Abigail Spanberger sworn in as Virginia's first woman governor

Abigail Spanberger was sworn in at the Virginia state Capitol as the state's first female governor and signed 10 executive orders, including one that rescinds a directive asking state officers to assist with immigration enforcement.

Abigail Spanberger was sworn in Saturday at the Virginia state Capitol as the commonwealth's first female governor. The ceremony took place amid a cold drizzle and followed her election victory over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger succeeds Gov. Glenn Youngkin and addressed concerns she cited about federal policies affecting state services and health care. Her inauguration occurred as Democrats assume statewide leadership while a Republican holds the U.S. presidency. Key details: - Spanberger became Virginia's 75th governor and the first woman to hold the post since the commonwealth was established in 1776. - She signed 10 executive orders after the ceremony, including one that rescinds a Youngkin directive asking state law enforcement and corrections officers to assist with federal immigration enforcement. - Ghazala F. Hashmi was sworn in as lieutenant governor and is reported as the first Muslim woman to hold statewide office in the U.S.; she placed her hand on a Quran during the oath. - Jay Jones was sworn in as attorney general and is reported as Virginia's first Black attorney general. - Spanberger wore all white at the inauguration, a gesture noted as a possible tribute to the women's suffrage movement, and several prominent Democrats attended, including former Gov. Douglas Wilder. Summary: Spanberger's inauguration marks a historical milestone for Virginia and a change in the state's leadership. State Democrats have said they will work with her on priorities that include redrawing the state's congressional map ahead of the midterm elections.