(upbeat music) >>Good morning, and welcome to VPM's coverage of the inauguration of Virginia's 75th Governor, Abigail Spanberger.

She's set to become the first woman to serve as the Commonwealth's Governor.

I'm Keyris Manzanares.

>>And I'm Billy Shields.

Over the next several hours, we'll introduce you to the new leaders of the next administration, providing coverage of the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Spanberger's inaugural address and the subsequent celebrations happening to welcome in the new leadership.

>>And you can really feel the energy here as people have been steadily streaming in to take their seats behind us and along the front of the Virginia Capitol building.

The theme here today is United for Virginia's Future.

>>To get you situated, we're set up on a stage at the east side of the Capitol building.

So you can see the Capitol right next to us.

And behind us are the stands for folks to watch today's events.

As we're speaking, dignitaries from across Virginia are taking their seats behind where Abigail Spanberger will take the Oath of Office shortly.

Current and former governors, members of Congress and members of Virginia's General Assembly will be coming in over the next half hour.

>>The Governor-elect's transition team has been busy planning a flurry of events around today's inauguration.

Festivities officially started yesterday with a Made in Virginia market, which featured more than 40 Virginia-based vendors and businesses, with musical performances headlined by rapper and Virginia Beach native, Pusha T.

>>This evening, the Spanbergers will host a ball at Main Street Station.

The ticketed event will feature live performances and food from across the state.

>>Virginians will also have a chance to tour the executive mansion tomorrow, Sunday during an open house.

Virginia's first family will be living at the Mansion for the next four years.

>>Today's ceremonies marked the peaceful transfer of power from one chief executive to another.

The incoming administration is breaking several glass ceilings.

Abigail Spanberger will be the first woman to serve as governor in the history of Virginia.

Ghazala Hashmi will become the first Muslim woman to hold statewide office in the country.

And Jay Jones will be the first African American Attorney General of the Commonwealth.

>>Jones has been a lifelong resident of Norfolk, and lives there now with his wife Mavis and their two sons.

Public service and civil rights have been cornerstones of his family's tradition.

He is the descendant of slaves.

His grandfather was a civil rights attorney and the first black member of the state's Board of Education.

Jones' father, Gerald Jones, served in all three branches of Virginia State Government, and his mother is currently a judge in Norfolk.

>>Jay Jones has spent a career in public services as well earning an undergraduate degree from William and Mary and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

He served as an Assistant Attorney General, and in 2017 he became the delegate representing Norfolk's 89th House District, the same seat as father held for nearly 15 years.

Jones resigned from the House in January of 2022 and worked with the NAACP of Virginia to protect voting rights in the Commonwealth.

Earlier this week I sat down with the incoming Attorney General as he was in the midst of preparing for the transition into office.

We spoke about his background and his priorities as he takes on this new role.

>>I appreciate you.

May God bless every single one of you in this Commonwealth.

Thank you so much.

>>As part of a ticket that's breaking the mold, Jay Jones is no exception.

The Democrat is stepping into office as Virginia's first Black Attorney General, and says he'll be focused on his top priority: keeping Virginians safe.

>>The weight of this responsibility is not lost on me as the first Black Attorney General in the 407-year history of Virginia.

But what is most important right now is to get to work for the people of Virginia.

They delivered a resounding message in November that they will not stand for federal overreach, that they want to put Virginia first.

>>The former state delegate and Assistant Attorney General comes from a long line of public servants.

Jay Jones even served in the same House seat his father, Gerald Jones, held for many years.

On the campaign trail, Democrats spoke about addressing affordability for Virginians.

Jones says he's already looking into lowering costs.

>>We'll work in conjunction with Governor-elect Spanberger, but we also recently announced the creation of a new division in the Attorney General's office, the Public Advocacy Division, where all of our affirmative litigation will live and they will be really focused on delivering on the promises that we talked about all through the fall, about putting money back in people's pockets to really ramp up our consumer protection activities in this office so that we are returning that money to our citizens, that we are protecting their interests.

>>What do the first a hundred days in office look like for you?

>>We are going to join lawsuits in conjunction with some other states to protect Virginia's interests and our values and our resources, protecting those federal employees who were laid off in mass in 2025 to make sure that we protect our education funding, and to make sure that we make Virginia the most affordable place possible by suing to maintain the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

That among many other things we are looking at and assessing over the first few weeks in office to make sure that there aren't any landmines that we know what the previous administration has gotten ourselves into that may be in opposition to the values of Virginians.

>>Jones says he'll look at existing laws and make recommendations to the legislature for possible changes.

He's also promised to be a bulwark against federal overreach and protect the people of the Commonwealth.

>>I think the major overarching thing that we've heard from Virginians since the election and even before, is that they don't feel safe, they don't feel secure in their communities.

And that is the most important job of any leader in elected office: to keep our communities safe.

And as Attorney General, that's what I'll be focused on for these next four years.

We will do a full assessment of all of the things that my predecessor has done to make sure that those are in line with what we've been talking about in terms of protecting Virginia's interests.

>>Billy Shields, "VPM News."

>>Joining us now to talk about this transition to a new administration is Rich Meagher, Randolph-Macon political science professor and host of VPM's podcast, "RVA's Got Issues."

Thanks for being here, Rich.

>>Yeah, it's really great to be with you on this chilly but historic morning.

(Billy snickers) >>Let's talk about the makeup of the General Assembly as Abigail's Spanberger becomes Governor.

In the most recent election, Democrats expanded their majority in the House of Delegates, and they'll continue to maintain control of the Senate.

What does that mean for Abigail Spanberger's agenda?

>>Well, the key word for this year and maybe the next four is affordability.

It's what Abigail Spanberger campaigned on and the Democrats are really gonna focus on that in terms of Abigail Spanberger's priorities, as you know, executive orders or executive actions and as well what the General Assembly legislators do.

They've emphasized already energy costs to increasing the minimum wage.

But there could be anything on the table that could contributes from reducing utility bills to free breakfast in schools.

Because of the big majority they've got in the House now, the real challenge to this agenda is not really the opposition of the Republicans, it's folks within the Democratic Party.

So the big challenge for Abigail Spanberger as she goes forward on this affordability agenda is keeping her own party on target and in line.

>>And we saw legislators, you know, get to work this week, passing four constitutional amendments.

Could you give us some insight on what those are and what it takes to change Virginia's constitution?

>>Sure.

There were three amendments already on the agenda from the last year or two.

Because of the quirks of Virginia's Constitution, they have to be passed by two different general assemblies, right before an election and then after an election.

So there's one on reproductive rights, one on the restoration of voting rights and one on marriage equality.

But redistricting came on the agenda in a big way this past year with efforts by other states to redistrict, to gerrymander.

And the Democrats wanna get in on the fight here in Virginia so these four constitutional amendments can now be fast tracked and put before the voters.

Ironically, the governor does not have a role in voting on these.

It's just goes to the people.

And so we may have another election here in Virginia in just a few short months on these four constitutional amendments.

>>One of the time-honored traditions of Inauguration Day here in Virginia is the ceremonial Passing of the Key.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, the current governor passes over the key to the Governor's Mansion to the incoming governor.

That'll happen in the old Senate Chamber here at the Capitol.

>>We'll be keeping an eye out for this usually friendly interaction between two leaders, and we'll share that with you.

Historically, the governors have passed an actual key, but as technology has advanced, the governors now swap a key card to the home.

Virginia's Governor has lived in the Executive Mansion since 1813, which makes it the oldest continuously occupied governor's residence in the country.

The ceremony is a chance for the incoming and outgoing governor and their spouses to really, you know, greet one another on this occasion that's marked by so much pomp in circumstance.

>>Over the past several weeks, Abigail Spanberger has been announcing her choices for cabinet positions.

Rich, what kind of hints do your picks give us about the incoming administration's priorities and how Spanberger plans to govern?

>>Well, she's nominated a lot of former legislators.

The fact that she has such a big majority and the House to work with, means that she's been able to cherry pick from legislators that she thinks will make a good addition to her cabinet.

That does mean we'll see some new faces there.

But it also means, or at least implies to me, that she's looking for experienced hands who are legislators, who understand policy.

She's not looking for ideology, she's not looking for loyalty, she's looking for people who can get things done.

And that signals that she's gonna really focus on empowering these cabinet appointments to really make some changes in their respective departments.

>>And, you know, Rich, often governors select members of the General Assembly, like you mentioned, to serve in their administration, which means special elections must be held in those districts to fill those vacancies.

Some of those special elections have already happened.

What should voters expect from those elections and what does that mean for the balance of power in Virginia?

>>It seems like Virginia, our brand is elections.

We have elections every year and now with the incoming administration, we're now having a host of special elections.

I can understand if some citizens of the Commonwealth are maybe feeling a little election fatigue, and yet we do need to fill these seats.

You'll notice in the case, for example, of the State Senate seat opening up for Ghazala Hashmi, delegate Mike Jones stepped up.

That sets off the domino effect where other elected officials then run for the delegate's office.

This happens every year that we have an election in the Commonwealth, but it's still, here, it seems especially like there's a lot of these elections.

Now, Governor Spanberger is picking the people that she wants who can help her, but she's also got an eye on making sure that these are safe districts.

She's not gonna threaten anybody's Democratic seats.

She wants them to stay in Democratic hands.

So I do think that as far as balance and power goes, we won't see too much of a change, but there will bring in new faces, new ideas, and lots of maybe learning curves for these new legislators who have to learn how the General Assembly works.

>>And Rich, you mentioned that one of those special elections was held to fill Hashmi's seat.

She's represented parts of Richmond and Chesterfield County since 2020.

Today she'll be sworn in as Virginia's next Lieutenant Governor.

And Hashmi is an Indian-born former educator, who was raised by a family of educators.

