🚨 Loading... Read More

The Hill • April 17, 2026 13:00

Only months in, Spanberger and Democrats are losing their shine

Political Leaning Analysis

Left Center Right

Score: 0.00 • Center / Neutral

It could not come at a worse time, as she is also the face of a highly partisan redistricting attempt by Democrats in the state.

Story Timeline

Wed 19:52 - Fox News

‘Virginia father’ charged with murdering infant daughter is illegal alien, says DHS

Fri 09:06 - Washington Post

Poll shows mixed signs for Democratic push to gain seats in Congress

Fri 11:00 - Washington Examiner

‘Local independent’ outlet in Virginia pushing redistricting is owned by Democratic operatives

Sat 13:00 - Fox News

Child of Chinese illegal immigrants charged with planting explosive at US military base

Sat 13:52 - Washington Examiner

Former Virginia governor blasts Spanberger over redistricting debate refusal

Sat 15:06 - The Hill

Narrow majority in Virginia backs redistricting to favor Democrats: Poll

Sun 01:18 - Fox News

DHS slams Democrat Sen Chris Van Hollen claim, says illegal alien caused crash while fleeing ICE

Mon 09:00 - Washington Post

Virginians deeply divided on Spanberger months after her landslide win

Mon 09:00 - Fox News

Primary pause, political firestorm: High-stakes elections this month take center stage

Mon 16:44 - Washington Examiner

Spanberger support craters in new poll: ‘A bot for the Democratic Party’

Tue 00:03 - Fox News

New poll reveals Spanberger's popularity is plummeting amid backlash over gerrymandering

Tue 00:47 - Washington Examiner

Youngkin says he has ‘more to give’ after leaving Virginia governor’s mansion

Tue 10:00 - The Hill

Rahm Emanuel makes case for change to a divided Democratic Party

Tue 16:55 - Washington Examiner

Abigail Spanberger's terrible gamble

Tue 20:09 - Fox News

Spanberger dodges questions on whether she would reverse sanctuary policy as DHS turns up heat

Wed 14:51 - Fox News

Biden ally tells Spanberger to exit ‘bunker’ as ex-gov renews debate push

Thu 09:00 - Fox News

VA Dem rejects ‘power grab’ claims on Spanberger redistricting as GOP warns 10–1 map would split rural vote

Thu 10:30 - Fox News

Spanberger ripped after taking credit for billions in investments secured under GOP predecessor: 'Pathetic'

Thu 13:53 - Fox News

Homan warns Spanberger blocking access to Virginia jails could force more ICE street operations: 'Do the job'

Thu 19:44 - Fox News

Republicans target Spanberger as ‘Governor Bait and Switch’ in bid to defeat Dems redistricting push

Thu 19:49 - Fox News

RNC takes Virginia to court, blasts ‘nonresident voting’ loophole in election fight

Thu 21:05 - Fox News

Spanberger breaks silence on ‘sanctuary’ claims as ICE clashes heat up

Fri 11:00 - Washington Examiner

Spanberger and Democrats spend big on ‘naked quest for power’ in Virginia redistricting

Fri 19:01 - Washington Post

Salvadoran teen convicted of assault for groping girls at Virginia high school

Fri 21:28 - Washington Examiner

Fairfax County, Virginia, officials will testify before Congress on ‘mortifying’ sanctuary policies

Sat 00:29 - Washington Examiner

Spanberger touts Youngkin-era investments in Virginia as state enters economic decline

Sat 12:00 - Washington Examiner

Fairfax County schools retain copious cultural observance days out of ‘diversity’ concerns

Sat 14:52 - The Hill

Trump says Virginia 'has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength' under Spanberger

Sat 16:03 - Fox News

Trump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California

Sat 21:00 - The Hill

Virginia redistricting battle enters home stretch

Sun 20:10 - Washington Examiner

DOJ fires warning shot as Spanberger signs gun legislation

Mon 15:29 - Washington Examiner

‘Voter’s remorse’: Illegal immigration crime, gerrymandering, and tax hikes in Spanberger’s Virginia

