Governor Spanberger Fires Back at “Bond Villain” Rhetoric

In a high-stakes exchange highlighting the deepening partisan divide in Richmond, Governor Abigail Spanberger dismissed recent attacks from Republican critics as evidence that her “Affordable Virginia Agenda” is successfully disrupting the status quo.

A New York Times report published Monday, February 16, 2026, described a “fire” within the Virginia GOP, with some lawmakers resorting to colorful labels—calling the new Democratic governor a “witch,” a “Bond villain,” and “dangerous”—just one month after her inauguration.

The “Same as Mamdani” Comparison

State Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) led the charge in the Times report, comparing Spanberger to New York City’s new Democratic Socialist Mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

• Reeves’ Critique: “She’s the same thing as Mamdani in New York, except that Mamdani at least admits that he’s a socialist,” Reeves told the Times. He further graded the Governor with “an F for working across the aisle,” claiming she has been inaccessible to Republican colleagues.
• The Receipts: Spanberger responded to Reeves’ public “F” grade by pulling out her cellphone and scrolling through past private messages from the Senator. She noted that the “tone and tenor” of his public attacks differed “significantly” from his friendly, direct outreach to her office in early January.

Policy Flashpoints: ICE and Redistricting

The Republican backlash follows several swift executive and legislative actions taken by Spanberger during her first 30 days:

1. Ending ICE Cooperation: On February 4, Spanberger formally terminated Section 287(g) agreements that allowed Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections to assist in federal immigration enforcement. She argued the move restores “clarity and accountability” by focusing state resources on local public safety rather than federal civil immigration.
2. The “April Referendum” on Redistricting: On February 6, Spanberger signed legislation setting an April 21, 2026, statewide referendum. If approved by voters, the constitutional amendment would allow the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to redraw Virginia’s congressional map mid-decade.
   • The Stakes: Analysts suggest a new map could give Democrats an advantage in 10 of Virginia’s 11 districts, a significant shift from the current 6-to-5 margin.
   • Legal Battle: While a lower court initially blocked the referendum, the Virginia Supreme Court cleared the way for the vote to proceed on February 13, though a final ruling on the amendment’s legality is still pending.

Virginia’s Shifting Power Dynamic (Feb 2026)