{"id":2567978,"date":"2026-02-09T15:11:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spanbergers-actions-mimic-a-progressive-democrat-byron-york\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T15:14:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:14:36","slug":"spanbergers-actions-mimic-a-progressive-democrat-byron-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/spanbergers-actions-mimic-a-progressive-democrat-byron-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanberger&#8217;s actions mimic &#8216;a progressive Democrat&#8217;: Byron York"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fspanbergers-actions-mimic-a-progressive-democrat-byron-york%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2567978&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Byron York of the Washington Examiner argues that Abigail Spanberger\u2019s approach as Virginia\u2019s governor would resemble that of a progressive Democrat, even though she ran as a centrist in the Virginia gubernatorial race. He notes her 15-point victory amid a Democratic Party split between progressives and moderates,suggesting her actions reflect the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >ongoing intra-party clash<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>York highlights several policy moves he views as aligning with a progressive agenda: rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, signing an executive order ending cooperation with ICE, and proposing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/schumer-spokesman-celebrates-1-9-trillion-covid-relief-plan-erases-ny-budget-deficit\/\" title=\"Schumer Spokesman Celebrates: .9 Trillion COVID Relief Plan Erases NY Budget Deficit\">tax increases<\/a> (including on fantasy sports contests) to fund state healthcare and childcare. He also points to Spanberger\u2019s move to push constitutional amendments on redistricting, same<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congress-has-officially-gone-gender-crazy\/\" title=\"Congress Has Officially Gone Gender Crazy\">-sex marriage<\/a>, and abortion, with a new redistricting map described as temporary and responsive.<\/p>\n<p>The piece emphasizes that, while some of Spanberger\u2019s plans may be debated or impractical, the governor can use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-rules-ca-gov-overstepped-his-authority-with-covid-order-issues-permanent-injunction-restraining-newsom-from-further-issuing-unconstitutional-orders\/\" title=\"Judge Rules CA Gov Overstepped His Authority with Covid Order, Issues Permanent Injunction Restraining Newsom From Further Issuing Unconstitutional Orders\">executive orders<\/a> to implement actions, limiting legislative pushback. York frames Spanberger\u2019s actions as indicative of the broader shift within the Democratic Party toward progressive priorities, making her governance a potential test of moderates vs. progressives.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Spanberger&rsquo;s actions mimic &lsquo;a progressive Democrat&rsquo;: Byron York<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2497277\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><em>Washington Examiner<\/em> chief political correspondent <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/columnists\/4450273\/trump-another-uproar-midterms\/\">Byron York<\/a> compared Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4444532\/kamala-harris-i-told-you-so-tour-richmond-virginia\/\">Abigail Spanberger<\/a> (D-VA) to Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4430263\/paris-hilton-teams-up-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-push-house-pass-stalled-artificial-intelligence-deepfake-pornography-bill\/\">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez<\/a> (D-NY).<\/p>\n<p>York said Spanberger campaigned in the Virginia gubernatorial race on a centrist platform, being &ldquo;portrayed in the media every day as a moderate.&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3866711\/spanberger-earle-sears-virginia-woman-governor-2025-election\/\">Her 15% margin of victory<\/a> in November comes as &ldquo;progressives and moderates&rdquo; within the Democratic Party battle for control, with lawmakers like Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4445751\/bernie-sanders-beyond-comprehension-trump-honest-election\/\">Bernie Sanders<\/a> (I-VT) representing the former group.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4451446\/pirro-signs-doj-motion-to-dismiss-bannon-contempt-indictment\/\">Pirro signs DOJ motion to dismiss Bannon contempt indictment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4451247\/bruce-blakeman-running-mate-pick-rejects-offer-24-7-campaign-commitment\/\">Bruce Blakeman&#8217;s running mate pick rejects offer due to 24\/7 campaign commitment<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4451164\/dhs-ice-government-shutdown\/\">Where government funding talks stand with DHS ahead of Friday deadline<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;So now, she [Spanberger] becomes the governor of Virginia, and what does she do? First of all, she rejoins something called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is a climate group that the former Republican governor had taken Virginia out of,&rdquo; York said on Fox News Live. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s exactly the sort of thing that, say, AOC would do if she&rsquo;d become governor.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3366858&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=9421&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=738b6055354de9296298b2c3e3959f94\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>York also said Spanberger&rsquo;s decision to sign an executive order <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4446357\/abigail-spanberger-terminates-virginia-cooperation-ice\/\">terminating any cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> is in line with what Ocasio-Cortez would do. Spanberger&rsquo;s attempt to &ldquo;raise more taxes&rdquo; through various means, including on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/lis.virginia.gov\/bill-details\/20261\/SB129\">fantasy sports contests<\/a>, is the &ldquo;sort of thing&rdquo; a progressive Democratic leader would do, York explained.<\/p>\n<p>York noted that these possible tax increases come after Spanberger has made &ldquo;big promises&rdquo; on state-supported healthcare and childcare, and needs to find funding &ldquo;somewhere.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He concluded that while it&rsquo;s possible some of Spanberger&rsquo;s plans for the state &ldquo;won&rsquo;t work,&rdquo; the governor can still <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-state-legislators-to-strip-democrat-governor-andrew-cuomo-of-emergency-powers-amid-scandals\/\" title=\"New ... State Legislators To Strip Democrat ... Andrew Cuomo Of Emergency Powers Amid Scandals\">issue executive orders<\/a> to carry out actions, meaning there&rsquo;s &ldquo;not a whole lot you can do about it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/videos\/4446535\/transgender-sex-offender-richard-cox-guilty-child-pornography\/\"><strong>TRANSGENDER SEX OFFENDER RICHARD COX FOUND GUILTY OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spanberger signed a bill on Friday that sends <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4448796\/abigail-spanberger-sends-abortion-same-sex-marriage-amendments-voters\/\">several constitutional amendments<\/a> on redistricting, same-sex marriage, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4447522\/virginia-democrats-agree-new-congressional-map-gives-republicans-one-seat\/\">redistricting<\/a>, and abortion to Virginia voters. The governor said the new redistricting map, which heavily favors Democrats, is &ldquo;temporary and responsive.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The amendments are all expected to pass in November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>York says Spanberger acts like a progressive Democrat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2567979,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26029089296814-e1770664290385.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[37928,38553,32171,66882,32249],"class_list":["post-2567978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-byron-york","tag-democratic-politics","tag-political-commentary","tag-progressive-democrat","tag-spanberger"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26029089296814-e1770664290385.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567978","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2567978"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567978\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2567982,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2567978\/revisions\/2567982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2567979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2567978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2567978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2567978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}