Mon 18:50 - Fox News

WATCH: Spanberger knocked for ‘bait and switch’ hypocrisy as popularity plummets amid redistricting fiasco

Tue 11:00 - Washington Examiner

Mike Johnson raises $500,000 to fight Spanberger’s gerrymandering push in Virginia

Tue 11:00 - Washington Post

Ex-Pence aide Olivia Troye plans to run for Congress in Virginia as a Democrat

Tue 12:34 - NPR

Virginia joins a national effort to ensure only popular vote winners become president

Tue 16:18 - Fox News

Mike Johnson says he supports expelling Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over dozens of ethics violations

Tue 16:55 - Washington Examiner

Mike Johnson pushes clean spy law extension as privacy concerns divide Congress

Tue 20:32 - Fox News

Spanberger's 'unconstitutional' push to redefine presidential elections makes voters 'NULL AND VOID': critics

Tue 21:00 - NYT Europe

King Charles III and Queen Camilla Will Visit D.C., New York and Virginia

Tue 23:18 - The Hill

Spanberger signs bill ending tax breaks for Confederate groups

Wed 09:00 - Washington Post

Spanberger counters false GOP claims of tax hikes: ‘A desperate tactic’

Wed 11:31 - Fox News

Spanberger signs gun bills, makes a proposed gun ban even harsher

Wed 12:30 - Washington Examiner

Inside Scoop: Can Democrats find religion? Ungovernable unions, Spanberger struggles

Wed 12:59 - Washington Examiner

Philip Harding announces run as Republican for Abigail Spanberger’s old congressional seat

Wed 21:59 - Fox News

Spanberger receives DHS plea to hold illegal immigrant repeat offender now charged in attempted rape

Thu 09:00 - Fox News

House showdown: Democrat backed by Sanders, AOC faces Republican trying to flip blue-leaning district

Thu 09:00 - Washington Post

Largely secret donors pour millions into election that could tip Congress

Thu 09:00 - Fox News

Virginia congressman says Spanberger wants to 'turn us into New England'

Thu 10:30 - Fox News

Economist warns thousands of Virginia jobs at risk after minimum wage hike signed by Spanberger

Thu 16:08 - Fox News

House rejects Democrat attempt to limit Trump's Iran war powers

Thu 16:35 - Washington Examiner

DeSantis delays Florida redistricting session until after Virginia map referendum

Thu 22:01 - NPR

Voters in Virginia could have one of the final words in Trump's redistricting fight

Fri 00:05 - Washington Examiner

Democrats turn on Spanberger over plummeting popularity amid redistricting battle

Fri 10:58 - The Hill

Redistricting fight heads to grand finale in Virginia, Florida

Fri 11:00 - Washington Examiner

Conservative Virginia’s last stand against DC suburbs in redistricting referendum

Fri 13:00 - The Hill

Only months in, Spanberger and Democrats are losing their shine

Different Perspectives

Fox News

23 articles

▼

16:08

House rejects Democrat attempt to limit Trump's Iran war powers

House Republicans blocked Democrats' war powers resolution aimed at halting the U.S. military campaign against Iran as Trump said the conflict is nearly over.

10:30

Economist warns thousands of Virginia jobs at risk after minimum wage hike signed by Spanberger

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a $15 minimum wage into law, but an economist warns the mandate will force businesses to cut jobs and raise prices.

09:00

Virginia congressman says Spanberger wants to 'turn us into New England'

Rep. Ben Cline pushed back on a Democrat-backed redistricting plan in Virginia, warning it could weaken rural voting power and reshape the state’s congressional delegation.

09:00

House showdown: Democrat backed by Sanders, AOC faces Republican trying to flip blue-leaning district

Republican Joe Hathaway aims to flip a blue-leaning New Jersey House seat in a special election against progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia on Thursday.

