Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s approval rating has fallen underwater six months into her first term, according to a statewide poll released Wednesday, which also found that more Virginians believe the commonwealth is headed in the wrong direction than in the right one.
The Summer 2026 Commonwealth Poll, released Wednesday by Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, found 44% of registered voters approve of the job Spanberger is doing as governor, while 47% disapprove. Nine percent said they were unsure.
Voters cited economic concerns as their top issue.
Spanberger took office nearly six months ago and has experienced a tumultuous ride as Democrats have taken some losses on the legal front. The redistricting movement, ultimately overturned by the Virginia Supreme Court, was a blow to the Democratic momentum that had led Spanberger to a 15-point victory in November.
Additionally, infighting between the House and Senate over a final budget — leading to a near-state government shutdown — did not reflect well on Democrats, who currently control all aspects of state government.
“The governor is beginning to experience the realities of governing,” Wilder said in a statement. “The honeymoon appears to be over.”
The poll also found Virginians are pessimistic about the direction of the commonwealth. Forty-seven percent said Virginia is headed in the wrong direction, compared with 39% who said it is headed in the right direction. Fourteen percent were undecided.
Inflation and the cost of living remained voters’ top concern, with 30% identifying it as the most important issue facing Virginia. Political extremism or threats to democracy ranked second at 12%, followed by housing affordability at 11%, government spending and taxes at 8%, and K-12 education at 7%.
“While public opinion may differ on individual issues, the results reflect broad concern about the direction of the commonwealth and the economic pressures confronting Virginia families,” Wilder said.
The survey also found voters continue to express skepticism about Virginia’s incentives for the data center industry, an issue that has been increasingly prominent in Richmond.
Seventy-two percent of registered voters said they oppose the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, while just 19% support it. An additional 9% said they were unsure. The poll also found 81% believe data center operators should be required to pay for the additional strain their facilities place on the state’s electric grid.
“These findings suggest that Virginians are paying attention to the issues that matter most in their daily lives,” Wilder said. “The message from the people is unmistakable: Public trust is earned through leadership that listens, governance that delivers and results that improve the lives of all Virginians.”
The Commonwealth Poll surveyed 809 registered Virginia voters between June 22 and July 6. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.66 percentage points.