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Abigail Spanberger’s November 4 gubernatorial victory marked a historic point for Virginia politics, and experts at the Virginia Public Access Project’s annual “After Virginia Votes” forum gathered to unpack why and what her win means for the state’s future.
Held in collaboration with George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, the mid-November event brought together some of the state’s elite strategists and scholars for an evening of informed analysis.
The event was moderated by NBC4-Washington Northern Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey, a highly regarded journalist whose questions guided the briskly moving discussions.
The first panel included Samson Signori, Spanberger’s campaign manager, and Scott Weldon, founder of Carnitine Strategies and lead consultant to GOP candidate Winsome Earle-Sears. Both offered seasoned strategic insight and concurred that the 2025 election was framed by concerns over the cost of living and access to health care.
Weldon gave a candid evaluation of the setbacks facing the Republican ticket: “I think all of that kind of coalesced behind also a kind of a weak candidate in Winsome and kind of a poorly run campaign to give them the victory that we saw last week," placing his comments in a broader context of analysis of campaign operations.
Signori emphasized the strengths of Spanberger’s messaging and the steadiness that resonated with voters statewide.
“[Voters] saw a candidate who was steady, who was steadfast, and who was laser-focused on the issues which matter most to the voters, lowering costs, boosting the economy, keeping our community safe," he said.
Despite coming from different political perspectives, both panelists agreed that the Republican ticket was not well-positioned against the Democratic slate. Both pointed out Virginia continues to lean blue.
The second panel brought together Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell and political analyst Bob Holsworth, managing partner at DecideSmart. Similar to the first panel, the speakers examined the broader electoral environment and the forces that shaped this year’s outcomes.
Rozell pointed to several factors that aligned against the Republican ticket, emphasizing that political dynamics are fluid. “Virginia can flip red, under the right circumstances,” he said.
Addressing a question about the ongoing federal investigations involving George Mason’s previous diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, Holsworth noted the early decisions facing the incoming administration regarding higher education governance in the state.
"[Spanberger] needs to make a decision about what is going on with the Board of Visitors," he said. He also underscored the role of the attorney general, adding, “It is not Spanberger's job, it's Jay Jones’s job to stand up to Trump."
Democrats will hold a 64–36 majority in the House of Delegates in January, a fact Rozell used to drive his point home: “There is no path legislatively for Republicans to get things done.”
The “After Virginia Votes” event underscores the Schar School’s role as a leading center for nonpartisan political analysis, offering students valuable insight into Virginia’s changing political landscape. The live stream of the event can be viewedhere.