The Steady State Endorses Abigail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 4, 2025

THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES

ABIGAIL SPANBERGER FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA

The 300+ members of The Steady State are former national security officials who remain committed to their oaths to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” We continue to promote democracy, the rule of law, and national security based on the values shared by most Americans. Steady State members served our country in various capacities within the U.S. national security and homeland security communities—as intelligence officers, defense policymakers, diplomats, and congressional staffers. We have proudly served under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Some of us are lifelong Democrats, others Republicans, and some resolutely independent. But today, we speak with one voice.

We are honored to endorse Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia.

As a nonpartisan organization of former national security professionals, The Steady State is guided by a singular mission: to defend constitutional democracy, uphold the rule of law, and protect the integrity of America’s national security institutions. In an era marked by democratic backsliding and the increasing politicization of intelligence, Ms. Spanberger stands as a principled and stabilizing force. She is, without question, the best candidate to lead Virginia through this critical moment.

Throughout her public service, Ms. Spanberger has demonstrated unwavering fidelity to the Constitution over partisan loyalty. She has consistently championed Congress’s oversight role over the intelligence community – a check that is vital today as the current administration undermines intelligence to serve political ends. In Ms. Spanberger’s words and actions, intelligence must inform policy, not be distorted to justify it. She understands that this distinction is fundamental to our national security.

Ms. Spanberger’s background as a CIA operations officer has informed her reputation as a “passionate pragmatist” and one of the most bipartisan members of Congress. She brings a steady, evidence-based approach to governance, prioritizing results over ideology. Her national security expertise has not remained confined to the halls of Washington; she has applied it to deliver tangible, community-level solutions for Virginians—from prescription drug reform, to broadband expansion in rural areas, to consumer protection legislation.

Her leadership reflects The Steady State’s highest ideals: principled, nonpartisan service rooted in expertise, truth, and constitutional duty.

As governor, Ms. Spanberger will be entrusted with one of the most fundamental responsibilities of state leadership: ensuring the safety and security of all Virginians. That charge includes preparing for and responding to an evolving array of threats to the homeland—ranging from international and domestic terrorism to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, emerging biological threats, disinformation campaigns, and the increasing impacts of climate-driven disasters. These threats do not stop at state borders, and they cannot be managed by federal authorities alone.

Ms. Spanberger’s experience in Congress, in the Intelligence Community, and as a federal law enforcement officer has uniquely prepared her to lead in this domain. She understands that national security begins at the local level, and that the governor must work hand-in-glove with federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that Virginia’s emergency management, public health, and law enforcement communities have timely access to the intelligence and resources they need to make the strategic decisions that keep Virginians safe, and respond effectively to incidents. As DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis has emphasized, “state, local, tribal, and territorial partners are on the front lines of homeland security.” In a time of growing complexity and volatility, Virginia needs a governor who can translate national intelligence into state action—and Ms. Spanberger is ready to do just that.

At a time when the rule of law is under siege and democratic institutions are strained, Ms. Spanberger offers something increasingly rare: governance grounded in integrity, expertise, and bipartisanship. She doesn’t just talk about bridging divides—she has lived it, consistently delivering results for everyday Virginians while defending the institutions that safeguard our democracy.

We strongly urge the people of Virginia to support Abigail Spanberger for governor. Her leadership is not only aligned with the ethos of The Steady State – it is precisely what this moment demands.