KEYRIS MANZANARES: 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.

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER: We continue to break barriers and hopefully, you know, it's important to to have somebody be a first.

But what's more important is that many more people follow in those footsteps.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: Spanberger, a former CIA officer, federal lawmaker and mother of three, has built her career on national security expertise, bipartisan problem-solving and a penchant for retail politics.

Winning in competitive districts by appealing to voters across party lines.

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

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER: 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 the root causes of cost increases.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: When it comes the state [of] affordability, you know, you've said that you want to 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?

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER: 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 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.

KEYRIS MANZANARES: Spanberger is taking office with a full agenda centered on the affordability of housing, health care and energy.

As she leads the commonwealth forward, she wants Virginians to know... ABIGAIL SPANBERGER: Virginia is 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 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: Keyris Manzanares, VPM News.