Woke Governor STEALS CREDIT For Predecessor’s $7B Deal

New Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger ignited a firestorm by claiming credit for $7.1 billion in investments and 3,250 jobs that her Republican predecessor Glenn Youngkin had already locked in—what happens when political spin collides with cold, hard facts?

Story Snapshot

Spanberger signed bipartisan bills in April 2026 authorizing deals announced in 2025 under Youngkin.
Companies like Avio USA, Hitachi Energy, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca praised Youngkin’s team for their vision.
Conservative critics labeled her announcement “pathetic” credit-grabbing amid her 47% approval rating.
Youngkin’s term secured a record $156 billion in commitments, dwarfing prior governors.
Virginia wins jobs in aerospace, energy, and pharma, but partisan rivalry exposes the timing dispute.

Investments Announced Under Youngkin

Glenn Youngkin’s administration secured commitments from four major companies in 2025. Avio USA pledged $537 million for 1,500 jobs building rocket motors in Pittsylvania County’s Southern Virginia Multimodal Park. Hitachi Energy committed $457 million for 825 jobs producing electrical grid infrastructure in Halifax County. Eli Lilly announced $2 billion for 450 jobs manufacturing pharmaceutical ingredients in Goochland County. AstraZeneca followed with $4 billion for 500 jobs. Company CEOs explicitly thanked Youngkin for his energy and speed in negotiations.

Youngkin’s team reported $156 billion in total CEO commitments by term’s end—more than the previous six governors combined. Virginia’s one-term limit forced the 2025 transition to Democrat Abigail Spanberger. These deals emerged from Youngkin’s pro-business push amid national trends of companies seeking incentives, skilled workers, and infrastructure.

Spanberger Signs the Bills

Spanberger signed four bipartisan bills in early April 2026: HB1531/SB835 for Avio USA, HB799/SB403 for Hitachi Energy, HB800/SB404 for Eli Lilly, and a related measure for AstraZeneca. Her press release touted $7.1 billion in investments and 3,250 jobs as core achievements of her administration. She emphasized creating a “stable business environment” for companies to hire and expand. The General Assembly passed the bills unanimously, finalizing incentives as a procedural step post-announcement.

Spanberger’s February 2026 announcement highlighted the Avio USA deal as an early win. Her “Growing Virginia Plan” mirrors Youngkin’s focus on workforce, infrastructure, and affordability. Yet her office omitted any mention of Youngkin, framing the momentum as hers alone despite the prior negotiations.

Conservative Backlash Erupts

Fox News, Washington Free Beacon, and WFMD branded Spanberger’s move “pathetic” on April 9, 2026. 7News DC reporter Nick Minock posted on X noting all announcements predated her tenure. Critics contrasted her 47% approval—per Washington Post-Schar poll, below historical averages—with Youngkin’s economic record. Republicans weaponized the incident as hypocritical credit theft, aligning with common-sense accountability over partisan spin.

OF COURSE: New Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Takes Credit for Investments Secured by Her Republican Predecessor Glenn Youngkin https://t.co/xGYgTyu98g #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit

— Ruggedindividualist (@TonyBRebel) April 10, 2026

Spanberger’s office offered no response to media inquiries as backlash peaked April 9-10. Neutral outlets like Daily Progress acknowledged the deals originated with her predecessor. Her claim of $580 million newly announced under her term highlights a narrower scope, but the $7.1 billion package draws the loudest fire.

Impacts on Virginia’s Economy and Politics

Pittsylvania, Halifax, and Goochland counties gain 3,250 jobs in rural areas, boosting rocket production, grid tech, and pharma manufacturing. Avio’s facility marks the second-largest in Southern Virginia history. Short-term, Republicans gain fodder questioning her leadership; long-term, these projects solidify Virginia’s edge over North Carolina and Georgia in key sectors. Bipartisan passage underscores economic priorities transcending parties, yet the credit fight reveals deeper divides.