The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger
Jan 17, 2026
Abigail Spanberger, the incoming governor of Virginia and former CIA officer, delves into her plans for tackling issues like cost of living and public safety. She shares her stance on maintaining trust in law enforcement, emphasizing the dangers of deploying unaccountable federal agents. Spanberger also highlights her bipartisan approach in Congress, her unexpected friendship with Chip Roy, and the importance of cooperation to pass effective legislation. With a mix of serious discussions and family anecdotes, she brings a relatable touch to her new role.
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Focus On Everyday Voter Concerns
- Voters prioritize practical issues like cost of living, education, and safety over partisan theatrics.
- Abigail Spanberger credits focusing on those everyday concerns for her decisive win in Virginia.
Relatable Family Moment Onstage
- Abigail Spanberger joked about her daughter Katherine not cleaning her room during the acceptance speech and the candid reply, "I'm working on it."
- The exchange humanized Spanberger and created a memorable, relatable campaign moment.
Trust Is Central To Effective Policing
- Spanberger draws on her law enforcement background to argue trust is essential for policing effectiveness.
- She warns that masked federal deployments erode that trust and hinder community safety work.