ABC News projects Democrat Abigail Spanberger will win the closely watched governor's race, besting Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and becoming the first woman elected governor of Virginia.

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Richmond, Va. — As the polls closed on Tuesday across Virginia, it quickly became clear it was a night of firsts: Voters overwhelmingly elected a slate of candidates who broke race and gender barriers in contests considered among the most consequential nationally.

Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to become the first woman to lead Virginia.

In Virginia, voters have a mix of local concerns and national topics on their minds. One October survey from the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University found that likely voters were in particular thinking about democracy,

Virginia's biggest counties delivered Spanberger's double-digit victory, which saw her making strong gains in suburban areas.

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Democrats scored major gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey and captured the New York City mayor’s race.

Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat and former Virginia congresswoman, has for months been favored over her Republican opponent, Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. But a texting scandal involving the Democratic candidate for attorney general has added a degree of unpredictability in the race’s final weeks.