21:59

Spanberger receives DHS plea to hold illegal immigrant repeat offender now charged in attempted rape

DHS has called on Gov. Abigail Spanberger not to release an illegal immigrant charged with attempted rape in Arlington amid northern Virginia crime concerns.

11:31

Spanberger signs gun bills, makes a proposed gun ban even harsher

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed gun control bills and toughened an assault weapon ban, drawing DOJ threats of litigation and Republican backlash.

20:32

Spanberger's 'unconstitutional' push to redefine presidential elections makes voters 'NULL AND VOID': critics

Virginia joins the national popular vote compact as Gov. Spanberger signs bill awarding electoral votes to the national popular vote winner.

16:18

Mike Johnson says he supports expelling Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over dozens of ethics violations

Speaker Mike Johnson said he supports expelling Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick after an ethics panel found her guilty of more than two dozen violations.

18:50

WATCH: Spanberger knocked for ‘bait and switch’ hypocrisy as popularity plummets amid redistricting fiasco

Critics accuse Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger of a "bait and switch" on voters, saying she traded affordability promises for liberal tax increases.

16:03

Trump blasts Spanberger ahead of Virginia meetings, says state faces tax base exodus like New York, California

President Donald Trump blasts Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger over taxes, warning her policies could drive people and companies out like what's happening in New York and California.

21:05

Spanberger breaks silence on ‘sanctuary’ claims as ICE clashes heat up

Gov. Abigail Spanberger pushes back on critics, claiming Virginia is not a sanctuary state and dismissing a poll showing her lowest favorability as governor.

19:49

RNC takes Virginia to court, blasts ‘nonresident voting’ loophole in election fight

The RNC is suing Virginia, alleging the state accepts election ballots from people who have never lived there, violating its own constitution.

19:44

Republicans target Spanberger as ‘Governor Bait and Switch’ in bid to defeat Dems redistricting push

Jason Miyares charges Gov. Spanberger lied about redistricting plans as he leads GOP efforts to defeat Virginia's gerrymandering ballot referendum.

13:53

Homan warns Spanberger blocking access to Virginia jails could force more ICE street operations: 'Do the job'

Border Czar Tom Homan blasts Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger over sanctuary policies, threatens to send more ICE teams into streets to enforce the law if necessary.

10:30

Spanberger ripped after taking credit for billions in investments secured under GOP predecessor: 'Pathetic'

Virginia Dem Governor Abigail Spanberger touted $7.1 billion in investment and 3,250 new jobs this week, but the investments were actually announced under her GOP predecessor.

09:00

VA Dem rejects ‘power grab’ claims on Spanberger redistricting as GOP warns 10–1 map would split rural vote

A Virginia Democrat rejects power grab claims over Gov. Spanberger's redistricting push as Republicans warn the proposed 10-1 map splits rural voters.

14:51

Biden ally tells Spanberger to exit ‘bunker’ as ex-gov renews debate push

Former Biden aide says Virginia Gov. Spanberger squandered goodwill by ducking criticism, as ex-Gov. Allen renews his push for a redistricting debate.

20:09

Spanberger dodges questions on whether she would reverse sanctuary policy as DHS turns up heat

The Department of Homeland Security urged Gov. Abigail Spanberger to reverse sanctuary policies as illegal aliens are charged in multiple Fairfax County murders so far in 2026.

00:03

New poll reveals Spanberger's popularity is plummeting amid backlash over gerrymandering

Gov. Abigail Spanberger battles record unpopularity in Virginia with 46% disapproval, the lowest rating for a governor since 1994, a new poll is showing.

09:00

Primary pause, political firestorm: High-stakes elections this month take center stage

Four April elections — two House special elections, a Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and Virginia's redistricting referendum — could reshape the razor-thin House majority.

01:18

DHS slams Democrat Sen Chris Van Hollen claim, says illegal alien caused crash while fleeing ICE

DHS pushes back on Sen. Van Hollen's claims about an asylum seeker, saying the man allegedly evaded ICE officers and caused a crash in Baltimore.

