Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger is facing an early political reality check.
Less than three months into office, Spanberger’s job approval stands nearly split — with 47% approving and 46% disapproving — according to a new poll, marking one of the weakest early showings for a Virginia governor in decades.
Compared to her predecessors, the numbers stand out.
Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin posted a 54-39 approval at the same point in his term, while earlier governors — from both parties — generally enjoyed stronger early support.
That includes Democrat Mark Warner, who recorded a 78-20 rating, and Sen. Tim Kaine, who stood at 62-31. Republican governors Jim Gilmore and Bob McDonnell also posted higher early approval marks, alongside Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam.
The contrast is striking, given how Spanberger entered office.
She defeated then-Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears by 15 points in November, helping Democrats sweep statewide offices, with Ghazala Hashmi and Jay Jones also winning.
But early polling suggests that electoral momentum has not fully translated into durable approval.
Mark Rozell, a co-sponsor of the poll from George Mason University, said some level of polarization is expected — but called the early numbers “unusual” for a governor who campaigned on a centrist image.
The poll also lands amid renewed scrutiny of Spanberger’s positions.
Critics have pointed to her past opposition to gerrymandering, resurfacing a 2019 statement in which she said, “Gerrymandering is detrimental to our democracy and it weakens the individual voices that form our electorates. Opposing gerrymandering should be a bipartisan priority.”
That message is now being used against her in debates over redistricting policy, underscoring how quickly campaign rhetoric can return in governing fights.
Watch the clip below:
WATCH: Just months into her term, Virginia Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger has seen her approval rating plummet as she works to impose her far-left policies in the Commonwealth:@DanaPerino: “New polls show a favorability of 47%; so that’s way below her Republican… pic.twitter.com/guGdUp7pJz
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) April 7, 2026
