A Governor Who Stressed Pragmatism Is Hounded by Politics

New York Times
by Campbell Robertson
April 21, 2026
2 min read

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Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, who stressed pragmatism, is hounded by political redistricting fights.

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Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia is facing significant political challenges due to the ongoing fight over redistricting during her term. This political struggle is hounding her administration, despite her efforts to emphasize practical governance as her core brand. The focus on redistricting has dominated her time in office, diverting attention from her preferred approach to state leadership. This situation highlights the persistent influence of political battles on even pragmatically-minded governors.

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