For some reason, the Virginia governor elections are very exciting. I don't know if that's because they receive a lot of attention because they are in off-years (along with NJ), but also because VA is a swing state? VA politics in general seem to be very important.
Ehhh they are predictably near blowouts for the party out of the WH almost every time. 2013 and 2021 had a moderate level of excitement but even then the outcomes weren't a shock.
I think people left the Virginia GOP for dead after their continuous string of losses from 2012-2020, even in the Obama years. Youngkin winning was definitely a shock in that vein. I don't think Virginia is a swing state by any means, but his victory showed that the Democrats can't take that Governorship for granted in years they hold the White House. In years where Republicans are in the White House, the governorship is probably Likely D at the very least. If Trump wins in November, then hello Gov.-elect Spanberger.