She grew up in Georgia and spent nearly three decades as an administrator and English professor at the collegiate level.

She says she decided to run for elected office after the Trump administration issued a travel ban on several predominantly Muslim countries during his first term.

As a Muslim American, she called the policy a, quote, "moment of crisis."

>>On the campaign trail, Hashmi spoke about her commitment to protecting diverse communities and addressing key issues such as education, healthcare, housing affordability and labor.

The Lieutenant Governor-elect lives in Chesterfield with her husband, Azhar Rafiq.

The couple has two adult daughters.

I spoke with her from her Senate office in the General Assembly building as she prepared to take on her new role as Lieutenant Governor.

(crowd applauding) Ghazala Hashmi is not the first woman to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor in Virginia, but once she's sworn in, she'll be the first Muslim American woman in the US to hold statewide office.

>>We know that immigrant voices and so many people of different faith call Virginia home and this is a chance to elevate a lot of those different voices and to make sure we have full representation of everybody that lives here.

>>Hashmi, a former English professor, entered Virginia's political scene in 2019 when she was elected to the state Senate.

She quickly became known as a policy focus legislator championing public education, healthcare access, and equity initiatives.

Hashmi says her two terms in office gave her a better understanding of the issues facing all Virginians.

>>Now as Lieutenant Governor, I get to broaden that perspective and I get to talk to so many people across Virginia.

My goal is to really bring the issues that are facing folks all across the Commonwealth to Richmond so that we can address the issues, and the concerns and make some important progress legislatively.

>>Hashmi says her experience in the state Senate will be critical as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor.

>>I knew it was gonna be critically important that we have strong state leadership to respond to the crisis that we are seeing now in Washington.

And especially now as we see Washington handing back to the states so many critical responsibilities.

And, you know, we see an abdication of responsibility at the federal level.

And that means as state leaders, we need to respond to the crisis in healthcare, the crisis in our jobs, our economy, the rising cost of living for so many of our families.

That's the necessary work that we will be doing in this next administration.

>>She also plans to leverage her deep connections in Virginia's General Assembly to work on issues that transcend party politics.

>>I think it's an asset that Virginia has, a lieutenant governor coming in who has already spent six years in the Chamber, has built those necessary relationships, not just in the Chamber but also in the House and also across state agencies.

So much of the work that we do depends on a host of different offices and agencies, agency leaders.

And these are critical relationships that I plan to continue to focus on and nurture over the next few years.

>>The Lieutenant Governor serves as the Senate President.

Hashmi says she will examine the impacts of all legislation passing through the Chamber.

Keyris Manzanares, "VPM News."

>>We're expecting to see a lot of legislative action during this General Assembly session, which began Wednesday.

Rich, can you go through some of the items you expect to be topping the agenda this year?

>>Well, I hate to repeat myself, right, but affordability is gonna be a dominant theme.

So utility bills, expect to hear a lot about the minimum wage.

But two other things, big items on the agenda: data centers and the energy costs and all the associated issues that go with them.

And then we might finally come up with a solution for marijuana sales.

We have legalized it in the Commonwealth, but the General Assembly hasn't quite shaken out how they want that to work.

One other thing to note, right, there's 2000 bills that get introduced every session and about a thousand of them passed.

So there'll be lots of little issues that will crop up as well.

>>You know, that's certainly a lot to address, and there's a lot happening here this morning at the Capitol.

Let's run through some of what we're expecting to see today as members of the public continue to take their seats in the bleachers and distinguished guests arrive on the Capitol portico.

Today's events began earlier this morning with an inaugural prayer breakfast at St.

Paul's Episcopal Church, which is just west of the Virginia State Capitol.

>>The Governor elect and the incoming Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, along with their families took a motorcade from the Jefferson Hotel to the Capitol Building.

Once they arrived here, the Governor-elect was escorted to the old Senate Chamber to meet with Governor Youngkin for the Key ceremony.

And then they moved into the Jefferson room, which overlooks the south portico and all the crowds you see at the Capitol.

>>Right now, they're greeting former Virginia governors here and having their photos taken together before walking out onto the south portico to greet the crowds gathered here today.

The majority House leader, Charniele Herring, who represents Alexandria, will announce the dignitaries as they arrive, including Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and her husband Adam, along with their three daughters.

>>Abigail Spanberger father is a veteran of the US Army and a career law enforcement officer.

Her mother worked as a nurse.

Spanberger is the eldest of three daughters and a graduate of J.R.

Tucker High School, located in the suburbs of Richmond.

She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from a joint program between Purdue University and Gisma, business school in Germany.

Spanberger followed in her father's footsteps, becoming a federal law enforcement officer, then a case officer with the CIA.

In 2016, she won a bid for Congress to represent Virginia's 7th District.

>>Spanberger will be moving her family, including her husband Adam, and their three teenage daughters into the Governor's Mansion in Richmond.

I sat down with her shortly after her election to ask about her priorities and how she plans to govern.

(crowd cheering and applauding) For the first time in Virginia's nearly 240-year history, a woman will be sworn in as Governor.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger is stepping into an office long shaped by tradition and held exclusively by men.

>>We continue to break barriers, and hopefully, you know, it's important to have somebody be a first, but what's more important is that many more people follow in those footsteps.

>>Spanberger, a former CIA officer, federal lawmaker and mother of three has built her career on national security expertise by partisan problem-solving and a penchant for retail politics, winning and competitive districts by appealing to voters across party lines.

On the campaign trail, Spanberger promise to lower costs for Virginians.

>>My focus will be, will be a relentless focus on taking every action possible through the administration, through executive action and certainly in working directly with the legislature to move policies and initiatives forward that will impact people's lives, bring down costs and contend with some of the root causes of cost increases.

>>When it comes to the state affordability, you know, you've said that you wanna take executive action.

Why do you think that's the best approach and what gaps do you think can't wait for the General Assembly to solve?

>>Well, I think it becomes a whole of government approach, and certainly much of what we will move forward on will be through legislation in partnership with the General Assembly.

And certainly in mid-December I rolled out the affordability agenda and actual pieces of legislation that I want to move forward during this session, through executive action, through ensuring that every person within my administration is, you know, thinking on a daily basis, What else could I do or could the departments and agencies I oversee do to bring down costs or to make life just a little bit easier for people.

That, in addition to legislative action, I think is how you keep a relentless focus on affordability.

>>Spanberger is taking office with a full agenda centered on the affordability of housing, healthcare and energy.

As she leads the Commonwealth forward, she wants Virginians to know- >>Virginia's an extraordinary place and I will work relentlessly throughout my four years as Governor to deliver on my promises that ultimately the goal of trying to lower costs and strengthen our public schools and strengthen our communities and bring business to Virginia and investment, the whole goal of that is so that our Commonwealth can be that place for everyone.

>>Keyris Manzanares, "VPM News."

And we're taking you straight to the Key Ceremony, which is actually happening right now.

>>It's very exciting.

>>Quite amazing.

>>Yeah.

>>Yeah, it is.

It is.

It is.

Well, as part of this, there is a grand tradition.

>>You're seeing former, you know, Governor-elect, Abigail Spanberger and her daughters meeting Glenn Youngkin, the Governor of Virginia.

>>To the mansion.

>>Yeah, I go that side.

>>And just as a reminder, they're using the plastic card here, not a traditional key, just because of modern technology.

>>Okay.

>>And this tradition has literally gone on beyond anyone's memory.

There might have been a little mishap and it might have been presented slightly differently four years ago because the key might have been missing.

In the transition from electronic to- >>Oh.

>>From real to electronic.

And so we had a special key.

And my only request is that when you, as I've mentioned to you many times during transition or standing here and the next governor is standing there, I would just ask you to have a similar key.

It's a very easy thing, I can tell you.

(everyone laughing) >>We can help.

>>So it's my privilege to pass on to you key to the Executive Mansion of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

And I know your family is going to love this experience because you get to do it together.

>>Can we look at the key?

>>Yes.

>>Take a look at the key.

>>And I'm happy to- >>The whole box (indistinct).

>>Ooh.

(family gasping) >>Oh my gosh!

>>You're welcome.

>>By the way, there's not a lot.

(everyone laughing) >>Does it work?

(laughs) >>We won't actually use this to get- >>That's so big.

>>No, stick with EPD.

(everyone laughing) That's your best bet.

(Suzanne laughing) >>Wow.

>>That's gorgeous.

>>It says, "Abigail Spanberger-" >>And you just saw the Key Ceremony happening there.

Spanberger will actually be sworn in on her grandmother's bible when she delivers her inaugural address.

(everyone laughing) >>Rich, one question I've got for you.

With this key ceremony, there have been some times where there have been some mishaps.

No?

>>(chuckles) Yeah, Ralph Northam's dog apparently ate their key card and so when it was handed off it was a little chewed up, but it's a nice ceremony.

You can see there the conciliation between the two.

This is not a day where there's opposition.

And Governor Youngkin can very, you know, generously making a nice gift to the Spanberger family.

>>Very cool.

Semi-retired Justice William Mims will deliver Spanberger Oath of Office.

The two met at Richmond's Amtrak Station in 2018.

The "Washington Post" reports, Mims, unknown to her at the time, approached Spanberger and said he was impressed with her campaign message.

Months after her election win, when she sent, he sent Spanberger a written note, and it was then that she realized Mims was a justice on Virginia's supreme court and a former Republican member of the General Assembly.

Spanberger has referenced this chance meeting over the course of the years and used it as an example of how Republicans and Democrats can find common cause.

>>Rich, during Spanberger's time in Congress, she developed a reputation for working across the aisle.

What do you think that could mean for her as she approaches being governor?

>>Well, I do think she's not looking to pick fights.

And it is up to her, you know, her sort of constitution almost, is to work with others including Republicans.

I think that there's a lot to be admired about that.

There are some members of her own party that might want her to push against them a little bit more.

