Four Former Virginia Governors Weigh in on Virginia’s Next Four Years

Body

From left: moderator Bob Holsworth with former governors Bob McDonnell, Ralph Northam, Tim Kaine, and George Allen on stage in Richmond. Photos by Drew Precious

On the Friday before the historic inauguration of Abigail Spanberger (D) as Virginia's first female governor, George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government hosted "The Governors' Roundtable: The Future of Virginia."

The four former governors gather with David Ramadan and George Mason University President Gregory Washington.

The event, held in Richmond, Virginia, brought together four former governors of the commonwealth-George Allen (R), Senator Tim Kaine (D), Bob McDonnell (R), and Ralph Northam (D)-for a lively, collegial, and substantive discussion.

Former Virginia Delegate David Ramadan, professor of practice in the Schar School and a member of Governor Spanberger's transition team, opened the panel, acknowledging the 120 attendees. The audience included Virginia business and civic leaders, representatives from George Mason and Schar School centers, Schar School faculty, students, and alumni, and a strong contingent from Virginia's political community including current and former members of the General Assembly.

Ramadan noted that 2026 is the 10th anniversary of the naming of the Schar School after businessman and philanthropist Dwight Schar and the event kicks off a yearlong celebration of the school. He also mentioned that McDonnell, former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and former Vice President Mike Pence currently serve as professors at the school.

McDonnell offers reflections from his time as governor during the discussion.

"The Schar School is interested in nonpartisan engagement," Ramadan said.

George Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed the audience and briefly described the university and the Schar School and its mission.

"This event embodies Dwight Schar's vision," he said.

Noted Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth served as moderator and asked four questions of the panel who, for an hour, reminisced about their own inauguration days, offered advice to the new governor, and discussed how she might navigate the next four years.

(The following are edited excerpts from the conversation.)

Holsworth: What advice do you have for Abigail Spanberger in the first days of her administration?

Allen: It will be exhilarating for Abigail Spanberger. I remember my inauguration day. The weather was so cold. I grew up in a football family. I was thinking, It's game day. Your adrenaline is just going. I wanted the world to know that Virginia was open for business. She, like all of us, will work to keep her promises. As governor, you'll learn a lot. Make decisions that will make Virginia more affordable, safer. If yes, then yes. If no, then no.

Tim Kaine shares a lighter moment during the collegial exchange.

Kaine: My inauguration was in Williamsburg. (The Richmond Capitol was under renovation.) Only three Virginia governors have been inaugurated in Williamsburg: Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and me. The weather was awful. I had four main objectives, one for each year. Abigail needs an agenda. She will get knocked off her agenda. But don't let the urgent take over. Savor the good days and get ready for the bad.

Northam: It's great that everyone is coming together to support Abigail. She has done a great job putting together a good team and they are ready to get to work. I recommend Abigail build relationships with members of the General Assembly to get things done.

McDonnell: Whether you win by ½ a percent or by 18 points, you are governor for all the people. She's an incredibly capable person. She's the youngest governor since George Allen. She's up to the task. In Virginia, we transition power well. Relationships mean results. Go to the General Assembly and make house calls. See how you can work together. Know that budget and work it hard.

Allen listens as his colleagues offer their advice for the new governor.

Holsworth: How will she tackle the affordability issue?

Allen: Know the budget. Prioritize. People and businesses are not trees. They do move. Virginia is in strong competition with other states like North Carolina and Florida. Energy policy is going to be really important. That's an affordability issue.

Platitudes are great, but you have to act. She needs to work with everyone to find solutions to make things affordable for Virginians. You can make decisions that really have an effect on people.

Kaine: Do it where people feel it: health care, housing, child care, the big ticket items that hurt the pocketbook.

McDonnell: Time is money. Reduce regulations that take permits 200-300 days for building. Virginia is in really good shape.

Northam: Jobs are the most important things. Make sure Virginia is strong for business. The cost of energy is so important. The Hampton Roads offshore wind project needs to be finished. Our ports. I worked with President Trump to deepen and widen our channels. We need to get our ports back up. Tariffs have hurt.

Allen: What we need are leaders who care about the people.

Bob McDonnell (left) listens as Ralph Northam (right) reflects on lessons learned from governing.

Holsworth: How should Spanberger respond to President Trump?

Northam: There are going to be areas where she can work with Trump. She should focus on Virginia. Rely on people you put in place. Stand back and let them do what they do.

Kaine: Call your senators and ask for help. When I was governor, I had George W. Bush for three years and Obama for one year. Bush was pulling the plug with the [Metro] silver line to Dulles and moving ships from Virginia to Florida. His brother was governor of Florida. I called John Warner.

McDonnell: It's a transactional relationship with Washington. Maybe connect on energy, solar, wind, and fossil fuels. Embrace that. All of these types of energy. She's the daughter of law enforcement. She might go against type. Find common ground.

Holsworth: What do you think of redistricting?

McDonnell: It would not be good. The net effect is bad for the nation and it will make the tone of politics a lot worse.

Northam: There's a domino effect. The president should put a stop to this. You have to fight fire with fire.

Kaine: Do it and do it better. You can't open Pandora's Box and expect states to sit on their hands. Get back to redistricting that will be done the right way.

Allen: People should elect their leaders and not rig elections. Not one party or the other running roughshod over each other.

A reception followed the program, allowing attendees a chance to continue the dialogue and Schar School students to network. The event illustrated the Schar School's role as a forward-looking policy institution that convenes scholars, practitioners, students, and the broader community to address pressing public policy challenges.

This event marks the beginning of the Schar School's yearlong series commemorating its 10th anniversary and reaffirming its mission. On Tuesday, February 3, the program continues with an alumni breakfast. More events will be announced in the coming weeks, culminating in a 10th anniversary gala in fall 2026.

Additional reporting by Buzz McClain