Abigail Spanberger Pledges ‘Pragmatism’ — And Felon Voting Rights

Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic governor-elect of Virginia, says she’ll govern as a pragmatic moderate — while pursuing a $15 minimum wage, constitutional protections for same-sex marriage and voting rights for felons.

Spanberger outlined her agenda in a Washington Post interview Monday, describing her approach as focused on “harder choices” and “understanding your mandate” after her 15-point victory in November. With Democrats holding expanded control of the state legislature, Spanberger plans to advance several progressive priorities when she takes office in January. (RELATED: Appeals Court Makes Decision On Alina Habba’s Appointment)

The agenda proposed by current Democratic legislative leaders and backed by Spanberger would echo the last period of unified Democratic control in 2020 and 2021, when the party abolished the death penalty, legalized recreational marijuana and passed legislation to reduce fossil fuel usage.

The felon voting rights proposal has been a Democratic priority for over a year. Virginia Democrats have pushed a constitutional amendment since November 2023 that would automatically restore voting rights to felons who complete their sentences.

“The Constitution says that these are inalienable rights, and ‘inalienable’ means that you can’t take them away,” Democratic House Speaker Don Scott told WHRO in January. “We believe that voting is one of those, and so we want to do a constitutional amendment for the restoration of rights for those people who have paid their debt to society.”

Under current law, only the governor or “other appropriate authority” can restore voting rights. The amendment would make restoration automatic and must be approved by voters, the outlet reported.

Democrats also plan to focus the upcoming legislative session — which begins days before Spanberger’s Jan. 17 inauguration — on lower costs for groceries and school supplies, the Post reported. While lawmakers lack direct control over prices, Spanberger said they can “put downward pressure” on the state’s economy.

Spanberger, who campaigned on “pragmatism over partisanship,” said she plans to work with Republicans, though she said she hasn’t spoken with President Donald Trump since the election.

“I pushed back on the administration, and I engaged with the administration when it mattered for the people of my district, and my posture will be the same as governor,” she said.

She said “there does not appear to be a need” for a tax increase but warned that “there will be people along the line that may not see the funding for their priorities” as SNAP and Medicaid benefits consume the state’s surplus.

Spanberger also addressed comments by Virginia Attorney General-elect Jay Jones, who previously said a political rival deserves “two bullets to the head” and that he and his wife were “breeding little fascists.”

While denouncing the language, Spanberger said “it’s clear that people in Virginia want to see him do good work,” though she acknowledged Jones’ remarks may still dog him given the current “partisan and political landscape.”

“My work over the next few months will be to ensure that anybody who’s watching, whether they’re, you know, in any corner of our commonwealth or across the country, sees that we’re delivering.”

Spanberger’s transition team did not respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.