HENRICO, Va. — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger introduced Monday that she is going to run for governor of Virginia in 2025 slightly than search reelection to the U.S. Home of Representatives subsequent yr.
Spanberger, a three-term Democrat, made the announcement in a marketing campaign video, highlighting the significance of reducing prescription drug costs, rising the center class and easing inflation. In a video titled “What Issues Most,” Spanberger additionally emphasised the significance of recruiting and retaining lecturers “and stopping extremists from tearing aside girls’s reproductive rights.”
“Our nation and our commonwealth face basic threats to our rights, freedoms, and democracy,” Spanberger stated. “Whereas some politicians in Richmond are centered on banning abortion and books, what they aren’t doing helps folks.”
Spanberger represents Virginia’s seventh Congressional District, a key swing seat in Northern Virginia that’s up for election subsequent yr. Her determination to not search re-election to the Home may result in a aggressive Democratic major on the seventh. Just a few Republican candidates have already introduced their campaigns.
The previous CIA officer and U.S. Postal Service regulation enforcement official has gained her first congressional race in a district that has been managed by Republicans for almost 50 years.
The Commonwealth prohibits its governors from serving consecutive phrases. This has led to intense hypothesis about Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s subsequent political transfer, in addition to early maneuvering in efficient shadow campaigns for the CEO’s workplace.
As for different potential gubernatorial candidates, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, a Democrat, is predicted to announce his marketing campaign plans quickly.
Amongst Republicans, Lawyer Common Jason Miyares and Gov. Winsome Earl Sears are broadly considered in political circles as potential contenders. Neither has publicly dedicated to working, and each have additionally stated they’re centered on this yr’s legislative races.
Outgoing Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase may additionally run. Chase, who misplaced the June major and ran unsuccessfully for her occasion’s nomination for governor in 2021, stated she is ruling out a run for U.S. Senate subsequent yr and is contemplating working once more for governor or lieutenant governor, describing the latter as extra possible. .
Final month, former Virginia Home Speaker Eileen Feller-Corn introduced she wouldn’t run for governor in 2025, and can as a substitute run subsequent yr to characterize the aggressive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a colleague. Democratic Rep. Jennifer Wexton.
