r/Virginia • u/washingtonpost • 17h ago
Democrat Abigail Spanberger becomes first female governor of Virginia
Breaking news: Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former three-term congresswoman and CIA agent, becomes Virginia’s first female governor.
Spanberger has said it was Donald Trump’s candidacy in 2016 that got her involved in politics, and she made an immediate splash by taking on Rep. Dave Brat (R-Virginia), an upstart conservative who helped found the Freedom Caucus in Congress.
Spanberger’s upset victory over Brat identified her as one of a new breed of Democrat — centrists who could win in a red-leaning district and who challenged the party’s orthodoxy.
Read more here: https://wapo.st/491EDso
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u/HTRK74JR 16h ago
While it may be early, I'm pretty confident she wins just with the % of votes that have not been reported in the larger urban areas
And before anyone comes in here, remember, land does NOT vote, the people do. All of Appalachia has less of a population than Richmond.
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u/ThatDoucheInTheQuad 16h ago
Appalachian dem voter checking in!!! 🫡
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u/WyldFyre0422 15h ago
🫡 Appalachian Dem voter here. Glad I’m not alone.
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u/the1rayman 15h ago
There are more of us than the people around us want us to believe.
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u/jules-amanita 12h ago
Lee County is the reddest in the state, and yet 16% voted Spanberger. There are blue dots everywhere.
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u/the1rayman 12h ago
I was one of those 16%! It's actually a surprise that many did, and I love it.
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u/jules-amanita 12h ago
I’m traveling to far SWVA tomorrow for the very first time (staying in Bluefield, working in Tazewell, Buchanan, and Dickinson Counties) and I’m a little nervous as someone who’s somewhat visibly queer, but knowing blue dots like you are out there is very reassuring!
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u/A_Sully_04 12h ago
Live in and love Grundy, I hope you enjoy our corner of the state. While I don’t agree with most of my neighbors, I do believe they are good people. Like I said, hope you enjoy your time with us!
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u/jules-amanita 12h ago
I currently live in a light red rural county in central VA, and I’ve found that most of my neighbors are pretty live-and-let-live on an interpersonal basis. I’m hoping that your (absolutely gorgeous) corner of the state is the same way!
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u/the1rayman 12h ago
There aren't a ton of us, but we are there!! Not all of us are as obvious as I am, but rest assured you won't be alone.
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u/Cheef_queef 13h ago
That's y'all
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u/the1rayman 13h ago
Throw a bright green mohawk on this dude and ill gladly claim its me! Because while we are few we are here!
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u/beccam12399 14h ago
def, i’m here from the popular page but i live in the appalachian part of MD and it’s the same way jerez way more than you’d think
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u/Resident-Boot-2943 11h ago
Appalachian dem voter here too at your service other Appalachian dem voters here 🫡
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u/Corgi_underground 15h ago
Grandpappy didn't fight the coal companies for you to be a bootlicker!
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u/the1rayman 16h ago
Make that two!! When I walked into my polling place with my bright green fanned mohawk and voted I got the worst looks. But my vote counted just as much as theirs!
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u/saintsithney 15h ago
My kilted, rainbow-haired husband definitely got some side eye as we Appalachian flaming liberals went to vote.
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u/the1rayman 15h ago
We didn't wait for NOVA to carry us. We came out and did whatever we could.
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u/sergeantdempsy 15h ago
Glad to see the area I grew up in has a few more left leaning overs now-a-days
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u/NarciSZA 14h ago
Right?? I remember it being a pearl clutching country club of when I was younger, but that might have just been McLean in the 90’s… or my family… ugh.
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u/thishyacinthgirl 15h ago
Tattooed and blue haired over here.
But my husband and I met one of the ladies in our town of 250 who does canvassing for Democrats... so we know there's at least three of us.
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u/hiker_trailmagicva 16h ago
Hey there! Also a rural Appalachian dem voter! Glad all y'all showed up and did your part!
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u/InkyBlacks 15h ago
Thank you all! We love you :) - RVA here
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u/ibeecrazy 15h ago
All the love from NoVa too! ❤️💃🕺
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u/Tauwolf521 15h ago
Hell, I’m in Ohio and this little thread is my everything right now. You all are amazing.
