Democracy Dies in Darkness

Four centuries in, Virginia could be on track for its first female governor

The anticipated matchup between Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears would be a first for Virginia and the nation’s 11th woman vs. woman contest for governor.

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Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Virginia) are running for governor next year. (Kristen Zeis for The Washington Post; Robb Hill for The Washington Post)
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RICHMOND — All 74 of Virginia’s elected governors have had one thing in common, be they slave-owner or civil rights champion, farmer or global business titan, Pat Robertson pal or man about town.

From Patrick Henry to Glenn Youngkin, each one has been a man. The same goes for the colonial governors before them.