So we'll see how that dynamic plays out over the next four years.

>>Another inauguration tradition dating back to 1977 is that state protocol dictates the male members of the General Assembly wear morning coats, which is a formal jacket that shortened the front with a buttoned waist and is long in the back with tails.

The distinct outfit also includes an Ascot worn around the neck in place of a tie.

>>The dress guidance for women suggests they only wear dark suits, but there's been no word from the Governor's office about what she plans to wear.

But the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" reports she will be wearing jewelry made specifically for today's event by Richmond-based jeweler, Mallory Martin Parker.

The artist said the matching necklace and earrings were inspired by the James River and feature a blue gemstone called the kyanite, which is found in Buckingham County.

>>You'll be hearing musical performances from several Virginia groups.

Singers from Hermitage High School in Richmond will sing the song "Shenandoah."

The Hampton University Concert Choir will perform the national anthem.

And ADAM's Beat, which is a Muslim children's chorus out of Sterling who will sing "This Land is Your Land."

>>Also, during the inauguration ceremony, members from Virginia's 11 Indian tribes will present a blessing dance for the Capitol grounds and offer best wishes for a successful administration and stronger ties between Virginia's Indigenous people and the Commonwealth.

>>A lot of thought and attention goes into every detail of what's happening today.

>>Rich, what insight can you give us as to how people are chosen to be here today?

>>Yeah, it's to try to show the different interests and diversity of peoples across the Commonwealth, right?

Certain groups might be represented but also, you know, geographic areas.

I think Spanberger wants to give the message that I'm the Governor for everyone.

Now, everyone might not feel that way all throughout her tenure, but she wants to certainly get that message out there today.

>>Rich, you and I were together Wednesday night for Governor Youngkin's final state of the Commonwealth Address, today his final appearance as Virginia's Governor.

What's he been doing the last few days in office?

>>Governor Youngkin's been fairly active, probably unusually so.

A couple of executive orders.

Certainly the business of the government goes on.

He can't get a case of senioritis and just take the week off.

But he's been active in trying to communicate to the new administration, here's a few priorities and things that I hope you'll continue on after I leave.

>>And, you know, Abigail Spanberger has hinted that she'll have some of her own executive orders to sign once she's sworn in.

Do you have any insight as to what those would be?

>>It's certainly gonna be about affordability.

Glenn Youngkin, when he was brought into office, you know, he campaigned on education.

His first executive order was about education.

So I think that affordability is really gonna be front and center in what she signs today.

>>Abigail Spanberger takes office during a historic year for the nation as it celebrates its 250th anniversary.

Rich, do you expect the Governor to speak about this momentous occasion in American history?

>>I really do think so.

I mean, Glenn Youngkin made a big deal out of it in his State of the Commonwealth Address last week.

But I think she is aware of the historic nature, both of her inauguration today and the circumstances surrounding this in the whole country.

So I bet we'll hear a little bit about history today.

>>This is VPM's special coverage of Abigail Spanberger's inauguration.

In a few moments, she will become Virginia's 75th Governor and the first woman elected Governor in the Commonwealth.

The program is set to begin at the top of the hour, followed by an inauguration parade to run through Capitol swear.

I'm Keyris Manzanares.

>>And I'm Billy Shields.

Rich, thank you for being here with us to preview what we expect to take place here in Virginia's capital city this afternoon and over the rest of the weekend.

Thank you at home for joining us.

The ceremony is set to begin right at noon, so we're going to wrap up our special coverage now and then we'll be back after the inauguration and parade for an analysis of what the newly sworn-in Governor had to say in her inaugural address.

(attendees chattering indistinctly) (gavel thudding) >>The Joint Assembly will come to order.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Okay, that's that, the Joint Assembly will stand at ease.

(everyone laughing) (gavel thudding) (attendee speaking indistinctly) (attendees laughing) (attendees chattering off-mic) (aircraft humming) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees continue chattering off-mic) (gavel thudding) Joint Assembly will come to order.

Sergeant Anozie.

>>Mr.

President, majority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates and member of the General Assembly Inaugural Committee, the Honorable Charniele Herring.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>The delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.

>>Mr.

President, it is my honor to present His Excellency, the Governor of the Commonwealth, the Honorable Glenn Youngkin, and First Lady of Virginia.

(attendees applauding) (attendees chattering off-mic) >>Tania looks good, huh?

He must be so proud.

(attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees continue chattering off-mic) >>Mr.

Speaker.

Once again, Mr.

Speaker, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Honorable Glenn Youngkin, and the First Lady of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Thank you, Governor.

Thank you, (indistinct).

>>Delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.

>>Mr.

President, is my honor to present the members of the General Assembly Inaugural Committee.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees cheering and applauding) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees continue chattering off-mic) >>What's his wife's name?

What's his wife's name?

>>Dorothy.

(attendees chattering off-mic) >>He's a snoozer.

>>He was fun, though.

(attendees laughing) Now, if he didn't make that one ridiculous statement about the schools and the parents.

He could've said it differently.

I mean, we all knew what he was (indistinct).

(attendees chattering off-mic) >>The delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.

>>Mr.

President, on behalf of the Inaugural Committee, I have the honor to present the Attorney General-elect, the Honorable Jay C. Jones and family.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>General.

Hey, General.

Be careful.

If y'all wanna use the stairs, you can, either way you wanna go.

The tape is just here at 12:30 (indistinct).

>>Right, we can.

>>Delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.

>>Mr.

President, on behalf of the Inaugural Committee, I have the honor to present the Lieutenant Governor-elect, the Honorable Ghazala Firdous Hashmi and family.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>The delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring.

>>Mr.

President, on behalf of the Inaugural Committee, I have the honor to present the Governor-elect, the Honorable Abigail Davis Spanberger and family.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (processional music) (attendees cheering and applauding) (processional music) (attendees cheering and applauding) (attendees cheering) >>The Joint Assembly will come to order.

"Shenandoah," arranged by Ricki Wingenbach will now be performed by the Hermitage High School Select Treble and Chamber Singers.

(attendees cheering) ♪ Away, you rolling river ♪ ♪ Oh, how I long to see you ♪ ♪ Away, I'm bound away 'cross the wide Missouri ♪ ♪ Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you ♪ ♪ Away, you rolling river ♪ ♪ Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you ♪ ♪ Away, I'm bound away ♪ ♪ 'Cross the wide Missouri ♪ ♪ Tis seven long years since last I saw you ♪ ♪ Away, you rolling river ♪ ♪ Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you ♪ ♪ Away, I'm bound away 'cross the wide Missouri ♪ ♪ Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you ♪ ♪ Away, you rolling river ♪ ♪ Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you ♪ ♪ Away, I'm bound away ♪ ♪ 'Cross the wide Missouri ♪ ♪ 'Cross the wide Missouri ♪ (attendees cheering and applauding) >>The Joint Assembly will rise and be led in prayer by Father Jim Karen, Basilica of St.

Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk.

And remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance of the Flag of the United States of America and the singing of our national anthem, the "Star-Spangled Banner."

>>In the West African country of Ghana, there's a system of symbols called Adinkra.

One of the most popular symbols is called Sankofa.

Sankofa is the image of a goose with its feet pointed forward and his head turned around carrying an egg.

It symbolizes moving forward and carrying into our future only that which is worthy of it.

In the Sankofa moment, let us pray.

Heavenly Father, as we stand at this historic moment, we humbly and gratefully acknowledge the many barriers and obstacles that your grace has empowered us to overcome.

We are also aware that we remain deeply divided by dissension and discord.

We pray that you will send your spirit to unite us as we move forward.

Let that spirit open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable.

Open our ears to the cries of the poor and the marginalized.

Open our hearts to those with whom we disagree.

Open our mouths to speak words of wisdom and reconciliation that inspire acts of justice.

We know that through the working of your power, hatred is overcome by love, revenge gives way to forgiveness and discord is changed to mutual respect.

Let that power be manifested in the public witness of the new Governor, Honorable Abigail Spanberger, and Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Ghazala Hashmi.

May they govern this great Commonwealth with humility, honor, integrity, compassion and wisdom.

Let that power be manifested in Attorney General, the Honorable Gerald Jones.

May he always be mindful of your command to do the work of real justice that restores us to right relationships.

May he be wise and merciful as he seeks that justice.

Give to all the new leaders of this great Commonwealth of Virginia, strength, understanding, grace and discernment to lead us into our bright future, bringing forward everything that is worthy of it.

Amen.

>>Amen.

>>Please join me in welcome in the Girl Scouts of Virginia who will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

(attendees applauding) >>The "Star-Spangled Banner" will now be performed by the Hampton University Concert Choir.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>They're striking.

They're striking.

♪ O, say, can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed ♪ ♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rockets' red glare ♪ ♪ Rockets' red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ ♪ America ♪ (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Thank you.

>>Join Assembly.

Joint Assembly and guests, please be seated.

The Oath of Office will now be administered to the Attorney General-elect, the Honorable Jay C. Jones, by the Honorable Lynn M. Simmons, Chief Judge of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>You ready?

>>Yeah, baby.

I'm good.

>>Ready?

>>Yeah.

Okay.

Here's your right hand.

Repeat after me.

I do solemnly swear.

>>I, Gerald Charles Corey Jones, do solemnly swear.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

>>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially.

>>Discharge all the duties.

>>Discharge all the duties.

>>Incumbent upon me.

>>Incumbent upon me.

>>As the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>As the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>According to the best of my ability.

>>According to the best of my ability.

>>So help me God.

>>So help me God.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Love you.

Love you.

All right, let's go.

>>The Oath of Office will now be administered to the Lieutenant Governor-elect, the Honorable Ghazala Firdous Hashmi, by the Honorable Cleo E. Powell, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Ms.

Hashmi, are you prepared to take the Oath of Office?

