Career Timeline of Abigail Spanberger: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Abigail Spanberger made an impact.

Abigail Spanberger is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district from 2019 to 2025. A Democrat, she won re-election in 2020 and 2022. Spanberger is the Democratic nominee for the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election and is set to face Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee. If elected, she would be the first female governor of Virginia. Before entering politics, Spanberger was an intelligence officer.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Expiration of Federal Assault Weapons Ban

In 2004, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban expired. Spanberger has since called for a new version of the ban. She favors requiring background checks on private gun sales and supported a ban on bump stocks.

2006: Joined CIA as Operations Officer

In 2006, Spanberger joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an operations officer, where she focused on gathering intelligence related to nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

2014: Left CIA for Private Sector

In 2014, Spanberger left the CIA and entered the private sector, accepting a position at Royall & Company (now EAB).

July 2017: Announced Candidacy for U.S. House

In July 2017, Spanberger announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia's 7th congressional district in the 2018 election, running against incumbent Republican Dave Brat.

2017: Appointed to Virginia Fair Housing Board

In 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed Spanberger to the Virginia Fair Housing Board.

June 12, 2018: Won Democratic Primary Election

On June 12, 2018, Spanberger won the Democratic primary election with 73% of the vote, defeating Dan Ward and receiving more votes than any other candidate in the Virginia primaries that day.

September 23, 2019: Called for Impeachment Inquiry into Trump

On September 23, 2019, Spanberger joined other House Democrats in calling for an impeachment inquiry into President Trump, expressing concerns about the use of power and security assistance funds to influence a foreign election. They wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post.

2019: U.S. Representative

In 2019, Abigail Spanberger began her service as the U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district.

2019: Voted in favor of the Equality Act

In 2019, Spanberger voted in favor of the Equality Act.

2019: Voting record on immigration and budget

In 2019, Spanberger voted to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be notified when undocumented immigrants attempt to purchase firearms. She also voted against the House budget because it failed to acknowledge the growing national debt.

2019: Climate Change Advocacy

In 2019, during a Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting, Spanberger asked the Trump administration to reverse its isolationist policies regarding climate change, stating that it is in the U.S.'s national interest to reinforce its stature as a global leader on international environmental and energy issues.

January 2020: Sponsorship of Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act

In January 2020, Abigail Spanberger sponsored the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which passed the House unanimously, requiring pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to publicize rebates, discounts, and price concessions. She also co-sponsored the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, granting Medicare Part D the power to negotiate prescription prices with drug companies.

November 2020: Led Bipartisan Effort to Secure 340B Drug Pricing Program

In November 2020, Spanberger led a bipartisan effort to secure the 340B Drug Pricing Program against changes that would lead to significant increases in prescription medication costs.

2020: Re-election to U.S. House

Abigail Spanberger won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020.

2022: Re-election to U.S. House

Abigail Spanberger won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022.

2022: Re-election in new district

In 2022, Spanberger ran for reelection in the newly redrawn district, defeating Republican Yesli Vega.

2022: Voted for the Respect For Marriage Act

In 2022, Spanberger voted in favor of the Respect For Marriage Act.

January 31, 2023: Vote on Freedom for Health Care Workers Act

On January 31, 2023, Spanberger was among seven Democrats who voted for H.R.497, known as the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill designed to lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.

February 1, 2023: Vote to end COVID-19 national emergency

On February 1, 2023, Spanberger was among twelve Democrats who voted in favor of a resolution aimed at ending the COVID-19 national emergency.

February 2023: Introduced Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act

In February 2023, Spanberger, along with other representatives, introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act, which aims to share federal offshore wind power revenue with states for coastal protection and restoration work.

February 2023: Advocated for F-16 Fighter Jets for Ukraine

In February 2023, during the Russo–Ukrainian War, Spanberger signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

November 2023: Declared Candidacy for Governor

In November 2023, Spanberger declared her candidacy for governor of Virginia in the 2025 election.

2023: Vote against overturning DC criminal code revision

In 2023, Spanberger voted against overturning the District of Columbia's revision of its criminal code, which reduced the maximum penalties for crimes such as burglary, carjacking, and robbery.