RICHMOND, Va. β Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin hosted Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and her husband, Adam, for lunch at the Executive Mansion on Thursday.
"In the great tradition of the Commonwealth of Virginia, we go through a transition every four years, and as part of that transition, we have the opportunity to have lunch together, and we had a lovely lunch," Youngkin said as they couples emerged from the Governor's mansion. "One of the wonderful expectations is that the Governor's Residence is, in fact, a family home, and that's part of the real excitement, I think that Suzanne and I have had with our family, and I know that the governor elect is has with her family."
Spanberger said she appreciated the her time with the Youngkins.
"We discussed a whole variety of issues, but yes, the challenges that any new governor has in you know, with a with a one-term governorship, there's always change every four years, and I think certainly it's wonderful to have a proceeding governor who is committed to making sure that some of those things you didn't even know to ask questions are answered," she said. "And so First Lady Youngkin has been very clear on that front as well, particularly as it relates to the adjustment for our family."
Spanberger defeated Youngkin's lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, to give Democrats a key victory heading into the 2026 midterm elections and make history as the first woman ever to lead the commonwealth.
Youngkin addressed Virginia the morning after the election.
"This is a great country. The greatest thing about the United States of America is it is a constitutional republic and as a constitutional republic, the people elect their leaders," Youngkin said. "Four years ago, I had the great privilege of being elected. It's one of the great honors that anyone can possibly be bestowed with, being elected by their citizens in order to serve them, and I know that Governor-elect Spanberger feels the exact same way today."
He said Spanberger can expect his support as his term comes to an end.
Watch: Governor Youngkin and Governor-elect Spanberger meet for lunch, discuss Virginia
"Over the course of the next roughly 10 weeks, Governor-elect Spanberger will build her team. She will run her transition, and we will support her in that process so that she and her team can hit the ground running," he said. "We have a very clear responsibility. Responsibility one is to finish strong. We came in four years ago with an incredibly ambitious agenda, and we have worked diligently, tirelessly against that agenda, and we've accomplished an extraordinary amount. And I do believe that we will hand that baton to the Governor-elect, and she will step in to a Virginia that is stronger than it's ever been."
Inauguration Day is January 17.
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