>>Yes, I am.

>>Please place your left hand on the Quran.

Raise your right hand and repeat after me.

>>I, state your name.

>>I, Ghazala Firdous Hashmi.

>>Do solemnly swear.

>>Do solemnly swear.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

>>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge.

>>All the duties incumbent upon me.

>>All the duties incumbent upon me.

>>As Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>As Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>To the best of my ability.

>>To the best of my ability.

>>Congratulations.

>>Thank you.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>The Oath of Office will now be administered to the Governor-elect, the Honorable Abigail Davis Spanberger, by the Honorable William C. Mims, Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Ms.

Spanberger, are you prepared to take the Oath of Office?

>>I am.

>>Please raise your right hand.

Place your left hand on the Bible held by your husband, Adam Spanberger, assisted by your daughters, Claire, Charlotte and Catherine.

Please repeat after me.

>>I, Abigail Davis Spanberger, do solemnly swear.

>>I, Abigail Davis Spanberger, do solemnly swear.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

>>That I will support the Constitution of the United States >>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge.

>>And that I will faithfully and impartially discharge.

>>All the duties incumbent upon me.

>>All the duties incumbent upon me.

>>As Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>As Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

>>According to the best of my ability.

>>According to the best of my ability.

>>So help me God.

>>So help me God.

>>Congratulations, Governor.

>>Thank you.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (martial music) (weapons firing) (martial music) (weapons firing) (attendees cheering and applauding) (weapons firing) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>See, I told you, it's way different (indistinct).

(attendees laughing) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees cheering and applauding) (aircraft humming) >>I have the honor to present to the sovereign people of Virginia, the new Governor of the Commonwealth, her Excellency Abigail Davis Spanberger.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Mr.

Speaker, Madam President pro tem, Madam Lieutenant, Governor, Mr.

Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, honored guests.

To my parents, Martin and Eileen Davis; (attendees cheering) to my sisters, Hillary and Meredith; to my husband, Adam; and to my daughters, Claire, Charlotte and Catherine; neighbors, friends and our fellow Virginians, it is my honor to be with all of you today.

(attendees cheering and applauding) An inauguration ceremony like this one with all its tradition and pageantry represents something profound, and in its origin, something uniquely American, the peaceful transfer of power.

(attendees cheering and applauding) It is a cornerstone of our American democratic experiment, a tradition and precedent begun by a Virginian, George Washington, (attendees cheering and applauding) and carried forth every time we celebrate an election and the inauguration of new leaders who will be entrusted to govern and serve for a time.

Every four years, Virginians have the unique responsibility of choosing those leaders as we all write the next chapter of our Commonwealth story.

And today that tradition continues.

Adam and I extend our appreciation to you Governor Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, for the time you have spent with us during this transition.

I thank you for your service.

And we wish you and your family the best as you exit this role and begin a new chapter.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And to Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears, herself, a trailblazer, and Attorney General Miyares, and to those who served in the Youngkin administration, thank you for your service to the Commonwealth that we all love.

(attendees applauding) To the former governors in attendance today, I am grateful that you are here.

I thank you for your outreach, for your offers of support and your help, and for your continued commitment to Virginia.

(attendees applauding) As I begin, as I begin my service as Governor, I wanna thank the men and women of our armed forces, the Virginians serving overseas and those who serve at military installations across our Commonwealth, thank you for your defense of our freedom.

(attendees cheering and applauding) I thank the members of the Virginia National Guard, those serving far from home or right here today.

I thank our Commonwealth law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders for your tireless commitment to our fellow Virginians.

Thank you.

(attendees cheering and applauding) 75 times.

75 times in Virginia's storied history, we have witnessed this transfer from one governor to the next.

75 times, a governor has taken this oath, and so many of those times it's been right here on these steps that those words have been spoken.

It is the honor of my life to stand before you and take the oath today.

The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me.

I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who work generation after generation to ensure women could be among those casting ballots but who could only, (attendees cheering and applauding) but who could only dream of a day like today.

(attendees cheering and applauding) I stand before those who made it possible for a woman to also participate in that peaceful transfer of power and take that oath.

And it is with a profound sense of duty to all Virginians that I assume the governorship and pledge myself to work tirelessly on behalf of our Commonwealth.

(attendees cheering and applauding) This year marks the 250th anniversary of two milestones in American democracy.

The first is the signing of our Declaration of Independence drafted by Thomas Jefferson, Virginia's second governor, and the man who designed the very building behind us today.

And the second milestone we remember this year is the inauguration of Patrick Henry as Virginia's first governor.

Governor Henry is best known for his call against tyranny at St.

John's Church, just up the road, words that helped launch the American Revolution.

But in his final public speech delivered in Virginia years later in 1799, he made an appeal to his fellow citizens, warning against the divisions that were threatening our young country.

His appeal remains timeless.

He said, "United we stand, divided we fall.

Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs."

I'll say it again.

"Let us not split into factions which would destroy that union upon which our existence hangs."

That, (attendees cheering and applauding) that was the challenge Governor Henry put to Virginia at the close of the 18th century.

And it is the charge we must answer again today.

I know that the work of perfecting our democracy has never been finished.

But I am heartfelt and heartened by the fact that so much of that work has been done right here, on these very steps and across this city, where Virginia's history and America's history has so often been written.

This square has been the scene of remarkable dramas of equality and justice.

It's been the sight of great struggles and hard-won triumphs whose consequences have been heard across America.

On these steps, Virginia's suffragists brought their cause to the General Assembly, session after session, decade after decade.

And though these brave women were voted down time and time again, they refused to give up.

And while the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in 1920, it would not be until 1952 that Virginia finally ratified it.

And yet for so many women, the right to vote was not truly secured until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(attendees cheering and applauding) In 1960, Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr.

addressed a crowd of more than 2,500 people here in Richmond.

He implored the then governor to comply with the Brown v. The Board of Education ruling, building upon a message he had issued one year prior when he wrote, quote, "Today is a day for great men, great ideas, great movements."

And in his urgent appeal for progress, he wrote, "As Virginia goes, so goes the south, perhaps America and the world."

(attendees cheering and applauding) In 1960, following his impassioned words at the Pilgrimage of Prayer, they marched here to these steps.

In the generation since Governor Henry's plea as rights have been won and progress has been made, our Commonwealth and our country have faced hurdles, hardships, division and bitterness.

And yet along the way what has been necessary is leaders who clearly see and willingly confront challenges.

And even more importantly, what has always been essential is for people, everyday people, we Virginians, to do the same.

And so it was in 1970 as our Commonwealth faced once again deep divisions that Virginia's 61st governor didn't shy away from the challenges before him.

Governor Linwood Holton stared them down and on, (attendees cheering and applauding) and on these steps he proclaimed, and I'm quoting, "No longer can we be divided into opposing camps of political philosophy.

The time for partisan politics is over.

It's time now for leadership, for action, for progress through unity."

And he went on to issue a challenge: "I turn today to all Virginians, whatever their political persuasion and say let us act together."

(attendees cheering and applauding) And just 20 years later on these steps, Virginia inaugurated our 66th governor and our nation's first elected African American governor.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Governor L. Douglas Wilder changed what so many of our fellow citizens believed was even possible.

And today on your 95th birthday, (attendees cheering and applauding) I thank you, Governor, for being here to celebrate this Virginia tradition as we continue to write our Commonwealth story.

It was by design that we are a Commonwealth.

In Virginia's first constitution written 250 years ago, they designated us as such, Virginia, no longer a colony and not simply a state in our fledgling nation, but a Commonwealth.

What's the difference?

Well, kids pay attention.

Someone may ask you this eventually.

(attendees laughing) There's no difference.

(attendees laughing) There is no difference in how we operate or function as a state.

The difference lies in the intentions of our forefathers and the choice to indicate that here our government should serve the common good, that the voices of everyday Virginians, not kings, not aristocrats, not oligarchs, should, (attendees cheering and applauding) that the voices of everyday Virginians should drive us forward, and that our prosperity depends on that union.

That our leaders and our fellow Virginians should join in common cause, find common ground and pursue common purpose.

That is the concept at the heart of what it means to be a Commonwealth.

And this is what it means to be united for Virginia's future.

And while I have spoken at length about our history, today must be about our future and the story we will write together.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And I know many of you are worried about the recklessness coming out of Washington.

You are worried about policies that are hurting our communities, cutting healthcare access, imperiling rural hospitals and driving up costs.

You are worried about Washington policies that are closing off markets, hurting innovation and private industry and attacking those who have devoted their lives to public service.

(attendees cheering) You are worried about an administration that is gilding buildings while schools crumble, (attendees cheering) breaking, breaking, breaking the social safety net and sowing fear across our communities, betraying the values of who we are as Americans, the very values that we celebrate here on these steps.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And across the Commonwealth, everything keeps getting a bit more expensive: groceries, medicine, daycare, the electricity bill, rent and the mortgage.

Families are strained, kids are stressed and so much just seems to be getting harder and harder.

Growing up my parents always taught me that when faced with something unacceptable, you must speak up, you must take action.

You must right what you believe is wrong and fix what isn't working.

And I know that some who are here today or watching from home may disagree with the litany of challenges and the hardships that I laid out.

Your perspective may differ from mine, but that does not preclude us from working together where we may find common cause.

(attendees cheering and applauding) My priorities for the people of Virginia are drawn from my own background and experience.

I grew up in a family where my parents modeled a commitment to service and community.

My father in law enforcement and my mother in nursing.

My middle class upbringing was a result of their struggle, their hard work and programs like the GI Bill that sent my dad to college, and strong community colleges that allowed my mom to put herself through nursing school as she worked a heck of a lot more than just full time.

(attendees cheering and applauding) I followed my father's footsteps into law enforcement.

