Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that she has selected Jessica Looman to serve as Virginia’s next secretary of labor, a move that underscores the incoming administration’s emphasis on aggressive worker regulation and union-aligned labor policy.

Looman most recently served as administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, a post she was appointed to by former President Joe Biden. From 2021 to 2025, Looman led the federal government’s primary labor standards enforcement arm, overseeing expanded enforcement of minimum wage and overtime rules, heightened scrutiny of independent contractor classifications, and a renewed focus on child labor violations.

“As secretary of labor, Ms. Looman will drive my administration’s mission to equip Virginians with the skills and education they need to build steady, rewarding careers,” Spanberger said in a statement, according to Virginia Mercury. (RELATED: Virginia GOP Chair Steps Down as Party Faces Blowback of Major Election Losses)

Spanberger highlighted Looman’s background as a member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America and pointed to her experience across federal, state, and local government. Looman previously served as commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Commerce and as a senior fellow with the NYU Wagner Labor Initiative.

Critics are likely to note that Looman’s record aligns closely with the Biden administration’s labor agenda, which drew pushback from business groups and employers concerned about regulatory overreach, increased compliance costs, and a more adversarial relationship between government and the private sector. Her appointment suggests Spanberger intends to bring a similar regulatory posture to Richmond.

In Virginia, Looman will oversee a wide array of labor-related programs and agencies, including the Virginia Employment Commission and the Virginia Board of Workforce Development. She will also advise Spanberger directly on labor policy while managing regional, state, and federal initiatives tied to workforce training and employment.

The announcement marks Spanberger’s 10th cabinet pick as she prepares to take office as Virginia’s 75th governor. Notably, key economic posts remain unfilled, including secretaries of commerce and trade and education. Spanberger has also created a new cabinet-level “energy czar” position, tasked with managing electrical grid demand, controlling energy costs, and enforcing clean energy mandates under the Virginia Clean Economy Act.

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