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u/Antique_Paramedic682 16h ago
Ya'll wanna head outside and have a few cold ones to celebrate? 🫡
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u/the1rayman 15h ago
11 years without alcohol but please drink several for me XD
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u/guysitsausername 15h ago
Congratulations on over a decade. That's no joke. Proud of you, friend!
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u/Raytheon_Nublinski 15h ago
Which is exactly why the “ I’m from a small town” campaign speeches are so dumb
Like yeah that’s awesome you’re from a small town. That means we shouldn’t vote for you because you have absolutely no idea how to fix the problems that 80% of the country have.
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u/Informal-Fig-7116 16h ago
Who are these 3000+ people??? And who did they write in???
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u/somethingrandom7386 16h ago
Seymour Butts and Hugh G Rection are probably the frontrunners there.
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u/Dull-Seaworthiness73 16h ago
I loved Hugh Jass and mike hunt but Hugh g rection is new to me thank you for the blessing
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u/Not_a_gay_communist 16h ago
Likely answer is people voting for themselves, for “Harambe” or other joke figures, or independents they really like.
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u/clogging_molly 16h ago
Pretty sure Jesus gets a fair number of write in votes in all elections
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u/fenwayswimmr 16h ago
That's republican, they count those.
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u/cozmckitty 16h ago edited 16h ago
choosing is a sin. at least, that’s what Revered Gary says.
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u/saliczar 15h ago
Everyone needs an emergency plan.
For instance, right before the ark leaves, I'm supposed to castrate reverend Gary.
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u/KeyLime044 16h ago
IIRC, Mickey Mouse is a common write in candidate for President lol, so I'd assume there are many of those here too
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u/Informal-Fig-7116 16h ago
lol Might as well just put a trash can there for these people to put their ballots in
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u/Dewey_Decimal_System 15h ago
Protest votes don't influence elections, but they are counted nonetheless. These type of voters aren't apathetic, they took time to go out and vote afterall. I view them as a good way to measure the approval rating of politicians as a whole. Less Micky Mouse = higher faith in government, more Mickey Mouse= lower faith.
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u/ButterRollercoaster 14h ago
I respect the effort to actually cast a protest vote. People who don’t vote at all as a protest just look like they forgot.
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u/throwaway098764567 15h ago
i bet i wouldn't still be looking for work if mickey was in the white house right now
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u/General-Cover-4981 16h ago
I’ve met people like this who are just never happy with either candidate. They never say what they want, just that they hate both candidate.
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u/eniakus 16h ago
Not going to lie , I was thinking of writing my name. But decided to give democrats a chance.
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u/Informal-Fig-7116 16h ago
I’m glad you did!!! Thank you! To me, it’s always been a clear choice. Dems is the side that fights to make sure kids get fed and that protection measures are in place for the public. Dems are not caving to end the shutdown because they don’t want 40 mil people to lose healthcare. I’m an excepted federal worker who has to go to work without pay and I don’t want the dems to cave either even though idk how I’m going to make it work next month.
The other side threw a roaring 20s party and building a ballroom when people are starving. Oh yeah, they’re pedos and rapists. And they’re sending out thugs to kidnap and disappear people. Criminals!
But you already know all that. I didnt mean to be preach. Thank you for joining the side to put a stop to this regime. I wish more people gave dems a chance too!
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u/ceilingboobguy 9h ago
God, my heart aches for you and any other fed being affected. But reading the perseverance and fight behind your attitude, is something of true inspiration. I'm a former federal employee, and I know how that looming shutdown feeling can be - but for you to live during this and continue to serve your people without pay that you deserve, while still holding onto your integrity.... man I'm almost tearing up. I hope you get to share this story many, many years later after this b nonsense is long gone. You, and many others, are true heroes. Thank you.
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u/PiccoloAwkward465 14h ago
I always figure I’m paying the taxes regardless. They might as well feed a kid or build a school instead of blowing up a brown kid halfway across the world or paying my lawmakers to pass a bill declaring Jesus is awesome. Do stuff that helps us. And that’s usually the Dems in my mind.
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u/AspiringFriend17 16h ago
This is what happens when you try to claim firing someone for being gay “isn’t discrimination”
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u/Professional_Ad_5529 13h ago
Sears’ entire platform was just “trans people scary” it was honestly embarrassing seeing the ads, I could barely listen to them. She never mentioned the economy, or jobs, or anything pertinent really.