At my academy graduation, he handed me my badge and my credentials and I entered a world where I had to get it right every time and do right by everyone I encountered: victims, witnesses, fellow agents, and the person whose name was on an arrest warrant.

Then as a CIA officer, I worked to combat the greatest threats facing America.

I worked to keep our nation safe at home and abroad.

And I saw firsthand that the world is safer when the United States shows our mighty strength through the lives we save, the diseases we eradicate, the technologies we create and the leadership we show on a global stage.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Today I am a mother to three daughters who are my everything.

And there is nothing more important to me than their safety, their health, their education and their future.

And I know that far too many parents work hard to make ends meet, but still worry how they'll put food on the table, take their sick child to the doctor or keep the lights on.

When today is so uncertain, it is hard to dream big for tomorrow.

Today I stand before you on these steps, not only as Virginia's 75th Governor, but as someone who believes it is our duty to write the next chapter of our Commonwealth story.

It is our duty to demonstrate for the generations to come that when faced with hardship, challenges, divisions and even bitterness, we too forged a path forward and pursued progress.

As we write this next chapter, we will work relentlessly to make life more affordable for our fellow Virginians.

We will tackle the high cost of housing whether you're renting, buying, or trying to stay in your home.

We will cut red tape, increase housing supply and help communities keep housing affordable.

(attendees cheering and applauding) We will work to lower energy costs by producing more energy and by ensuring that high energy users pay their fair share.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And we will contend with an impending healthcare crisis by protecting healthcare access, cracking down on the middlemen who are driving up drug prices, and making sure Virginians aren't going into spiraling medical debt because of a single emergency.

(attendees cheering and applauding) As we write this next chapter, we will make Virginia's public schools the best in the nation.

(attendees cheering and applauding) We will work to ensure every child in the Commonwealth receives a world-class education at every level, providing them a solid foundation in reading and math and preparing our kids for a prosperous future.

And we will invest in the schools and the educators that are essential to this goal.

(attendees cheering and applauding) As we write this next chapter, we will grow Virginia's economy in every corner of the Commonwealth.

We will invest in apprenticeships and job training of the future.

We will bring capital investment to every region of our Commonwealth.

We will stand up for Virginia's workers, including our federal workforce.

We will, (attendees cheering and applauding) we will expand opportunities for Virginia agriculture, our farmers, producers, agribusinesses and farm families.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And as we write this next chapter, we will focus on the security and safety of all our neighbors.

We will take action to prevent gun violence, to support Virginians struggling with addiction and to address the mental health crisis impacting our kids and our neighbors.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And in Virginia, our hardworking, law-abiding immigrant neighbors will know that when we say, (attendees cheering and applauding) that we will focus on the security and safety of all of our neighbors, we mean them too.

(attendees cheering and applauding) We will write this next chapter together, because throughout our history, no leader has ever made progress alone.

To my friends in the General Assembly on both sides of the aisle, I look forward to working with you.

I know what it means to represent your constituents, to work hard for your district and to pursue policies you believe in.

We will not agree on everything, but I speak from personal experience when I say we do not have to see eye to eye on every issue, to stand shoulder to shoulder on others.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Because Virginia has always been a place where we confront challenges, where we build coalitions and where we prove that democracy still works.

(attendees cheering and applauding) To Lieutenant Governor Hashmi, an Attorney General Jones, I look forward to working together with both of you as we serve our fellow Virginians over the next four years.

To our incoming cabinet and administration, thank you for joining us in service.

To the people of Virginia, and most importantly, to the people of Virginia, we are beginning a new chapter in our Commonwealth story and we need you to help us write it.

As we mark 250 years since the dawn of American freedom, what will our children, our grandchildren, and their descendants write about this time in our Commonwealth's history?

This chapter, 50, 100, 250 years from now?

Will they say that we let divisions fester or challenges overwhelm us?

Or will they say that we stood up for what is right, fixed what is broken and served the common good here in Virginia?

(attendees cheering and applauding) Today we're hearing the call to connect more deeply to our American experiment, to understand our shared history, not as a single point in time, but as a lesson for how we create our, our more prosperous future.

And so I ask, what will you do to help us author this next chapter?

As your Governor, I pledge to you that I will work tirelessly for you and for our Commonwealth.

And today I find myself thinking about Dr.

King's pilgrimage of prayer, such a powerful phrase.

And it gives me cause to reflect on what our path forward must be.

Not a pilgrimage of politics, certainly not a pilgrimage of partisanship, but rather a pilgrimage of promise, progress and prosperity.

My fellow Virginians, as we set an example for the country and the world, and most importantly, for our children, let us choose to stand united, choose to serve one another, choose to act together.

As we continue forward, let us be united for Virginia's future.

Thank you all so very much.

May God bless the Commonwealth of Virginia, and may God bless the United States of America.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Please rise for the benediction which we are offered by Dr.

Lance D. Watson, Senior Pastor at St.

Paul's Baptist Church.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Let us pray.

Gracious God, we gather today to begin a new journey together in this space made sacred by your presence and your people.

We thank you for all that you have done, for you have given us the gifts of life, laughter, love, liberty and leadership.

And for that, we give you praise.

For 250 years you have blessed us as a nation to pursue this fragile experiment of democracy, and we give you glory.

We thank you that we live in a nation where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are inalienable rights which we hold to be self-evident.

We praise you for the responsibility we have to do justice, love, mercy and walk only with you.

We pause today in the shadow of our state Capitol to thank you for all of the years that Virginia has been a commonwealth, and particularly for our 75th Governor Abigail Davis Spanberger.

We thank you for the ceiling that she shatters, for the doors that she opens, for the barriers she breaks as the first woman elected to serve in this high office in our state.

We thank you for the hope she represents as we face and forge a future united together, a future that benefits everybody and slights nobody, a future that's affordable and beneficial.

We thank you for her vision, her energy, her tenacity, her hopes and her dreams.

Almighty God, as she comes into office, this is an era defined by significant geopolitical fragmentation, a shift towards narrow nationalism, rapid technological shifts and changes and persistent economic challenges.

So we pray for her, your wisdom and your guidance.

This is a moment marked by danger, seen and unseen.

So we pray your protection, preservation and provision for our Governor Abigail Spanberger, our First Gentleman, Adam Spanberger, and for their three adorable daughters.

We pray for our Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi and our Second Gentleman, Azhar Rafiq and their families.

We pray for our Attorney General Jay Jones, his wife, Mavis Jones and their family.

Today we unite our hearts and minds in solidarity and oneness to span every partisan divide and work cooperatively to make our state what you would have it to be.

May this be a place where the wounded are healed, the downtrodden are lifted, the homeless are housed, the hungry are fed, the children are educated, the elderly are nurtured, justice is prioritized and mercy is extended.

May this be a place where we find needs and meet them, find problems and solve them, find hurts and heal them.

You have blessed us to be a blessing to and for one another.

So would you make of us now progressive and passionate stewards of our economy and our environment, for we acknowledge the complexity of our past and the contradictions of our story?

Yet we thank you for the commonness of our humanity and the opportunity that the future offers.

God of our weary ears, God of our silent tears, thou who has brought us thus far on the way, thou who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Give us today the blessings of civility, truth, wisdom and discernment.

Even amidst our diversity, enable us to embrace our unity.

Open our hearts and courage and imagination that we might envision a better tomorrow where your purpose will prevail on earth as it does in heaven.

Let your grace and favor rest upon us.

In the mighty, matchless, marvelous, magnificent, and majestic name that is above every name, we pray and give thanks.

And everybody who agreed with that prayer said amen.

>>Amen.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>"This Land is Your Land" will now be performed by ADAMS's Beat.

(attendees cheering) (attendees chattering off-mic) (attendees chattering off-mic) ♪ This land is your land ♪ ♪ This land is my land ♪ ♪ From California to the New York Island ♪ ♪ From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ As I went walking that ribbon of highway ♪ ♪ And I saw above me that endless skyway ♪ ♪ I saw below me that golden valley ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ I roamed and rambled and I followed my footsteps ♪ ♪ To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts ♪ ♪ All around me a voice was sounding ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ When the sun comes shining ♪ ♪ Then I was strolling ♪ ♪ And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling ♪ ♪ A voice come chanting as the fog was lifting ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ This land is your land ♪ ♪ This land is my land ♪ ♪ From California to the New York Island ♪ ♪ From Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ ♪ This land was made for you and me ♪ (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Come on, here we go.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Come on, they're so sweet.

(attendees chattering off-mic) >>It's girl time.

>>Please welcome members of Virginia's 11 Indian tribes as they present a blessing dance to honor Governor Spanberger and bless the Capitol grounds with best wishes for successful administration and stronger ties between Virginia's indigenous people and the Commonwealth.

(attendees cheering and applauding) As part of the tradition, all those able to stand are asked to do so during the blessing dance.

(jingles clinking) >>Good afternoon.

My name is Stephen Atkins.

I'm Chief of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, and I offer now a blessing on these grounds.

I'm deviating from a traditional blessing.

I think the times call for the words that I have to say.

Father, Creator, we seek your blessings on this very land on which we gather today.

On the people who are gathered to witness this historic occasion, to the incoming Abigail Spanberger administration, to the General Assembly that convened on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026.

Father, we remember the blood of our Native forefathers that stained these very grounds as they fought to protect the land and its people from the European invaders.

Father, we also remember the Native warriors and the multicolored warriors who fought to protect and to keep the freedom of this land to protect it from tyranny.

Many wars have been fought and our Native people fought hand in hand with our Black and white brothers.

Father, we look to the scriptures and see that leaders of old reached out to you and you replied.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, they will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin.

And I'll heal their land."

Father, we ask you to do just that today.

Cause us to recognize our need to embrace humility, to repent and welcome the healing of our land, even the healing of these very grounds on which we stand.

Creator, we seek your blessings on this land.

