‘Left no other choice’: Youngkin accuses Spanberger of spreading false claims about UVA presidential search

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In a scathing letter obtained by 8News, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) levied serious accusations against Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (D), his soon-to-be-successor, after she requested that the University of Virginia (UVA) wait until she assumes office to pick its new president.

"It's regretful that I must communicate to you in this manner, but your correspondence left no other choice," Youngkin wrote within a letter to Spanberger dated Thursday, Nov. 13.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Spanberger sent a letter to the UVA Board of Visitors, asking that it pause its search for its 10th president until a full board can be appointed and confirmed by the Virginia General Assembly after her inauguration on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.

“In the wake of the departure of President Jim Ryan as a result of federal overreach — unchallenged by the Board — the University now faces the serious task of selecting its tenth president," Spanberger wrote on Wednesday.

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Ryan resigned in June amid pressure from President Donald Trump's administration regarding the university's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts." In a statement issued following this announcement, Ryan wrote that he would not put UVA in jeopardy to save his own job.

Professors have since condemned the board’s decision to dissolve UVA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices.

"Over the past six months, the actions of the Board of Visitors have severely undermined the public’s and the University community’s confidence in the Board’s ability to govern productively, transparently, and in the best interests of the University," Spanberger wrote.

8News previously reported on the public disagreement between Youngkin and Spanberger over this request. However, in his Thursday letter, Youngkin spent three pages slamming Spanberger for what he claimed was an instance of unprecedented overreach on her part.

"I am advised that this was likely the first time in the history of our Commonwealth that a Governor-elect attempted to interfere with the governance of a university and the fiduciary duties of individual board members," he wrote.

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This controversy comes just one week after Youngkin and Spanberger dedicated themselves to ensuring a smooth transition of power.

"[During our meeting], you briefly mentioned sending a letter about the University of Virginia, but moved to a different topic so quickly that it seemed unimportant at the time," Youngkin wrote. "It is disappointing to learn that just after our meeting started, your office shared this letter with the New York Times and other outlets. Whether done in error or in bad faith, I am compelled to address both the breach of protocol as well as the inaccuracies in your letter."

In his letter, Youngkin accused Spanberger of sharing false claims and hyperbole, which he described as not only harmful, but dangerous. He stated that, to his understanding, UVA's search for a president has "followed national best practices and been a model of transparency."

"It's dangerous to wrongfully disparage committed individuals who volunteer to serve on university boards and the serious work they do," he wrote. "Further, the Governor of the Commonwealth should speak thoughtfully and honor the service of those individuals."

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According to Youngkin, Spanberger's actions "may have inflicted significant damage on the university [she] profess[es] to love."

"Throughout my term, I have worked hard to ensure that they [Virginia universities] are indeed free of political interference and are safe environments for learning, and appointed individuals with extraordinary skills, competence and experience necessary to manage our incredible higher education institutions," he wrote. "I hope you too will take that to heart."

In closing, Youngkin stressed that the transition period between Election Day and Inauguration Day not only allows an incoming governor to prepare, but allows the outgoing governor to "wrap up and transfer ongoing initiatives."

"As was wisely communicated to me by my predecessors, there is just one Governor of Virginia at any time," Youngkin wrote.

He added that this makes Spanberger's request to UVA "confusing" and "inconsistent with proven, professional protocols."

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"And certainly, efforts to bully or micromanage are inappropriate," Youngkin wrote.

Youngkin said he remains committed to "work[ing closely and productively" with Spanberger's transition team.

"If you wish to communicate ideas or seek information with officials in state government, your team knows the process to do so," he wrote.

Youngkin's letter is included in full below.

8News has reached out to Spanberger's press team for comment on this letter. We have not received a response as of the time of reporting. An update will be provided when possible.