should be a bipartisan priority.”
Yet now, her administration is supporting a redistricting referendum that opponents claim would unfairly empower Democratic-leaning counties, particularly Fairfax County. The proposal would create five newly-drawn districts originating in Fairfax that critics argue would diminish the political voices of rural central and western Virginia.
Gun policy represents another area where Spanberger has faced accusations of shifting positions. During her congressional tenure, she advocated for what she termed “commonsense reforms” while emphasizing her background as a gun-carrying former CIA agent and postal inspector. As governor, however, she appears poised to sign sweeping gun control legislation drafted by progressive lawmakers from Fairfax County.
“I’m a mother of three girls in Virginia Public Schools. I’m also a former federal agent who carried a gun every single day for my job,” Spanberger said at a 2025 rally. “So I come at this issue as someone who cares deeply about the safety of our kids and as someone who understands the responsibilities of owning and of carrying a firearm.”
The redistricting referendum, scheduled for an April 21 vote, has already generated significant political activity. One proposed district, described by critics as “lobster-shaped,” has attracted three prominent Democratic candidates despite the referendum not yet being decided by voters.
Spanberger’s current situation presents a political conundrum. Despite her plummeting approval ratings, only 7% of Virginians consider her administration “too conservative,” suggesting her challenges may stem more from perceived inconsistency than from specific policy positions.
The governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the poll results or the specific policy criticisms.
These early struggles come at a critical time for Virginia politics, as the state continues to navigate its identity as a purple battleground that has trended blue in recent presidential elections but remains competitive in state races. How Spanberger addresses these approval challenges could significantly impact both her administration’s effectiveness and Virginia Democrats’ prospects in future elections.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
Interesting to see Spanberger’s approval drop so quickly. Gerrymandering is a thorny issue – I wonder if it’s the main driver of the unpopularity or if there are other factors at play. Either way, it’s important to have fair and transparent electoral districts.
This is a challenging situation for Spanberger, but it’s not surprising given the divisive nature of gerrymandering. She’ll need to find a way to address the issue that resonates with all Virginians, not just her base. Effective leadership requires a delicate balance.
Gerrymandering is a thorny issue that often sparks heated debates. I hope Spanberger can find a way to navigate it that restores faith in the electoral process and brings Virginians together, rather than driving them further apart.
Spanberger’s approval drop is noteworthy, but it’s still early days. Governing is challenging, and she’ll need to find ways to bring Virginians together across party lines. Gerrymandering is a complex problem without easy solutions.
It’s concerning to see a new governor face such low approval ratings. Gerrymandering is a complex and contentious topic – I hope Spanberger can find a way to address it constructively and regain the trust of Virginia voters.
This is a concerning development for Spanberger. Gerrymandering is a thorny issue, and I hope she can find a way to address it that doesn’t further polarize the state. Effective governance requires building bridges, not walls.
Gerrymandering is always a tricky issue. I wonder if Spanberger’s actions on that front have been perceived as too partisan by some. Maintaining bipartisan support is crucial for any governor, especially in the early stages of their term.
This highlights the challenges of governing in a divided political environment. Spanberger will need to find ways to bridge the partisan divide and focus on issues that matter to all Virginians, not just her base. Transparency and accountability will be key.