GETTING THINGS DONE
Meet Abigail
Growing up with Virginia Values
Abigail’s parents raised her to believe in service: service to country and service to others. Her father served in the U.S. Army, went to school on the G.I. Bill, and became a career law enforcement officer. Her mother spent her early years in foster care, put herself through nursing school, and worked tirelessly — late nights and weekends — to care for her patients.
They set an example of service and hard work for Abigail and her two younger sisters. Abigail attended Virginia public schools, graduating from J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County and receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. She earned her MBA from a dual-degree program between Purdue University and the GISMA business school in Germany.
Keeping America Safe
Abigail followed in her father’s footsteps as a federal law enforcement officer. At the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Abigail worked federal narcotics and money laundering cases — regularly working with local police departments across Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. — investigated child predators, and arrested narcotics traffickers. She served search and arrest warrants, often as the only woman on the arrest team.
Abigail joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a Case Officer. At the CIA, she had one mission: protect and serve the United States of America. There, she worked undercover to understand the threats facing the United States, prevent terrorist attacks, counter the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and track transnational criminal organizations.
Getting Things Done
After serving her country, Abigail joined the private sector. But after the 2016 election, she saw division in our communities — and when her representative voted to repeal the healthcare coverage of hundreds of thousands of Virginians, she decided to run for Congress. Abigail became the first Democrat elected to serve Virginia’s Seventh District in the U.S. House in more than 50 years and the first woman to ever represent the district.
In Congress, Abigail was ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia. She led bipartisan efforts that were signed into law to prevent fentanyl overdoses, protect Virginia’s natural resources, and support Virginia’s Veterans. In 2022, the Washington Post editorial board said that Abigail “sponsored no-nonsense bipartisan legislation” and called her “ever independent-minded” — working to “increase federal funding for local police agencies to hire and train more officers and to empower Medicare to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs.” The Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked her as the most effective Member of Congress — in either chamber — on agriculture issues.
Raising a Family
Abigail and her husband Adam are the proud parents of three school-aged daughters in Virginia public schools. Her family enjoys spending time with nearby relatives, exploring Virginia’s outdoors, staying active, and playing board games together as a family. Adam also grew up in Henrico County, graduating from Mills Godwin High School and the University of Virginia.
As Governor, Abigail will continue fighting for hardworking Virginia families and make Virginia’s economy work for the Virginians who are working hard but struggling to get by. Abigail will be focused on strengthening our public schools, keeping our communities safe, making Virginia more affordable, and protecting our fundamental rights.
Abigail’s story shows that when Virginians work together, we can fix problems and get big things done.
