Virginia’s Democratic Governor, Abigail Spanberger, took credit for billions in economic achievements secured under her GOP predecessor, earning her backlash from Republican leaders and their representatives running the state before she got there.Â
Spanberger touted signing legislation that authorized four separate investments from the aerospace, energy, and pharmaceutical industries earlier this week. The investments, according to a press release from Spanberger’s office, would welcome 3,250 new jobs and $7.1 billion in business investment to the state.Â
“From my very first day in office, I have been working to create a stable business environment so companies can hire, expand, and continue to invest in our Commonwealth,” Spanberger said in her press release. “I am signing these bills into law so we can continue to grow Virginias economy and create opportunities for Virginians.”
However, Spanberger’s signature was effectively just a formality, as the deals she touted were part of Youngkin’s broader push to spur as governor of Virginia, which included a record of $156 billion in total CEO commitments during his term. As he was exiting office, the former GOP governor garnered more than the previous six gubernatorial administrations combined, Â according to a press release from Youngkin’s team.
“She’s trying to take credit for somebody else’s work,” former Virginia Attorney General told Fox News Digital. “In grade school we call that cheating.”
“The last three months have been nothing but horrible news for Virginians as broke every single promise she made on the campaign trail and now has the lowest approval rating of any Virginia governor this century,” added Youngkin spokesperson Justin Discigil. “Governor Youngkin is happy that Virginians are being reminded of some good news, even if it means Gov. Spanberger taking credit for the economic deals he secured for the Commonwealth.”
Spanberger did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment on the matter.Â
The four bills she signed, which with her signature authorized the awards, were announced during Youngkin’s term Â
The first, HB 1531, allocates $537 million to aerospace company Avio USA and is expected to create over 1,500 jobs. The award, according to public reports at the time, was announced in December 2025. The next bill, HB 799, will allocate $457 million and is expected to create over 825 jobs. This award was announced by Youngkin in September 2025. HB 800, allocating over $2 billion to pharmacuetical manufacturer Eli Lilly and expected to create more than 450 jobs to manufacture the active ingredient in major cancer, autoimmune and other advanced drugs, was announced in September 2025 as well. Meanwhile, rounding out the handful of investments touted by Spanberger this week was HB 1076, which invested $4 billion into pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and is expected to create around 500 jobs. That commitment was announced in October 2025.
“Attracting new businesses and jobs to Virginia is a core focus of my administration â and Im proud of the hundreds of millions of dollars in investment we have already announced this year,” Spanberger continued in her press release this week announcing the Virginia investments. “I look forward to continuing to work with legislators, local communities, and business leaders as we make clear that Virginia is the top state in the nation to grow or start a business.”
In a background section of the press release, the announcement continues touting Spanberger’s commitment to growing Virginia’s economy.
“My simple message for Abigail Spanberger is, to quote Elizabeth Warren, You didnt build that!” Sean Kennedy, president of Virginians for Safe Communities, said. “Spanberger has to take credit for her Republican predecessors accomplishments bringing jobs because her policies are actually raising taxes, killing jobs, and hiking energy costs. Spanberger has t
