CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Gov. Abigail Spanberger addressed a joint session of the Virginia General Assembly for the first time in the role she was sworn into Saturday, pledging to tackle issues facing the Commonwealth in an effective and bipartisan way.

“When we work together, Virginia will succeed,” Spanberger said. “It’s as simple as that.”

During a focused 1:05 speech that was frequently paused for standing ovations from the Democratic majority in the chamber, Spanberger emphasized so-called kitchen table issues including affordability and access in housing, healthcare and education, and urged voters to support the four Constitutional amendments passed by the General Assembly last week.

That included challenging opponents of the redistricting amendment to voice their objections to the same efforts in other states.

“I trust the voters to get this one right,” Spanberger said.

Spanberger also pledged to work with the Trump administration when it would benefit Virginia but be unafraid to stand up to the federal government when its actions negatively impact the Commonwealth.

She said voters elected her to Richmond to work for the entire state.

“In November, voters sent us here with a clear message. Work together. Deliver results,” Spanberger said. “I heard that message and I hope you did too.”

Spanberger said she’s given Virginia agencies and departments 90 days to file reports on how they can help address affordability, from cutting costs to refining regulations.

“We cannot wait,” Spanberger said.

She announced she’s established a commission focused on “unlocking housing production,” and a task force to help Virginia prepare for and respond to federal funding cuts.

She urged the Assembly to pass her Affordable Virginia Agenda, which includes measures to address the cost of healthcare and prescription medication, invest in the Commonwealth’s healthcare workforce, lower monthly utility costs, protect renters and support builders who build affordable homes.

Spanberger said she would rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

She pledged support for Virginia’s farmers dealing with the impact of Trump’s tariffs, and for veterans struggling to find jobs. Spanberger praised Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s success in the area of economic development, work she plans to build on.

“I intend for Virginia to dominate,” she said.

Spanberger reaffirmed her campaign vow not to repeal Virginia’s status as a right to work state, her only remarks on the day that drew an obvious mixed reaction from the Democrat-dominated chamber. But she brought the members to their feet again when she promised to raise the minimum wage and create a statewide paid family and medical leave program.

“Being pro-business and being pro worker are not mutually exclusive,” she said.

In the Republican response, Sen. Glen Sturtevant Jr. and Del. Hillary Kent echoed the same themes of affordability and education, but Sturtevant criticized the redistricting amendment as a sign that Democrats were focused on things other than affordability.

“The Governor and Virginia Democrats may use the word affordability, but their actions tell a different story,” he said. “Their tax and spend agenda would cost Virginia families billions of dollars each year.”

Kent struck a more collaborative tone, calling the election of the Commonwealth’s first female Governor “historic.”

“The Governor expressed unity and noted that we should act together for Virginia’s future,” Kent said. “That’s a message we embrace and appreciate.”

The Assembly, where both the Senate and House are controlled by Democrats, went to work quickly in the new year, passing the four constitutional amendments for voters to consider in 2026. First, a temporary redistricting that would help Democrats offset Republican gains from a similar redistricting in Texas, is expected to go before voters in the spring.

In November’s statewide midterm elections, voters will consider three other amendments – one to enshrine marriage equity rights, one to protect access to abortion and one to restore voting rights for felons who have served their sentences.

On her first day, Spanberger signed 10 executive order, many focused on affordability issues. She also rescinded a Youngkin order that deputized Virginia law enforcement officers to assist ICE.

“Virginians did not elect me to pursue a particular idealogical agenda,” Spanberger said. “Nor did they elect me to settle scores or add noise to our politics. They did not elect me to grandstand.  My mandate is simple: To get things done for Virginia families, Virginia schools and our businesses, period.”