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2025 Virginia gubernatorial election

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For related races, see 2025 United States gubernatorial elections.

2025 Virginia gubernatorial election
← 2021 November 4, 2025 2029 →
 
Nominee TBD Abigail Spanberger
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent Governor

Glenn Youngkin
Republican



Elections in Virginia
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
State government
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Senate
House of Delegates
State elections
Ballot measures
Statewide
Fairfax County
2016
Alexandria
Mayor
(List)
Henrico County
Commonwealth's Attorney
Norfolk
Mayor
Richmond
Mayor
Virginia Beach
Mayor
City Council

The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 4, 2025, to elect the governor of Virginia. Incumbent Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin will be ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the state's governors from serving consecutive terms. Primary elections will take place on June 17, 2025.[1]

Former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee,[2] while Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, is considered the front-runner for the party nomination. Either of them would be Virginia's first female governor,[3] while Earle-Sears would also be the first Black female governor in U.S. history.[4]

This is the only Republican-held governorship up for election in 2025. Democrat Kamala Harris won the state in the 2024 presidential election by 5.8%.[5]

This election may be an indicator of the popularity of Trump's second presidency. With the exception of 2013, Virginia has elected a governor of the opposite party of the sitting president of the United States in every election since 1977.

Background

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Virginia is considered to be a moderately blue state at the federal level, with Kamala Harris carrying Virginia by about six percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, and the last time a Republican won a federal statewide race was in the 2004 presidential election. Democrats control both U.S. Senate seats, a majority in its U.S. representative congressional delegation, and the minimum majority in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly. However, statewide offices tend to be more competitive as Republicans flipped all three statewide constitutional offices in the 2021 elections, all of which are up for election in 2025.[6][7][8]

Donald Trump's efforts to shrink the federal workforce is considered to be a potential issue in the election, given that many federal workers live in northern Virginia.[9] Current predictions suggest the race is either a tossup or slightly leaning towards the Democrats (presumably Spanberger).[10]

Republican primary

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Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears was initially viewed as the presumptive Republican nominee for governor.[11] However, after poor initial polling and growing dissatisfaction with the lieutenant governor in factions of the party, Earle-Sears drew two challengers: former senator Amanda Chase and former delegate Dave LaRock.[12] Chase and LaRock are positioning themselves as more loyal to President Donald Trump.[13]

Candidates

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Declared

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Disqualified

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Amanda Chase

State senators

Winsome Earle-Sears

Statewide officials

Organizations

Polling

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Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Jason
Miyares 		Winsome
Earle-Sears 		Undecided
Cygnal (R)[22] October 27–29, 2024 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 12% 48% 40%
Cygnal (R)[23] March 13–14, 2024 510 (LV) ± 4.3% 16% 44% 41%
Differentiators Data[24] February 21–24, 2023 500 (LV) ± 4.5% 17% 48% 35%

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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Nominee

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Withdrawn

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Abigail Spanberger

U.S. senators

U.S. representatives

Statewide officials

State cabinet officials

State legislators

Local officials

Organizations

Bobby Scott (declined)

State legislators

Levar Stoney (withdrawn)

State officials

State legislators

Local officials

Polling

[edit]
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Abigail
Spanberger 		Levar
Stoney 		Undecided
April 22, 2024 Stoney withdraws from the race
Public Policy Polling (D)[48][A] March 25–26, 2024 734 (LV) — 44% 11% 45%
Christopher Newport University[49] January 11–16, 2024 1000 (RV) ± 3.7% 52% 8% 40%

Independents

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Declared

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  • Andrew White, businessman[19]

Formed exploratory committee

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General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[51] Tossup December 6, 2024
Inside Elections[52] Tilt D (flip) February 6, 2025

Polling

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Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Abigail Spanberger