13:00

Child of Chinese illegal immigrants charged with planting explosive at US military base

DHS revealed that a suspect who fled to China after allegedly planting a deadly explosive device at an important military base is the child of two Chinese illegal immigrants.

19:52

‘Virginia father’ charged with murdering infant daughter is illegal alien, says DHS

A “Virginia father" charged with beating his infant daughter to death is an illegal immigrant let into the country under the Biden administration, according to DHS.

NPR

2 articles

▼

22:01

Voters in Virginia could have one of the final words in Trump's redistricting fight

Virginians will decide whether the state will redraw its congressional voting map. A win would give Democrats an edge in four more seats, meaning they could hold 10 of Virginia's …

12:34

Virginia joins a national effort to ensure only popular vote winners become president

With Virginia on board, the National Popular Vote Compact is now enacted in states worth 222 electoral votes. Here's what that means.

NYT Europe

1 article

▼

21:00

King Charles III and Queen Camilla Will Visit D.C., New York and Virginia

The planned four-day state visit comes at a fraught time in the U.S.-U.K. relationship, following President Trump’s frequent belittling of the British prime minister.

The Hill

6 articles

▼

10:58

Redistricting fight heads to grand finale in Virginia, Florida

Morning Report is The Hill’s a.m. newsletter. Subscribe here. In today’s issue: The months-long arms race between the states to squeeze out as many pickup opportunities for the midterm elections …

23:18

Spanberger signs bill ending tax breaks for Confederate groups

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Monday signed into law a bill eliminating tax exemptions for multiple organizations connected to the Confederacy. Democrats in the Virginia House and Senate passed …

21:00

Virginia redistricting battle enters home stretch

Democrats’ push to redistrict in Virginia is entering the home stretch as the party seeks to solidify an advantage in four more House districts ahead of the November midterms. Heavyweight …

14:52

Trump says Virginia 'has lost its Energy, Vitality, and Strength' under Spanberger

President Trump lashed out against Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) on Saturday, accusing the governor of wrecking the commonwealth’s economy and driving away businesses. The criticism on Truth Social came …

10:00

Rahm Emanuel makes case for change to a divided Democratic Party

Rahm Emanuel helped build the modern Democratic Party. Now he’s making the case that it isn’t working. In recent months, as he tests the waters for a 2028 presidential bid, …

15:06

Narrow majority in Virginia backs redistricting to favor Democrats: Poll

A slim majority of voters in Virginia support a redistricting effort that would give Democrats an advantage in November's elections, according to a new survey. The Washington Post-Schar School poll, …

Washington Examiner

18 articles

▼

11:00

Conservative Virginia’s last stand against DC suburbs in redistricting referendum

The stakes couldn’t be higher for national Republicans in next Tuesday’s Virginia redistricting referendum, but the conservative parts of the commonwealth may have even more riding on the outcome than …

00:05

Democrats turn on Spanberger over plummeting popularity amid redistricting battle

Virginia Democrats are turning on Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) as another poll shows her plummeting popularity is here to stay. Democratic representatives and political action committees are now beginning to …

16:35

DeSantis delays Florida redistricting session until after Virginia map referendum

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has pushed back the state’s redistricting special session to occur April 28 and May 1, moving it until after Virginia voters decide their own redistricting …

12:59

Philip Harding announces run as Republican for Abigail Spanberger’s old congressional seat

WOODBRIDGE, Virginia — Entrepreneur Philip Harding announced on Tuesday night that he will be running for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District as a Republican. This is the seat Gov. Abigail Spanberger …

12:30

Inside Scoop: Can Democrats find religion? Ungovernable unions, Spanberger struggles

Jim Antle, the magazine’s executive editor, brings to life the pages of the Washington Examiner magazine in the show Inside Scoop. Each episode features exclusive insight from the article authors …

16:55

Mike Johnson pushes clean spy law extension as privacy concerns divide Congress

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he will not allow amendments to a surveillance bill, arguing that any changes could derail its renewal ahead of a looming deadline.  …

11:00

Mike Johnson raises $500,000 to fight Spanberger’s gerrymandering push in Virginia

