Spanberger inherits Virginia higher education power struggle | JQJO

Abigail Spanberger will enter the Virginia governor’s office amid an escalating fight over public universities, where Republican-appointed boards at UVA, George Mason and VMI have targeted leaders and diversity initiatives. With Democrats set to control the General Assembly and attorney general’s office, Spanberger has signaled support for overhauling board appointments and making college more affordable. Her allies expect her to resist a Trump administration pressure campaign that included a compliance pact with UVA and scrutiny of George Mason, while Republicans warn campuses will remain culture war battlegrounds and predict clashes with the Trump administration and the courts.