The air in Richmond is crisp, and the vibe is electric. It isn't just another political handoff. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, history actually happened. Abigail Spanberger officially took the oath as Virginia’s 75th Governor. She's the first woman to ever hold the job in the Commonwealth's long, long history. It’s kinda wild when you think about it—Virginia has been around since 1607, and it took until 2026 to get a woman in the executive mansion.
But if you’re looking for who is attending inauguration ceremonies this week, the guest list tells a fascinating story about where the country is headed. It’s a mix of old-school political heavyweights, rising stars, and some local legends. Honestly, the crowd in Richmond felt like a glimpse into the future of the Democratic party, especially with the backdrop of the current federal administration in D.C.
The Heavy Hitters in Attendance
Spanberger’s inauguration wasn't just a local affair. Some of the biggest names in national politics made the trip to the Virginia State Capitol. We saw New Jersey Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and Maryland Governor Wes Moore. Seeing Moore and Spanberger together is interesting because they both represent a specific kind of pragmatic, veteran-led leadership that's gaining a lot of traction lately.
Then you had the U.S. Senate heavyweights. Elissa Slotkin and Adam Schiff were spotted in the crowd. Their presence basically signals that Spanberger is a major player on the national stage now. But for many Virginians, the most moving sight was seeing former Governor Douglas Wilder. He sat right behind Spanberger, and get this—it was his 95th birthday. Seeing the first Black governor of Virginia watch the first female governor take the oath? That’s the kind of stuff that gives you chills.
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Breaking Down the New Leadership Team
It wasn't just about Spanberger, though. The whole ticket that got sworn in is pretty historic. You’ve got Ghazala Hashmi as the new Lieutenant Governor. She’s the first Muslim woman to serve in statewide office in the U.S., which is a massive deal. She took her oath on a Quran. Then there’s Jay Jones, the new Attorney General. He’s the first Black person to hold that office in Virginia.
- Governor: Abigail Spanberger (First woman)
- Lieutenant Governor: Ghazala Hashmi (First Muslim woman in statewide office)
- Attorney General: Jay Jones (First Black AG)
Basically, the podium looked a lot different than it did four years ago.
The Vibe and the "Thinly Veiled" Digs
Inaugurations are usually full of "peaceful transfer of power" talk, and Spanberger did plenty of that. She thanked former Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin for their help during the transition. It was all very polite. But, she didn't hold back entirely.
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She made what most observers called a "thinly veiled dig" at the current president. She talked about the need for Virginians to "fix what was broken." Given that Virginia Democrats are now in full control while a Republican administration is running things just a few miles north in D.C., you can bet that "who is attending inauguration" will be a recurring question as these state leaders start to position themselves as the "loyal opposition."
What About the Big One in D.C.?
Now, I know some of you might be thinking about the other big event. We are just a few days away from the one-year anniversary of the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. If you remember that one, the guest list was... different. We had tech titans like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg sitting right on the dais. It was the first time we saw foreign leaders like Argentina's Javier Milei and Italy's Giorgia Meloni actually show up for a swearing-in.
Comparing the two is a trip. The federal side is leaning heavily into billionaire influencers and international populists. The state side, at least in Virginia right now, is leaning into "firsts"—first women, first Muslim leaders, first Black AGs. It’s like watching two different versions of America play out on two different stages.
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Why the Guest List Actually Matters
You might think, "Who cares who sits in the third row?" But in politics, who shows up is the ultimate signal. When you see someone like Adam Schiff or Wes Moore at a state-level inauguration, they aren't just there for the cake. They are building alliances. They are signaling to donors and voters that this is the team to watch.
If you're planning to attend an inauguration or even just watch one, pay attention to the "overflow rooms." In 2025, we saw people like Jake and Logan Paul and Theo Von in the "Emancipation Hall" overflow. That tells you who the administration wants to reach: the "bro" vote and the podcast crowd. In Richmond, the focus was clearly on the base and the institutional players.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re interested in following the shift in power, don't just watch the speeches. Look at the guest lists for the upcoming legislative sessions.
- Check the General Assembly Rosters: See which local leaders are aligned with the new Governor.
- Follow the State-Level Appointments: Spanberger is going to be filling a lot of seats. Who she picks for her cabinet will tell us more than any inaugural address.
- Watch the "Shadow Cabinet" in D.C.: Keep an eye on which governors are frequently visiting the White House—or pointedly avoiding it.
The 2026 political season is officially underway. Whether it’s in Richmond or D.C., the people in the room are the ones writing the next chapter. It's gonna be a wild ride.