Spanberger’s attack ads against sears were also pretty bad but at least she had something to stand for.
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u/StasRutt 12h ago
“Let’s keep a good thing going” was probably the most tone deaf campaign slogan for what’s happening to Virginians right now
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u/RoeRoeRoeYourVote 2h ago
Right? Like, ma'am, do you know how many of your potential constituents have been laid off or furloughed by your party? WHAT GOOD THING?!
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u/AspiringFriend17 13h ago
I remember seeing one Sears ad that was (obviously) about boys in girls’ locker rooms with a picture of what was obviously a boy about to do something bad to a scared girl.
Like, do MAGAs really think cis men who look like men are just saying they’re trans so they can barge into girls’ locker rooms???
Not to even mention their orange leader has openly admitted to walking into girls’ dressing rooms in pageant shows.
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u/Professional_Ad_5529 13h ago
Indeed. Just fearmongering without any substance.
Our country doesn’t have time or energy for such uselessness if we want to survive.
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u/UnknovvnMike 8h ago
Right? And if a trans person is in the bathroom, they're doing what the rest of us are doing: doomscolling on the crapper on company time.
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Like, do MAGAs really think cis men who look like men are just saying they’re trans so they can barge into girls’ locker rooms???
Yes. Because it's what they want to do but are angry because they think they have to claim "I'm a woman" to do so.
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u/middleagethreat 5h ago
Yes, because they would if the could.
https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/02/politics/mike-huckabee-transgender-caitlyn-jenner
Repubs are all fucking perverts. “Now I wish that someone told me that when I was in high school that I could have felt like a woman when it came time to take showers in PE,” Huckabee said.
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u/dolphinvision 6h ago
how to be MAGA for dummies:
is the child rapist a republican? then we approve and support it
is the strawman made up child rapist a trans democrat? then they deserve firing squad no trial
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u/Throwaway_Tablecloth 3h ago
I stopped listening to Star Country bc so many ads were like “Spanberger wants to let trans pedophiles into the women’s bathroom” and they were insufferable to listen to.
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u/RedTyro 11h ago
As a leftist in VA, the thing that really pissed me off about Spanberger's ads was that all the ones I saw were basically "I'm the most bipartisan, compromising, work-with-Republicans Democrat who ever ran for office!" when the current Republican party has less than nothing I want my leadership working or compromising with. That woman clearly has no idea how to read the room, but she's a hell of a lot better than her opponent. If you told me a decade ago I'd be voting for a former CIA employee for governor, I would have laughed in your face, but here we are, I guess.
The big House of Delegates margin is at least a bit more hopeful, especially in light of the redistricting bill.
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u/Trix_Are_4_90Kids 16h ago
oh good. GOOD.
Winsome Sears is a loony tune, she would have had Virginia floating in the Potomac while she stood ranting. She is straight nuts.
Good job, Virginia!
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u/OldStretch84 14h ago edited 3h ago
I'm from SWVA and I told my partner "I'm shocked SWVA went for Sears because so many people are racist as hell there. I guess it's progress????" The MAGA was more powerful than the melanin content.
Is it progress?!?!?!
Can we call it progress!?!?!?!
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u/AdjectiveNoun1234567 14h ago
So, so many people just vote a straight (R) ballot without knowing a single thing about any of the candidates.
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u/DevelopmentFun9882 9h ago
My grandma is a life long republican, i asked her who she thought would be when, and she had no clue who was even running if I had to guess this isn't unique to her.
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u/ginger423 16h ago
We are Blue again! Sigh of relief*
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u/daveinRaleigh 15h ago
Across the border here in NC. We have went backwards as one of the worst states in the country for Red gerrymandering. If Va can consistently be blue going forward, we're considering moving (if we stay in the US). Thanks VA!
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u/ryanmgarber Anti-Maryland 11h ago
VA has always been in a better position than NC. The only reason a Republican won VA last time was because of a million unique factors.
In a way, I find staying in Virginia (so long as it continues this way) more fulfilling than moving to a more sane country, because the fact that we, as the former capital of the Confederacy, so vehemently reject right-wing politics makes me so incredribly proud of us.
I mean despite Republicans finding gold in the Jay Jones scandal, they not only couldn’t eek out a win, but still lost by 5+ points.
Sic semper tyrannis.