We ask that your light illuminate our respective paths and give us the courage to fight against evil and discrimination, to seek peace and justice and liberty for all.

To acknowledge our commonalities, to value and learn from our differences and to strive to work together.

Father, we believe that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As we look around us, we see brothers and sisters made in your very image.

So as fellow human beings made in your image, let us live in a way that actualizes that fact day in and day out.

Father, again, bless these lands.

Bless this plot of land on which we're standing today.

Father bless the Commonwealth of Virginia, it's leadership.

And Father, we ask that you bless these United States of America.

In your name we pray, Aho.

(drum resonating) (dancers chanting and vocalizing) (jingles clinking) (dancers chanting and vocalizing) (dancers chanting and vocalizing) (dancers chanting and vocalizing) (drum resonating) (dancers chanting and vocalizing) (artists chanting and vocalizing) (jingles clinking) (artists chanting and vocalizing) (attendees cheering and applauding) (attendees cheering and applauding) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>The Senator from Chesapeake, Senator Craig.

>>Mr.

President, (indistinct).

>>As many as favor the motion will say aye.

>>Aye.

>>Those opposed will say no.

The motion is agreed to.

The Senator from Fairfax, Senator Celine.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>(indistinct) Joint Assembly adjournment sine die.

>>As many as favor the motion will say aye.

>>Aye.

>>Those opposed will say no.

The motion is agreed to.

The Joint Assembly has adjourned sine die (gavel thudding) (Don laughing) That was dangerous.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Please be advised that the House and Senate will adjourn their respective Houses separately from the portico to meet again Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

Now, on behalf of the General Assembly, I invite each of you to stay and view the Inaugural Parade.

I request that everyone remain seated.

The parade will begin momentarily.

(attendees applauding) >>Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for the inauguration of the 75th Governor of Virginia and the 2026 Inaugural Parade.

I'm your parade announcer, a born and raised Virginia, Andrew Freiden, "12 On Your Side" morning meteorologist here in Central Virginia.

The good news here is the rain is over, so if you have a poncho on, feel free to just rip it off and stick it in your pocket.

And if we're lucky, the sun will come out soon.

Today's parade is an impressive display of the talent and beauty from every corner of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

And a celebration of the theme of this year's inauguration: United for Virginia's Future.

We are starting the 2026 Inaugural Parade with the Virginia National Guard.

(attendees cheering) Composed to both the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, this is a dedicated team of Citizen Soldiers, and airmen who serve both our Commonwealth and our nation.

The Virginia Guard entrusted with a dual mission to provide a combat reserve for the US Army and US Air Force to support National Defense and a state mission that answers the call of the Governor to defend the Commonwealth.

These Virginians train year-round to stay ready, blending specialized skills from civilian careers into uniform services.

Virginia Citizen Soldier heritage traces back to the earliest colonial militant tradition with roots in Jamestown and service to the country in 1607.

And they went faster than I thought they would.

But Brigadier General Charles Martin Jr.

and Command Sergeant Major Timothy Hawley of Virginia Army National Guard Command team, they are leading a marching formation of soldiers and airmen and a joint color guard representing the Virginia Army and Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force.

(attendees cheering) Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Founded in 1839, VMI located in Lexington about two and a half hours west of Richmond in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley is the nation's first state supported military college.

The Corps of Cadets is nearly 1500 strong.

And I should mention they are by far the largest part of our parade.

Don't worry everybody else won't be this large.

The Corps of Cadets is nearly 1500 strong, nine rifle companies, the Regimental Band Company.

And according to the U.S.

News & World Report, VMI ranked fourth among public liberal arts colleges in the entire country.

(attendees cheering and applauding) On average, more than 50% of each graduating class pursues commissions into the armed forces.

And if you're ever announcing a parade in the future, make sure you get out of their way 'cause these guys are really giving me the business.

The Governor of Virginia serves as the core Commander in Chief.

(martial music) Governor Spanberger, you have a better view than I do.

How many more are coming down the pike here?

(attendees laughing) >>Oh my God.

(martial music) >>I think they're wrapping around the Governor's spot here so they can get on a few times.

CBN?

>>No.

No.

(attendees chattering off-mic) (martial music) >>We'll just do it again for the guys who didn't hear at the back here, the ladies and women following at the end.

Let's hear it for the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And now Virginia Women's Institute of Leadership at Mary Baldwin University.

(attendees cheering and applauding) VWIL is a successful 30-year public private partnership.

VWIL is the nation's only all female corps of cadets integrating academics, fitness, leadership development, ethics and military training.

VWIL 55% of their graduates commissioned as officers in every branch of the US Armed Forces.

(martial music) Cadets live by the values of truth, duty and honor.

Representing Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, please welcome the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership and Mary Baldwin University Marching Band.

(attendees cheering and applauding) The Commander of cadets, retired Air Force Brigadier General Theresa Djuric and the VWIL Corps of Cadets are honored to salute you, Governor Spanberger, the new Commander of the Virginia Corps of Cadets.

Part of any integral visit to the Colonial Williamsburg, it's the Fifes and Drum Corps.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (martial music) So why do these musicians wear red coats with blue facings?

It is to distinguish them from the combatants and make it easier for their commanding officers to find them just as Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drums do today.

In the colonial era, military field music served as a communication system that ordered the soldiers day and sent vital communications through the chaos of battle.

Today this group is composed of high school aged children who began their education and music drill and history as early as 10 years old.

Let's hear it for the Continental Army during the American Revolution, the field musicians of the Fife and Drum Corps.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Next.

(martial music) Led by our Honor Guard to present colors in celebration of today's inauguration, we have members of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters.

(attendees cheering and applauding) With 67 local unions, the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters boast more than 10,000 members.

Here with us today are career professional firefighters from across the Commonwealth.

And let's hear it for your region here, Northern Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Hampton Roads.

(attendees cheering and applauding) The Greater Richmond Area.

(attendees cheering and applauding) The Roanoke region and the Shenandoah Valley.

(attendees cheering and applauding) These professional firefighters are dedicated to serving their communities.

The Honor Guard will now present colors in celebration of today's inaugural events.

And now let's hear it for VAPBA, a nonprofit organization representing nearly 11,000 law enforcement professionals across the Commonwealth.

(attendees cheering and applauding) It's the active law enforcement officers from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association.

(attendees cheering and applauding) They serve as a unified voice of Virginia's law enforcement officers.

Were joined today by law enforcement officers who protect communities across the Commonwealth, including the James City County Police Department, Fairfax County Police Department, Norfolk Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, Alexandria Police Department, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, and Virginia State Police.

The active law enforcement officers from the Virginia Police Benevolent Association.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Oh, this is a good one.

This is a group that I've been proud to listen to and to cheer for over the years.

Ladies and gentlemen, representing Governor Spanberger's, Governor Gilmore's and my daughter's alma mater in Henrico County, the J.R.

Tucker High School marching tigers.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (ceremonial music) The J.R.

Tucker of Marching Tigers perform under the direction of Austin Frank, supported by staff members Michael Williams, Sadie Wirt, Lily Morris, Price Harden and Lauren Jones.

Today the Marching Tigers celebrate their pride in one of their distinguished alumni, Governors Spanberger, and share their Tiger spirit.

Go Tigers!

(attendees cheering and applauding) Now we're joined by the Commonwealth's largest and longest serving education union, the Virginia Education Association.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Members work every day in our public schools as classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, administrators, technology specialists and much more.

These educators have devoted their careers to Virginia's next generation.

The VEA members look forward to working with Governor Spanberger to make sure Virginia schools stay the best in the country.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Are you ready?

The reigning CIAA National Step Champions, Virginia State University's National Pan Hellenic Council All Star Step team.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) (indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) >>This is a serious matter!

Yes!

A very serious matter!

Yes!

Yes!

(indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) (indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) (indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) >>4-9-2-2!

(feet stamping and hands clapping) (indistinct rhythmic chanting) (feet stamping and hands clapping) >>N-P-H-C!

(feet stamping and hands clapping) N-P-H-C!

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>This elite team features members of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities at VSU expressing themselves and their culture through the art of stepping.

Known for their powerful performances, the step performance entertainers embody precision, rhythm, passion and power to deliver high energy performances.

(feet stamping and hands clapping) >>Woo-woo!

Yes!

(feet stamping and hands clapping) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for the VSU National Pan-Hellenic Council All-Star Step Team.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And coming up next, a huge round of applause for the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) The the girls participating in this year's Inaugural Parade hail from multiple councils in many troops across the Commonwealth.

The Girl Scout's mission is to develop girls of courage, confidence and character that make the world a better place.

These girls are change makers who will become future leaders of their communities, maybe even serving as a future Governor of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Governor Spanberger, quick question, how many boxes of thin mints can we put you down for?

(crowd laughing) (attendees chattering off-mic) Time now to celebrate the Commonwealth's world-class universities and top-notch athletic programs from every corner of Virginia.

Let's hear it for the mascots from Virginia's public universities.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Can I hear it from Captain Chris from Christopher Newport University?

(attendees cheering and applauding) The James Madison University's Duke Dog.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Let's hear it For Elwood from Longwood University.

Oh snap!

(attendees cheering and applauding) Old Dominion University's Big Blue.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Ratford University's Highlander.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Next is the William & Mary Griffin.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And although the Governor and her husband have love for all of the mascots, just like me, I think they have a soft spot in their heart for the University of Virginia CavMan.

(attendees cheering and applauding) The University of Mary Washington's Sammy D. Eagle.

(attendees cheering and applauding) VCU's Rodney the Ram.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Virginia Military Institutes Moe the Kangaroo, and the Virginia State University's Trojan.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Was Norfolk State in there too?

>>Yeah!

>>Yes!

>>Oh my goodness.

First of all, never correct me unless I'm wrong, which happens.