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Winsome
Earle-Sears (R) 		Abigail
Spanberger (D) 		Other Undecided
Cygnal (R)[53] February 26–28, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 40% 46% – 14%
Roanoke College[54] February 17–20, 2025 690 (RV) ± 4.7% 24% 39% 4%[b] 33%
co/efficient (R)[55][B] January 18–20, 2025 867 (LV) ± 3.3% 40% 40% 5%[c] 15%
Virginia Commonwealth University[56] December 18, 2024 – January 15, 2025 806 (A) ± 4.7% 34% 44% 5%[d] 17%
Christopher Newport University[57] January 6–13, 2025 806 (RV) ± 3.6% 39% 44% 6%[e] 12%
Emerson College[58][C] January 6–8, 2025 1,000 (RV) ± 3.0% 41% 42% 4%[b] 13%
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[59] December 15–19, 2024 625 (RV) ± 4.0% 44% 47% – 9%
Research America Inc.[60][D] September 3–9, 2024 1,000 (A) ± 3.1% 39% 39% 10%[f] 12%
co/efficient (R)[61][E] September 7–10, 2023 834 (LV) ± 3.4% 26% 27% – 47%
Hypothetical polling

Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Bobby Scott

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Winsome
Earle-Sears (R) 		Bobby
Scott (D) 		Undecided
Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy[59] December 15–19, 2024 625 (RV) ± 4.0% 46% 44% 10%

Jason Miyares vs. Abigail Spanberger

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Jason
Miyares (R) 		Abigail
Spanberger (D) 		Undecided
Research America Inc.[60][D] September 3–9, 2024 1,000 (A) ± 3.1% 39% 40% 12%
co/efficient (R)[61][E] September 7–10, 2023 834 (LV) ± 3.4% 22% 26% 52%

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ a b "Someone else" with 4%
  3. ^ "Someone else" with 5%
  4. ^ "Wouldn't vote" with 4%; "Someone else" with 1%
  5. ^ "Someone else" with 2%. "Don't know/Refused" with 4%
  6. ^ "None / Would not vote" with 5%; "Other candidate" with 4%; "Refused" with 1%

Partisan clients

  1. ^ Poll sponsored by Stoney's campaign
  2. ^ Poll sponsored by the Northern Virginia Republican Business Forum
  3. ^ Poll sponsored by The Hill
  4. ^ a b Poll sponsored by the University of Mary Washington
  5. ^ a b Poll sponsored by Founders Insight

