Virginia Gets First Female Governor: Abigail Spanberger

The first big race on Tuesday's ballot has been called: Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governor's race in Virginia and will become the first woman to hold the seat, reports the AP. The former congresswoman defeated Winsome Earle-Sears, the current GOP lieutenant governor, with the AP calling the race about an hour after polls closed at 7. Spanberger had a comfortable lead in the polls heading into Election Day following a campaign that put a focus on the Trump administration's mass federal layoffs—a big issue in the state.

Spanberger also sought to link her opponent to President Trump in a flurry of campaign ads. Earle-Sears is indeed a Trump supporter, though the president never specifically endorsed her campaign. The lieutenant governor made immigration and transgender issues a big focus of her campaign, notes CBS News. Spanberger will replace Republican Glenn Youngkin, who was barred by term limits from running again. Democrats also won the lieutenant governor and attorney general races in the state: Jay Jones will be AG, ousting Republican incumbent Jason Miyares despite controversial texts from Jones that recently resurfaced, and Ghazala Hashmi will be lieutenant governor. This story has been updated with details of other Virginia races.