Spanberger faces criticism for claiming credit for investments secured by Republican predecessor

Virginia Governor Spanberger Under Fire for Taking Credit for Predecessor’s Economic Achievements

Virginia’s Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger has sparked controversy by claiming credit for economic investments that were secured under her Republican predecessor, Glenn Youngkin. The dispute highlights growing tensions between the state’s political parties as Spanberger navigates her first months in office.

Earlier this week, Spanberger touted signing legislation authorizing four major investments from aerospace, energy, and pharmaceutical industries. According to her office’s press release, these deals would bring 3,250 new jobs and $7.1 billion in business investment to Virginia.

“From my very first day in office, I have been working to create a stable business environment so companies can hire, expand, and continue to invest in our Commonwealth,” Spanberger declared in the statement.

However, Republican leaders quickly pointed out that Spanberger’s signature was largely ceremonial, as these economic development deals were negotiated and announced during Youngkin’s administration. During his term, the former Republican governor secured $156 billion in total CEO commitments—more than the previous six gubernatorial administrations combined.

“She’s trying to take credit for somebody else’s work,” former Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told Fox News Digital. “In grade school we call that cheating.”

The investments in question include $537 million to aerospace company Avio USA (announced December 2025), $457 million to an energy company (announced September 2025), over $2 billion to pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly (announced September 2025), and $4 billion to AstraZeneca (announced October 2025). All were secured under Youngkin’s leadership but required final legislative approval, which Spanberger signed.

Youngkin spokesperson Justin Discigil didn’t mince words: “The last three months have been nothing but horrible news for Virginians as Abigail Spanberger broke every single promise she made on the campaign trail and now has the lowest approval rating of any Virginia governor this century.”

Spanberger’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

The controversy highlights broader concerns among Virginia Republicans about the governor’s economic policies. Critics point to new taxes being introduced despite Spanberger’s campaign promises focused on affordability. The Democrat narrowly won the governorship in November 2025, running as a moderate.

“Abigail Spanberger’s first 100 days in office have been a disaster when it comes to economic development,” argued Miyares. He cited concerns about the state’s tax environment, regulatory framework, and litigation climate under the new administration.

“Three pillars of a good business environment is a good tax environment, a good regulatory environment and an environment that—from a litigation perspective—is not anti-business. Spanberger has already indicated and done a rash of bills that will make Virginia less competitive,” Miyares added.

The former attorney general claimed that several businesses recruited by Youngkin were now reconsidering expansion plans in Virginia due to Spanberger’s policies. He also criticized her energy policies, stating, “Spanberger does not believe in energy abundance” despite touting energy infrastructure investments.

Sean Kennedy, president of Virginians for Safe Communities, was equally critical: “My simple message for Abigail Spanberger is, to quote Elizabeth Warren, ‘You didn’t build that!’ Spanberger has to take credit for her Republican predecessor’s accomplishments bringing jobs to Virginia because her policies are actually raising taxes, killing jobs, and hiking energy costs.”

The Virginia GOP has emphasized that Spanberger inherited a $2.7 billion surplus and a growing job market from the previous administration. In February, responding to reports of rising unemployment numbers in Virginia, the party stated that Spanberger and Democratic allies were “squandering it all in a matter of weeks while breaking every promise they made on ‘affordability.'”

As Spanberger continues her first year in office as Virginia’s first female governor, this dispute underscores the challenges she faces in establishing her economic credentials while managing heightened partisan scrutiny of her administration’s policies and accomplishments.