Can we hear it for the Norfolk State University?

(attendees cheering and applauding) Oh, the Norfolk University Spartan.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Oh, we got tough crowd behind me.

Don't get me on this pronunciation.

I've been practicing all week on this one.

Now please join me in welcoming the Washington Sorichung Korean Traditional Music Institute and Hasang Korean School Chamorro dance team.

(attendees cheering and applauding) These educational and artistic organizations educate people on Korean traditional music.

The traditional Korean dance team's performers, ranging from first to ninth grade, are passionate about exploring the Korean language and dedicated to preserving Korean heritage.

These students are here to perform the Buchaechum fan dance, one of Korea's most iconic traditional art forms.

Through the graceful movement of vibrant fans, this performance will create the imagery of blooming flowers and rolling waves.

(attendees chattering off-mic) (artist singing in foreign language) (artists singing in foreign language) (artists singing in foreign language) (attendees cheering and applauding) (artists singing in foreign language) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Let's hear it for the Hasang Korean School dance team.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Now and now join me in welcoming park managers, visitor experience specialists, park rangers, and additional staff from Virginia's State Parks.

(attendees cheering and applauding) with us today, in dress uniform, we have representatives from more than a dozen state parks across the Commonwealth from Appomattox to Westmoreland.

Virginia's many state parks offer more than 700 miles of trails and convenient access to Virginia's major waterways, beaches, picnic shelters, lodges, meeting facilities, festivals, concerts, nature programs, cultural happenings.

The list goes on.

Ladies and gentlemen, I've been told that Governor Spanberger, if you mention her name, when you make your next reservation at a cabin, you'll get a 0% discount at Virginia State Parks.

Everyone join me in celebrating Virginia's beautiful public lands and the Virginians who help us enjoy them.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Get ready, ladies and gentlemen, and let's get a huge round of applause for the Richmond Public Schools All-City Marching Band.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (whistle blowing) >>RPS!

(whistle blowing) RPS!

(ceremonial music) (band chanting) (ceremonial music) ♪ No matter what they say ♪ ♪ You know we got this shit oh, oh, oh ♪ (artist vocalizing) >>I believe that was warm up, ladies and gentlemen.

Oh, we know what the word is.

This band tonight, students from all the RPS high schools: John Marshall, Huguenot, Thomas Jefferson and Armstrong and the Richmond School for the Arts.

The band directors, John Reynolds, Nat Boyle, Norman Patroy advertise (indistinct).

This ensemble has performed in parades throughout Richmond, Hampton Roads, Petersburg and the surrounding areas.

Their hard work, dedication and unity represents the spirit of Richmond Public Schools.

Let's hear it from the Richmond All-City Marching Band.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (drums resonating) Now I was told to have a little fun.

So instead of just announcing NASA, let's do an old fashioned Blastoff countdown.

We'll count down.

Let's do it from five together.

In five, four, three, two, one.

The Blastoff.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Here comes NASA.

NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity and inspires the world through discovery.

Marching today are the dedicated employees and interns.

Where are the interns at?

(attendees cheering and applauding) At NASA's Langley Research Center, where trailblazing research and aerospace technology development have shaped the future of flight, space exploration and science for more than a hundred years.

This year marks our historic milestone as NASA prepares for the launch of Artemis II, the first mission in more than 50 years to carry a crew of four astronauts around the moon, building the foundation for the first crew missions to Mars.

Ladies and gentlemen, from Wallops Island and Langley's facilities, let's hear it for NASA.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (artists singing in foreign language) >>Ladies and gentlemen, the Cultural Center of India, Bollywood Dancer.

(artist singing in foreign language) >>Now, I know the music started, but I think we're gonna have you perform once you get stopped in the middle.

So just a quick note here.

We will get a stationary performance in a moment.

The Cultural Center of India is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving India's rich heritage while promoting unity through community service, arts and cultural events.

This group led by CCI Board Mentor and Cultural Chair, Vandie Chopra, proudly represents the vibrant Indian American community of Virginia.

Featuring colorful traditional attire, music and dances from across India, this group celebrates diversity and cultural pride.

Their presence reflects the spirit of inclusion, service and togetherness that strengthens the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Are we gonna try a one minute performance or no?

You wanna see a performance?

I think we'd have to re-rack the audio for that to happen.

Those of you in the dance, look at me over here.

Do you wanna do it or are we moving on?

>>Let's do it.

>>I don't know if they can hear me.

All right, now let's go.

(chuckles) (artist singing in foreign language) (artist singing in foreign language) (artist singing in foreign language) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Ladies and gentlemen, a huge Virginia is for Lovers round of applause for the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

(attendees cheering and applauding) One of the most iconic and recognizable travel brands in the world.

Since its launch in 1969 has been a beloved symbol of Virginia's welcoming character and enduring appeal.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation promotes the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination by showcasing all there is to love in a Virginia vacation.

Visitor spending fuels local economies, supports jobs, and helps strengthen communities across Virginia, uniting us for a bright and prosperous future.

Let's give a huge inauguration round of applause for the Virginia Tourism Corporation.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Just curious, which weatherman that is currently announcing this told you the sun was gonna come out?

(attendees cheering and applauding) Um, I think it was me.

Now from Southwest Virginia, the Crooked Roads Marching String Band.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Tony, they trying to get a picture of you over here.

The Crooked Road, Virginia's heritage music trail winds over 300 miles through the hills of Southwest Virginia.

This musical road trip showcases the State's historic ties to country and bluegrass music by connecting 10 major venues and more than 40 affiliated jam sessions, festivals and square dances.

The Crooked Road is home to hundreds of old time and bluegrass musicians.

Right now we're looking at just a small portion of the talent from the Crooked Roads Marching Street Band.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Let's get moving.

Come on.

Don't be shy.

Governor Spanberger and her husband wanna catch the end of the UVA basketball game, so let's speed it up a little.

Next, let's hear it for the All-Dulles Area Muslim Society Scouts.

(attendees cheering and applauding) ADAMS Scouts are young Virginians from multiple scouting America and Girl Scouts troops.

The ADAMS Center several hundred Muslim American scouts focus on duty to God and country through faith, service and civic engagement.

These scouts will now be reciting the Scouting America Oath and the Girl Scouts Promise >>Councilors, the Governor Abigail Spanberger, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, and Attorney General Jay Jones.

Two.

Scout Oath.

>>On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

>>Two.

>>On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

(attendees cheering and applauding) >>Let's hear it, ladies and gentlemen, for the All-Dulles Area Muslim Society Scouts.

(attendees applauding) Bringing together LGBTQ people, organizations, and allies across the Commonwealth.

(attendees cheering and applauding) To celebrate Virginia's LGBTQ community, we have Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Celebrating the theme, We Belong Here, building a stronger LGBTQ community.

These organizations work to affirm that LGBTQ Virginians are a vibrant thread in the fabric of this Commonwealth, and build a stronger, more inclusive Virginia for us all.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Ladies and gentlemen, a huge round of applause for Diversity Richmond and Virginia Pride.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Only four more groups are left.

Only four more groups are left.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Expomundo USA and the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (artists singing in foreign language) Expomundo is a cultural platform dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich folkloric traditions of Latin America and the world.

Parade participants are proudly showcasing cultural diversity through traditional attire, music and artistic representation from different countries united one international celebration.

The organization promotes cultural pride, unity and the beauty of our shared heritage symbolizing the idea of breaking borders through folklore.

(artists singing in foreign language) (artists singing in foreign language) >>Let's give it up for Central Virginia's premier adaptive sports club, Sportable.

(attendees cheering and applauding) One of central Virginia's premier adaptive sports clubs.

They make sports, recreation, health and wellness accessible and inclusive for individuals with physical disabilities, visual impairments, and those requiring physical accommodations.

Sportable offers more than 20 different adaptive programs ranging from wheelchair sports to cycling, archery, rock climbing and many more.

Sportable's showcasing some of the various adaptive equipment utilized in programming represented by our staff and athletes.

And a personal note, do not challenge a Sportable athlete to a pickleball match.

Trust me on this.

Let's give a huge round of applause for Sportable.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And now let's welcome students plus two horses from Virginia 4-H.

(attendees cheering and applauding) 4-H is America's largest youth development organization, empowering nearly 6 million young people with the life skills they need to be beyond ready.

Virginia's home to more than 200,00 4-H youth between the ages of five and 19, who participate in more than 200 project areas focused on the pillars of agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living and STEM.

Representing Virginia's 4-H today are youth leaders from the Virginia 4-H Cabinet, Virginia 4-H horse ambassadors, Virginia 4-H livestock ambassadors.

And not mentioned on my script, but I think most important, the lady with the bucket behind the horses.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Let's go.

Let's hear it for Virginia 4-H.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Joining us now, students from Virginia's Career and Technical Student organizations.

(attendees cheering and applauding) These student-led groups support students in developing leadership, technical and career-ready skills through competitions, conferences and community service.

Represented in this group today are Virginia's associations of DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, HOSA, Future Health Professionals, Skills USA, the Technology Student Association and Virginia FFA Officers.

Together, Career and Technical Student Organizations, connect classroom learning to rearward careers while building teamwork, professionalism, and leadership.

A huge round of applause for Virginia's Career and Technical Student Organizations.

(attendees cheering and applauding) And are you ready to close out the parade?

(attendees cheering and applauding) A quick personal note, Governor Spanberger, thank you so much for inviting me to be here today.

Again, my name is Andrew Freiden.

I was born in Virginia, raised in Virginia.

Never thought that I'd get an opportunity like this.

I really appreciate it.

Closing out the 2026 Inaugural Parade, we have the Spartan Legion Marching Band from Norfolk State University.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Be hold, the green and gold.

This award-winning performance group has performed for Barack Obama, Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams, and let's add a Governor Abigail Spanberger.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (ceremonial music) Performing one of the Governor's favorites, "We are Family."

