Virginia election winners break race and gender barriers amid national scrutiny on diversity

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Democrat Abigail Spanberger points out at the crowd after she was declared the winner of the Virginia governor's race during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

RICHMOND, Va. – As the polls closed on Tuesday across Virginia, it quickly became clear it was a night of firsts: Voters overwhelmingly elected a slate of candidates who broke race and gender barriers in contests considered among the most consequential nationally.

Republicans in Virginia also fielded a historically diverse statewide ticket that would have set records.

The results come as President Donald Trump has made his opposition to diversity initiatives a cornerstone of his platform, dis