Democratic Rep. Spanberger announces 2025 campaign for Virginia governor

Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger said Monday that she is not seeking reelection to her seat but will instead run for governor of Virginia in 2025.

"Despite dangerous polarization, I have found ways to bring people together," Spanberger said in her first campaign video as she reflected on her time in Congress, where she has served since 2019 after ousting incumbent Republican Rep. David Brat.

"While some politicians in Richmond focus on banning abortion and books, what they're not doing is helping people," she also said, criticizing incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who supported a 15-week abortion ban and campaigned on parental rights in education. 

Youngkin will be ineligible to run for reelection in 2025, as the state constitution prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms.

Spanberger is the first candidate formally to enter Virginia's 2025 gubernatorial race.

Meanwhile, Republicans are likely looking to retake her congressional seat in 2024 as they battle to maintain control of the House.

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