History of Abigail Spanberger in Timeline

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

1948: Biden first Democrat to win district since 1948

Joe Biden is the first Democrat to win what is now Virginia's 7th congressional district since 1948. This was a boost for Spanberger in her reelection.

1970: John Marsh retired

In 1970, four-term Democrat John Marsh retired and was succeeded by Republican J. Kenneth Robinson. Some sources claim that Spanberger was the first Democrat to win this seat since Marsh's retirement.

August 7, 1979: Abigail Spanberger Born

On August 7, 1979, Abigail Anne Davis Spanberger was born. She later became a politician and U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district.

Others born on this day/year

1981: 3rd District in Republican hands

In 1981, the 3rd district was in Republican hands. This district is geographically and demographically the predecessor to what is now the 7th district.

1993: 7th District boundaries

Until 1993, the 7th congressional district stretched from the outer Washington suburbs through the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville to the outer Richmond suburbs. The present 7th is geographically and demographically the successor to what was the 3rd district before 1993.

2001: Eric Cantor represented the 3rd district

From 2001, Eric Cantor represented the 3rd district until Dave Brat ousted him in the 2014 Republican primary. This district is geographically and demographically the predecessor to what is now the 7th district.

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: Family move to Henrico County

In 2014, Abigail Spanberger, her husband Adam Spanberger, and their three daughters moved back to Henrico County, settling in Glen Allen, Virginia.

2014: Brat ousted Cantor

In 2014, Dave Brat ousted Eric Cantor in the Republican primary for the 3rd congressional district. This district is geographically and demographically the predecessor to what is now the 7th district.

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).

2016: Trump victory

In 2016, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 50% of the vote to her 44% in Spanberger's congressional district.

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: Criticized Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In 2017, Spanberger criticized the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act supported by President Donald Trump, arguing that its permanent tax cuts for corporations would increase the national debt.

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: Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election

In 2019, Spanberger voted for U.S. representative Cheri Bustos instead of Nancy Pelosi in the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election.

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.

May 2020: Voted Against HEROES Act

In May 2020, Spanberger voted against the HEROES Act, a proposed $3 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the bill went "far beyond" pandemic relief.

June 1, 2020: Criticized Trump's Reaction to George Floyd Protests

On June 1, 2020, Spanberger criticized Trump's reaction to the George Floyd protests, comparing his actions to those of totalitarian dictators. This followed a series of protests against police brutality that began in Minneapolis on May 26.

November 2020: Reducing the Cost of Prescription Drugs

In November 2020, Spanberger described reducing the cost of prescription drugs as "the top priority of families in [her] district".

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.

2020: Redistricting

After the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, Spanberger's district was radically redrawn, and no longer included her home in Henrico County.

2020: Criticized Democratic Party's Strategy

In November 2020, days after winning reelection, Spanberger criticized the Democratic Party's strategy for the 2020 elections, citing Republican attack ads focused on "socialism" and "defund the police" as reasons for the party's loss of seats in swing districts.

November 2021: Criticized Biden After Virginia Election

In a November 2021 interview with the New York Times, Spanberger criticized President Biden after the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, stating that he was not elected to be "F.D.R." and that the Democrats had not recognized that "inflation is a problem".

2022: Re-election to U.S. House

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

2022: Future elections

In 2022, Chris Cillizza described Spanberger's remarks as "some hard truth" for the Democratic Party and that the party should listen to Spanberger in order to succeed in future elections.

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.

2024: Future elections

In 2022, Chris Cillizza described Spanberger's remarks as "some hard truth" for the Democratic Party and that the party should listen to Spanberger in order to succeed in future elections.

April 2025: Secured Nomination for Governor

In April 2025, Spanberger secured the Democratic nomination for governor of Virginia in the upcoming election.

May 2025: Spanberger will not sign bill to fully repeal Virginia's Right-to-work law

In May 2025, Spanberger stated she would not sign a bill that would fully repeal Virginia's Right-to-work law if elected state governor.

2025: Democratic Nominee for Governor

In 2025, Abigail Spanberger became the Democratic nominee for governor in the Virginia gubernatorial election.

2025: Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign

In 2025, Spanberger received an endorsement from the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group.

2025: Supports same-sex marriage

In 2025, Spanberger stated that she supports same-sex marriage.

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