Abigail Spanberger’s beliefs: Her views on abortion, gun control, and Israel

Abigail Spanberger won Virginia’s governor race with 55% of the vote, becoming the state’s first female governor and a major victory for Democrats.

Hours after polls closed in Virginia to elect the state's new governor, the Democrat candidate, former US House Representative Abigail Spanberger was declared the winner by the Associated Press. With 55% of the vote, Spanberger is the first female governor of the state.

Abigail Spanberger, the new Democratic governor of Virginia.(Bloomberg)

Spanberger, 46, hails from the Richmond, Virginia and will be the first from that area to the state's top office. Her victory would be a significant boost for Democrats, as many viewed the gubernatorial election as a possibility for GOP making further inroads into the state, from what Donald Trump already made in the 2024 US election.

However, that did not come to pass, as the state, known as a Democrat stronghold, casted only 45% of the vote for the Republican candidate, Winsome Earle-Sear.

Here, we'll take a look at where Abigail Spanberger stands on a range of issues - from gun control to abortion and Israel.

Abigail Spanberger Beliefs

Her Views On Gun Control

Earlier in April 2025, having declared her candidature for the Governor of Virginia, Abigail Spanberger made the clearest statement in favor of gun control. Speaking at a gathering after a shooting that killed two in April, Spanberger said that she will sign a bill on gun control that was earlier vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

“I will sign legislation into law to make progress on these issues to keep Virginia families safe,” she had said. “I will not veto common-sense proposals like our current governor has done. I am totally on the record.”

Her Views On Reproductive Freedom

Abigail Spanberger's views on reproductive freedom have been best captured in her campaign pitch. She has vowed in her campaign website that she will continue the reproductive freedom for women that currently exists in the state of Virginia. Notably, Virginia is the only state where reproductive rights are still enshrined, even after the Dobbs decision overturning Roe vs Wade.

Her campaign website states: "Abigail believes Virginians deserve a Governor who will defend our fundamental rights. As the next Governor of Virginia, Abigail will defend the right to contraception, the right to choose, and the right to access in vitro fertilization (IVF)."

Her Views On Israel

Abigail Spanberger has faced allegations of anti-Semitism throughout the campaign trail, which has brought her views on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in sharp focus. Notably, Spanberger has advocated for aid reaching the people of Gaza amid the conflict, the release of hostages, and the need for a ceasefire.

Recently, when state house delegate Sam Rasoul's comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict sparked a controversy, she defended him.

“Those who have lost family members, friends, or their own sense of safety — because of the October 7, 2023 attacks and resulting war in Gaza — feel the pain of the ongoing conflict viscerally,” she told local news website, Virginia Scope.

“I know that this is the reality for many American Jews with a connection to Israel and many Palestinian Americans. One can and must denounce these tragedies without using antisemitic language, whether intentional or not.”