Spanberger sworn in as Virginia’s first woman governor

Under cloudy skies at the Virginia State Capitol, Abigail Davis Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor just after noon Saturday, becoming the first woman to hold the commonwealth’s top elected office.

Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi and Attorney General Jay Jones also made history as the state’s first Muslim statewide office holder and Virginia’s first Black attorney general.

All Democrats, the three officials take office at a challenging time for the nation and the commonwealth, when federal workforce layoffs and funding cuts have taken significant tolls. Spanberger’s campaign centered on affordability, protecting and creating jobs in Virginia, and strengthening the state’s education system, among other goals.

Saturday’s inaugural ceremony, held in front of the historic Virginia State Capitol designed by Thomas Jefferson, included the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Girl Scouts of Virginia, a performance of the song “Shenandoah” by the Hermitage High School Select Treble & Chamber Singers, and an invocation by Father Jim Curran of Norfolk’s Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

Spanberger was sworn in by Supreme Court of Virginia Senior Justice William C. Mims. She is scheduled to give her inaugural address following the Virginia National Guard’s salute.

This story is breaking news and will be updated.