EXCLUSIVE — Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) raised half a million dollars last weekend to combat a ballot measure backed by Democrats that could reshape Virginia‘s congressional map. Johnson headlined a …

15:29

‘Voter’s remorse’: Illegal immigration crime, gerrymandering, and tax hikes in Spanberger’s Virginia

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) has the worst approval rating of any Virginia governor in decades only two months in office. This comes as several illegal immigrants have been charged with …

20:10

DOJ fires warning shot as Spanberger signs gun legislation

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent a letter to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) warning that the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will file a lawsuit if Spanberger signs any …

12:00

Fairfax County schools retain copious cultural observance days out of ‘diversity’ concerns

Fairfax County Public Schools approved scant changes to the academic calendar this week despite a growing movement among parents demanding that the northern Virginia school district cut down on its …

00:29

Spanberger touts Youngkin-era investments in Virginia as state enters economic decline

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is facing criticism after she took credit for billions of dollars in economic development deals that were previously secured by her Republican predecessor, former Gov. Glenn …

21:28

Fairfax County, Virginia, officials will testify before Congress on ‘mortifying’ sanctuary policies

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Virginia — Leaders in Fairfax County are set to be grilled in front of Congress for the Northern Virginia county’s policies on illegal immigration. The congressional hearing comes …

11:00

Spanberger and Democrats spend big on ‘naked quest for power’ in Virginia redistricting

Democrats have been outspending Republicans in the Virginia redistricting fight, and the difference is starting to show. Virginia registered voters overwhelmingly said they would vote ‘yes’ on implementing new maps …

16:55

Abigail Spanberger's terrible gamble

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) may be an intellectual lightweight with the charisma of a room-temperature cucumber, but that’s never stopped a politician from finding success as a nonthreatening centrist.  Many …

00:47

Youngkin says he has ‘more to give’ after leaving Virginia governor’s mansion

Former Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he has “more to give” after leaving office earlier this year, fueling speculation about his political future as Republicans look ahead to the …

16:44

Spanberger support craters in new poll: ‘A bot for the Democratic Party’

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is facing a divided electorate just two months into her term, according to a new Washington Post–Schar School poll, which shows 47% of voters approve of her …

13:52

Former Virginia governor blasts Spanberger over redistricting debate refusal

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) declined to debate former Gov. George Allen (R-VA) over Virginia Democrats’ redistricting push, leading Allen to publicly criticize Spanberger on Friday. As the Old Dominion gets …

11:00

‘Local independent’ outlet in Virginia pushing redistricting is owned by Democratic operatives

A purported local, nonpartisan news outlet that has been heavily pushing Virginia Democrats’ redistricting effort ahead of the referendum this month is owned and run by Democratic operatives based in …

Washington Post

6 articles

▼

09:00

Largely secret donors pour millions into election that could tip Congress

The vast majority of the nearly $100 million raised to sway Virginia’s redistricting battle, mostly on the Democratic side, consists of untraceable dark money.

09:00

Spanberger counters false GOP claims of tax hikes: ‘A desperate tactic’

Republicans keep criticizing Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger over proposed tax increases by Democratic legislators that never passed and that she never endorsed.

11:00

Ex-Pence aide Olivia Troye plans to run for Congress in Virginia as a Democrat

She joins other former Republicans and Trump administration officials running for office as critics of the president. The district would open up if voters approve a new map.

19:01

Salvadoran teen convicted of assault for groping girls at Virginia high school

A Fairfax High School administrative assistant testified in court that Israel Flores Ortiz, an 18-year-old junior at the school, admitted to the allegations.

09:00

Virginians deeply divided on Spanberger months after her landslide win

A Washington Post-Schar School poll finds that Virginia voters are highly polarized over Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who ran as a unifying centrist.

09:06

Poll shows mixed signs for Democratic push to gain seats in Congress

A slight majority of Virginia voters supports giving Democrats a temporary edge in congressional maps, but opponents are more motivated in new Post-Schar School poll.