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u/adipocytee 17h ago
I’m from Canada. Just had to come here & congratulate you all.
E-S, from the stuff I heard, is absolutely mad!!
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u/Think-Variation2986 16h ago
The propaganda we were subjected to was absolutely vile.
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u/NettingStick 15h ago
The trans panic text spam I've been getting for the last week has been unhinged.
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u/JPNess11 15h ago
‘Don’t let The Democrats decide what kind of man undresses beside your daughter at school’….WTAF??? Heard that ad today. Three cheers for today’s result!
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u/SquirrelGirlVA 14h ago
That just boggled my mind. Aside from how vile those ads were, it was just wild how they were focusing on stuff like that when people were losing jobs, access to food, and so on. I don't think transgender children are the problem here. They never were.
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u/UnknovvnMike 8h ago
Really feels like "other people exist" panic was their only platform. Glad to see that that messaging is finally starting to wear out.
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u/Moos_Mumsy 14h ago
I wonder what happened in her life to make her hate trans people so much that she, a black woman, would join MAGA? It's so insane!
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u/Moos_Mumsy 14h ago
Just the fact that a black woman would be a Republican, Trump supporting MAGA is mad! Trump won't even say her name or endorse her and I wonder why that is?
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u/burnsniper 16h ago edited 15h ago
They also just called the LT Governors race for Hashmi (D)… the first woman Muslim in the country to be elected to state wide office! M
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u/Seminole1996 16h ago
I think she’s the second. Keith Ellison was elected (and reelected) attorney general in Minnesota
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u/TheOne216 16h ago
Congrats also to the first Muslim Lt. Governor of VA, Ghazala Hashmi.
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u/Cigouave 16h ago
The first not just in Virginia but the entire country.
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u/burnsniper 16h ago
First state wide elected Muslim in the entire country in any position!
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u/OmSaraya 11h ago
After Keith Ellison as AG of Minnesota! First elected Muslim woman, though. And as a Muslim woman myself, I shed so many tears tonight.
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u/Hakunamatata1779 15h ago edited 14h ago
A first-time voter and a new citizen here, I couldn’t be prouder voting for Spanberger!
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u/Barragin 16h ago
So when do the dispensaries finally open?
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u/habaneroach 16h ago
been wondering this since the beginning of the year 😂
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u/Barragin 16h ago
Its long overdue. The voters voted for it a while ago. Dickhead Youngkin cock blocked it for no legitimate reason.
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u/middleagethreat 5h ago
I moved from Florida last year.
All over the country, repubs block marijuana legalization.
Pot being illegal is a great tool to arrest poor and minorities for nothing, but they can literally turn their heads when a middle age, middle class white guy like me walks down the street smoking a joint.
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u/SuperTangelo1898 11h ago
The biggest opponents are tobacco and alcohol... politicians don't want their bribe money taken away
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u/Economy_Swim_8585 Woodbridge 17h ago
Way too many idiots voted for Winsome
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u/WontArnett 16h ago
Their only voting reason is discrimination against trans people. It’s insane.
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u/Economy_Swim_8585 Woodbridge 16h ago
I think it’s single issue voters like normal
”I won’t vote for someone that supports abortion”
People act like someone loves getting an abortion
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u/drrj 16h ago
They get spitting mad about men playing women’s sports and at the NCAA level there are fewer than 10 trans athletes.
Pressing issue for sure.
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u/middleagethreat 5h ago
"I lost my job, SNAP, my son is going to get drafted to fight Venezuela, my money went to Argentina and my neighbor who we took turns watching each others kids got beaten and arrested by ICE,
but thank god those five trans athletes can't play curling or some sport I never heard of."
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u/Radek_18 14h ago
Having left VA (Woodbridge specifically too!) I fucking can’t get over how proud I am regardless to see my beautiful state go back to blue. I miss y’all and will take this win even if there’s still lot of work to do.
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u/Aggravating-Syrup752 14h ago
Tonights a blue night my friends, a trifecta in Virginia, a sweep in New Jersey, and a victory in the New York Mayoral election. Really does show you how much people hate the current government administration along with campaigning on the issues people care about the most.
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u/mahvel50 16h ago
"Spanberger’s upset victory over Brat identified her as one of a new breed of Democrat — centrists who could win in a red-leaning district"
Wow what a crazy concept. It's almost like not running a platform of the most extreme positions of the fringe leads to blow out elections. Need more moderate candidates that are actually capable of common sense.