(ceremonial music) This a family time to dance, everybody.

Who wanna dance?

Give it to me.

(ceremonial music) ♪ We are family ♪ ♪ I got all my sisters with me ♪ ♪ We are family ♪ ♪ Get up everybody and sing with me ♪ ♪ We are family, got all my brothers and sisters with me ♪ (ceremonial music) (attendees cheering and applauding) >>Ladies and gentlemen, this has been your 2026 Inaugural Parade to celebrate the inauguration of the 75th Governor of Virginia, Abigail Spanberger.

(attendees cheering and applauding) Thank you for being here today.

Please get home safely and come back tomorrow when the Governor and First Gentlemen welcome Virginians to the Executive Mansion from 2:00 to 4:00.

Let's give a huge round of applause for everybody here and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.

(attendees cheering and applauding) (ceremonial music) (attendees chattering off-mic) >>You've been watching VPM's special coverage of the inauguration for the newly sworn-in Governor of Virginia, Abigail Spanberger.

I'm Keyris Manzanares.

>>And I'm Billy Shields.

We've just watched the Inaugural Parade, which streamed through the Capitol Square following the inauguration ceremony.

The parade featured over 25 groups from around different parts of the Commonwealth.

>>And joining us today is Randolph-Macon College political science professor and host of VPM's podcast, "RVA's Got Issues," Rich Meagher.

Thank you for being with us, Rich.

>>It's Great to be back with you here again, Keyris and Billy.

>>Rich, let's talk about Governor Spanberger's speech.

What's your off the top takeaway from what the Governor had to say?

>>It's unsurprising.

It was a call for unity, right?

It's a usual kind of plea from an elected official.

They've just won a maybe bruising election and they want to bring everyone together that they represent.

So I think it was very clear that Governor Spanberger, now Governor Spanberger wants the Commonwealth, everyone in Virginia to think of her as her Governor.

Of course, that will be the challenge over the next few years, is to win over opponents to make sure that her coalition stays strong.

But I do think she's trying to reach out to everyone and say, I will be the governor for everyone here.

>>I mean, it was a remarkable opening where she took a look back at history, historical Virginians and historical events.

I mean, we went from Patrick Henry to L. Douglas Wilder.

What are some important things that that she referred to that struck you?

>>Yeah, I love the history lesson, you know, as a professor and a teacher.

For her to look to the past and refer to these moments, it's a thing we do in Virginia often to kind of look backwards and incorporate that into what we talk about.

But I thought interesting figures that she chose, right?

Certainly Patrick Henry as someone who is a founding father kind of era person, but also Martin Luther King and Doug Wilder, it seemed clear to me that in acknowledging the historic nature of her own role as the first woman to be Governor of Virginia, she was claiming the civil rights tradition and placing herself within that tradition and saying that, look, this is a continuation of this kind of advancement of rights.

And that suggests a kind of frame she wants to put around her governorship as someone who is trying to push inclusion and rights forward.

One final thing I'd say about history is I love the fact that she explained what a commonwealth is and why we call ourselves a commonwealth rather than just a state.

So I appreciate just the vocabulary lesson that she provided as well.

>>Rich, could you recap for us what were some of the major themes in her speech?

>>Yeah, I think again, that idea of unity, of course the look at history just in terms of policy, I think she obviously stayed very general.

This is not a policy speech, but she does wanna signal some of the things she cares about.

And I counted four things: affordability, education, economy, security.

And these are sort of big ticket issues that of course most people can get behind.

Who doesn't like education, who doesn't care about affordability, particularly after this year and this election that we've had?

So I think she was signaling some of the things she will try to do in terms of policy.

Of course, the devil is gonna be in the details and we'll see what actual orders she goes in to sign and what bills come out of the legislature over the next few weeks and months.

>>You know, and as we know, Democrats hold control right now over the state legislature, but Spanberger has a reputation of working across the aisle.

Did she include any signals in her speech about how she planned to operate as Governor?

>>I think that she, I don't know that she conveyed clearly what she would do, but certainly nothing that has contradicted her vibe over her career and in the campaign last year, which is, it's not about conflict, it's about competence, it's about problem solving, it's about getting to a solution and it's about working across the aisle.

Now, that has served her well in her career in Congress.

That helped get her into the position she is now.

It does sometimes produce some critique from within her own party, particularly from Progressives, folks on the left.

So I suspect that based on the language of unity she used today, she's gonna try to move that forward as well.

We'll see if her opponents in the legislature and perhaps opponents in the national government allow her to do that.

>>Rich, this administration represents a lot of firsts.

For Spanberger, sure, but also for Hashmi, also for Jones.

We talked about this a lot at the beginning before the inauguration ceremony and then the speech goes on and Spanberger made almost no reference to it.

What do you make of that?

>>Yeah, it's an interesting moment.

And to contrast it with Governor Glenn Youngkin's inauguration speech where he did acknowledge the historic candidacy and victory for Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears at the time, and Jason Miyares, who were historically first people to take the positions that they had.

And it was interesting that Governor Spanberger in an inauguration speech that acknowledged history so centrally did not acknowledge the historical nature of those other two candidacies.

I suspect, and obviously I have no inner knowledge about this, that the nature of the Jay Jones scandal that tainted his victory last year in the Democrat's victory overall in the Commonwealth last year, might still, I don't wanna say that Jay Jones is toxic, and clearly got a huge ovation when he was introduced here, but there's a little bit of radioactivity there and I just wonder if maybe Spanberger wants to make some distance between her and the Attorney General right now and that maybe Hashmi is collateral damage in that kind of political dynamic.

And it suggests again that as much as we love the ceremony here today and the call for unity, there's still politics underneath it all and may infect some of these decisions about what gets included in the speech and what does not.

>>And you know, she didn't mention President Donald Trump by name during the speech, but she did talk about the, quote, "recklessness of policies coming out of DC."

How do you expect the relationship between the two leaders to unfold?

>>I do think that it's likely that that decision, how that relationship will actually shake out, is a decision that will be made in Washington.

My sense of this incoming administration here in Virginia is they're not looking for a fight with the federal government, but they will fight back if need be.

And Spanberger certainly in acknowledging the national picture without specifically calling anyone out there, I think is signaling that she is ready to defend Virginia in the ways that she feels are important.

And there are some signs from the Trump administration that they're at least aware of this big democratic victory here last fall and that this new administration is here.

For example, you know, the Secretary of Defense or War and whatever term you wanna use, Pete Hegseth, was in Virginia recently.

There's some suggestion that ICE enforcement activity may have been stepped up over the last few days.

It's possibly a signal from the administration.

We're not sure.

So if the Trump administration comes looking for a fight, I think that Abigail Spanberger is going to stand tall and want to defend and fight back for what she feels like is important for Virginia.

>>Rich, we spoke earlier about executive orders and some of Spanberger's first actions upon taking office.

Based on what you heard today, did you pick up any hints as to what some of the first things that Spanberger might do later on today would be, >>Yeah, you don't build Roman a day, so it's hard to know what emphasis she'll pick.

But I do think, again, those four kind of broad policy themes she pointed to towards the end of the speech, right, affordability, education, economy, and security suggest some of the sort of big themes and watch what she's gonna be governing towards.

And you know, there's a lot of symbolism in these first day executive orders, but there are limits to what you can do on your first day.

So I think she'll probably nod towards at least a couple of those themes in some of the things she'll sign today.

It could be the case, however, that she might pick one of them.

Again, that affordability word is so important for the Democrats right now, for Governor Spanberger and for sort of delivering on the promise that she felt like she made last fall, that I think that might dominate some of the orders and actions that she takes immediately upon entering office.

>>And Rich, for people who were gathered here today and for those watching at home, how do you think this speech will be remembered?

>>I hate to say not at all, but the details of the speech I think are less important than the historic nature of the occasion.

I think the images, particularly her stunning white outfit and the triumphant and sort of joyous occasion, I think will matter more to the people here than the specific words of the speech.

And we'll remember this moment for the ceremony of it, I think more than the details.

>>Any other thoughts about today?

>>I think this, this moment is important.

As much as I might say, well, the words don't matter.

This signaling the transfer of power, it's what we do in democracy and it needs this kind of pomp and circumstance.

Rituals are important and they do convey to both the folks who are here and to all the folks in the Commonwealth that something new is happening, something different, and that we should pay attention.

>>Well, thank you, Rich, for all of your insights here today.

Let's go over what's happening later this inaugural weekend.

As we've mentioned, Governor Spanberger is expected to sign her first executive orders from the Governor's Conference Room in the Capitol building at about three o'clock today.

>>After official business, it'll be time for a little celebration.

Tonight, the first couple will host a ticketed ball at Main Street Station.

Then tomorrow the Spanberger will open the doors of the Governor's Mansion to the public.

For two hours, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM visitors are welcome to walk through the historic home and greet Abigail and Adam Spanberger.

>>Now this is on a first come, first served basis.

And the lines are likely to be long, so make sure to get here early and that you're bundled up because we're expecting temperatures in the thirties and possibly some afternoon snow.

>>(quivering) This concludes VPM's special coverage of Abigail Spanberger's inauguration as Virginia's 75th Governor.

Rich, thank you for joining us to help break down today's historic event.

>>It's been so great to be with you both.

Thank you.

>>And be assure to stay connected with "VPM News" throughout the 2026 General Assembly.

We'll have coverage from our state politics reporter, Jahd Khalil, as well as the whole "VPM News" staff who will be following the flurry of activity that is sure to be happening at the Capitol.

Visit vpm.org for that coverage and listen on the radio at 88.9 across Central Virginia.

Thank you for joining us at home.

I'm Keyris Manzanares.

>>And I'm Billy Shield.

Have a great Inauguration weekend.

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