Spanberger’s fall from grace wasn’t ‘stunning’ — it was predictable

Political observers are calling Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s abrupt early drop in approval ratings “stunning.” They shouldn’t, because it isn’t.

For many Virginians — especially those of us who supported her candidacy in good faith — this moment feels less like a surprise and more like a confirmation.

Spanberger ran as a pragmatic, bipartisan problem-solver. She positioned herself as someone who would rise above party squabbles, focus on affordability, and restore a sense of steady, principled leadership in Richmond. That message resonated and caused her decisive win. 

And that is precisely why her early governing approach has been so disappointing.

Rather than govern as the centrist she promised to be, Spanberger has taken a noticeably partisan turn. Early executive actions and policy priorities have leaned heavily into national Democratic Party priorities, not the kitchen-table concerns that defined her campaign. For voters who expected balance and independence, this shift has eroded trust, which is hard to regain once lost.

Policy disagreements alone don’t explain the drop in approval. There’s a deeper issue at play: credibility.

During the campaign, I was among Spanberger’s strongest supporters and financial backers. Like........

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