Virginia Gets First Female Governor: Abigail Spanberger

The first big race on Tuesday's ballot has been called: Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governor's race in Virginia and will become the first woman to hold the seat, reports the AP. The former congresswoman defeated Winsome Earle-Sears, the current GOP lieutenant governor, with the AP calling the race about an hour after polls closed at 7. Spanberger had a comfortable lead in the polls heading into Election Day following a campaign that put a focus on the Trump administration's mass federal layoffs—a big issue in the state.

Spanberger also sought to link her opponent to President Trump in a flurry of campaign ads. Earle-Sears is indeed a Trump supporter, though the president never specifically endorsed her campaign. The lieutenant governor made immigration and transgender issues a big focus of her campaign, notes CBS News. Spanberger will replace Republican Glenn Youngkin, who was barred by term limits from running again.