Virginia's New Governor Struggles Early Despite Big Win

Virginia just elected Abigail Spanberger governor in a landslide last November. She promised to be a moderate leader, but now, just 80 days into her term, her approval ratings are the worst for any Virginia governor in the 21st century. Only 47% of voters approve of her performance, while 46% disapprove. That’s a tiny +1 favorability rating. Spanberger’s predecessor, Glenn Youngkin, had a much stronger start. After 80 days, he had a +15 favorability rating, with 54% approving and only 39% disapproving. Most Virginia governors in the last 25 years did well early on, but Spanberger is already struggling. Even her fellow Democrat, Ralph Northam, started with a +9 favorability after 80 days.What makes Spanberger’s drop in popularity surprising is her huge election win. She beat her Republican opponent by over 15 points. But since taking office, she’s pushed policies far to the left of what she campaigned on. She refused to work with immigration officials, ended strict sentencing for violent crimes, and pushed for higher taxes. She’s also focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, along with stricter gun laws. One of her biggest moves was a redistricting plan that could drastically change Virginia’s political map. If passed, it would shift the state from six Democrat and five Republican districts to ten Democrat and just one Republican district. Many see this as an attempt to weaken Republican influence. Virginia voters might now regret their choice. Had they stuck with Youngkin’s lieutenant governor, Winsome Earl-Sears, they could have kept four more years of his leadership. Earl-Sears didn’t win the election, but both candidates’ records were clear. Now, Virginians face four years under Spanberger’s progressive policies.