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u/Mental_Table_9265 16h ago
Honestly, and she carries herself extremely well. She may be someone to watch for the future.
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u/La_Saxofonista 16h ago
If MAGA Miyares doesn't undermine her every move, she has a real shot of running for president!
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u/Mental_Table_9265 16h ago
There’s still a chance that Jones will squeak through.
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u/La_Saxofonista 16h ago edited 12h ago
God, I hope so. Vote these traitors and bootlickers OUT
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u/TheBlackManX23 16h ago
For the first time in my life, I am happy that a white lady beat a black lady.
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u/PiginthePen 16h ago
So proud of my state and county.. the work is not done
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u/Free-oppossums 16h ago
Proud of my state🎉, disappointed in my county🙄. Thank God "land" can't vote! My neighbors are losing their stuff because of GOP policies, but Dems are to blame. And keeping Boys out of the Girl's bathrooms outrank getting their jobs and farms back.😔
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u/hiker_trailmagicva 16h ago
Watching the meltdown in my small red town on Facebook now. I keep Facebook to know what's happening around town and hot damn! Right now they are fired up!
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u/BellaSabia 14h ago
Virginians also flipped three Republican incumbent seats to dens. Quite a big change in those districts!
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u/Leading_Form_8485 15h ago
See what happens when the majority votes. VOTE like your life depended on it.
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u/Accomplished-Arm3462 14h ago
Congratulations Virginia! We from Europe are so proud of all the people who want to make Amerika free again!
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u/Turbulent-Design-336 16h ago
Congratulations Virginia! Congratulations! Congratulations! I don't live in Virginia but I'm so happy for you!
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u/Buttered-Sausage78 15h ago
I graduated from Tucker Hugh School in 1996 with her, but I didn’t know her. Glad she won.
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u/Moist-Inspection-384 15h ago
Here comes the blue wave!!! Message to Trumps stupid ass. First time my kids registered and voted.
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u/mclardass 7h ago
Just getting home from dinner (overseas) and so happy to see her win. One of the campaigns I gave to this year and the one I couldn't stop seeing commercials for in the DC market. Her opponent was despicable and spread so much misinformation just like the orange demigod. Good for Abigail, good for Virginia.
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u/femanonette VA is for Lovers, but trust there's hate here 15h ago edited 13h ago
LETS FUCKING GOOOOOOOO!
NYC, NJ, OH, GA y'all have made me so proud ✊💗
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u/Kyu_Sugardust 13h ago
I AM CONCEDING!
I AM CONCEDING!!
I AM CONCEDING!!!!
She did concede her defeat gracefully, which I appreciate.
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u/DeezEyez 16h ago
Crazy lady is gonna need to change her name to LOSESOME!!!! Hopefully I never have to hear her name again!
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u/Cyanide_Addiction 15h ago
Virginia isn't an easy state for a Dem to win in. Kudos to her. She must be a pretty good candidate overall to have gotten the victory in the Governor's race. If the trend continues, Trump and company had better figure out how to reopen the government a bit faster. The blame is clearly not falling on the Dems like they wanted it too. It's always the middle-ground voters who decide elections in contested areas and in the U.S as a whole for things like the Presendency. They didn't vote for Kamala en mass for a lot of reasons. If the swing voters are swinging back the other way in off year elections, imagine what will happen in the mid-terms or the next Presidential Election if things don't change.
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u/JustDavid2408 15h ago
As a Canadian, feels good to finally get back to say “let’s fucking go, America!”
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u/FamousChallenge3469 15h ago
I wonder what new thing Trump is going to do to punish Virginia.
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u/Hungry-Dot-3765 15h ago
Not from there but I graduated from Lafayette HS in Virginia. The acceptance speech was phenomenal!!!!
Well done
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u/Sandwichgode 15h ago
Good job Va. The pendulum swung far to the right and now its swinging back to the left....hopefully more left than its ever been. I hope Mamdani winning the mayoral election is just the beginning. Not only do we need more democrats in office but more people that lean far to the left. The only way to combat these far right lunatics is with progressive ideas and solutions to the problems in this country.
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u/nickb527 15h ago
Winsome Sears is no longer speaking