References

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  1. ^ "§ 24.2-515. Presidential election year primaries". lis.virginia.gov.
  2. ^ a b Collette, Christopher (April 3, 2025). "Spanberger confirmed to be Democratic nominee for Virginia governor". WVEC. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  3. ^ Vozzella, Laura (December 1, 2024). "Four Centuries In, Virginia Could Be On Track For Its First Woman Governor". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ a b Vozzella, Laura; Schneider, Gregory S. (September 5, 2024). "Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announces her candidacy for governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "2024 Presidential Elections By State Margin of Victory". Fox News Elections. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Live election results: 2020 Virginia results". www.politico.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Oliver, Ned (March 3, 2021). "Democrats have controlled Virginia government for two years. Here's what they've done". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "GOP sweeps statewide races with 2 down-ballot wins". AP NEWS. November 2, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Mutnick, Ally (February 12, 2025). "How Trump's assault on bureaucracy could rock Virginia elections". Politico. Retrieved February 12, 2025. The off-year races are often a bellwether for the national mood a year before the midterms.
  10. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". insideelections.com.
  11. ^ Yancey, Dwayne (November 18, 2024). "Miyares to seek reelection; 2025 governor's race now appears set". CardinalNews.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  12. ^ Schmidt, Markus (February 27, 2025). "Earle-Sears' uncontested run ends as rivals enter Virginia GOP primary for governor". CBS19News.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  13. ^ Englander, Tyler (February 27, 2025). "Is Lieutenant Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears still the GOP favorite after governor's race shakeup?". WAVY.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  14. ^ Jarvis, Brandon (February 26, 2025). "Amanda Chase announces run for governor". Virginia Scope. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Lippman, David (March 27, 2024). "No, Virginia did not consider bill to allow new migrants to become police officers". VERIFYThis. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  16. ^ Feld, Lowell (April 3, 2025). "Potential Primary Challenger Dave LaRock Says He's Failed to Gather Enough Signatures, Blames Glenn Youngkin; If Amanda Chase Also Fails to Make the Ballot, Winsome Earle-Sears Will Be Unopposed for the 2025 VA GOP Gubernatorial Nomination". Blue Virginia. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Vozzella, Laura (November 17, 2024). "Virginia AG Jason Miyares says he will run for reelection, not governor". The Washington Post.
  18. ^ Andrew Solender [@andrewsolender] (December 4, 2024). "Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman is "not considering a run for Governor in 2025," his campaign tells me. "Congressman Wittman is looking forward to serving his constituents in the 119th Congress and running for re-election to Congress in 2026."" (Tweet). Retrieved December 4, 2024 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ a b Guerra, Shirleen (March 21, 2025). "Virginia's 2025 gubernatorial election update". The Center Square. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  20. ^ Diaz, Olivia (November 18, 2024). "Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares will seek reelection, quelling talk of a gubernatorial bid". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  21. ^ "Maggie's List Proudly Endorses Winsome Earle-Sears for Virginia Governor". Maggie's List. February 21, 2025. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  22. ^ Shucard, Ryan (November 1, 2024). "Virginia Poll: Harris Flatlines as Trump Gains Ground Among Non-College Voters". Cygnal.
  23. ^ Brown, Mitchell (March 20, 2024). "Sears Holds Early and Commanding Lead Over Miyares in VA Gov. Race" (PDF). FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  24. ^ "Virginia GOP Primary Poll". Differentiators Data. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  25. ^ Rankin, Sarah (November 13, 2023). "Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger is running for governor instead of seeking reelection to the House". The Associated Press. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Vozzella, Laura (April 22, 2024). "Richmond Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, seeks lt. governor post". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  27. ^ Martz, Michael (March 1, 2025). "Bobby Scott hints he's not running for Virginia governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
  28. ^ Bresnahan, John; Soellner, Mica; Zanona, Melanie (December 13, 2024). "Bobby Scott explores Virginia gubernatorial run". Punchbowl News. Retrieved December 13, 2024. 'I've supported Abigail since the day she [announced] and she's the candidate out there right now and we're gonna make sure we win this seat,' Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said.
  29. ^ a b Graham, Chris (November 15, 2023). "Beyer, Connolly endorse Abigail Spanberger in 2025 Virginia governor race". Augusta Free Press. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  30. ^ a b c d e "VA-07 Congressman-Elect Eugene Vindman Endorses Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Blue Virginia. December 12, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
  31. ^ "Elect Democratic Women Endorses Rep. Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Elect Democratic Women. December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  32. ^ Martz, Michael (November 23, 2023). "Spanberger broadens support with Perriello endorsement". The Daily Progress. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  33. ^ Nir, David (December 17, 2024). "Morning Digest: Kathy Hochul could face a challenge from her own lieutenant governor". The Downballot. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  34. ^ "Vindman endorses Spanberger for governor". Culpeper Star-Exponent. December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Martz, Michael (November 15, 2023). "Northam endorses Spanberger in run for governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g Feld, Lowell (April 8, 2024). "Monday News: "Mike Johnson faces revolt by hard-right Republicans over Ukraine aid package"; "Why is the Press Making Trump Seem More Normal?"; "The Attraction of Fascism" for Trump Supporters; Solar Eclipse and Glenn Youngkin's Budget Amendments". Blue Virginia. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g Feld, Lowell (December 4, 2023). "Video: Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney Launches Campaign for Virginia Governor". Blue Virginia. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  38. ^ "Brady PAC Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". Brady PAC. November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  39. ^ "End Citizens United // Let America Vote Endorses Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor". End Citizens United. April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  40. ^ "EMILYs List Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". EMILY's List. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  41. ^ "GIFFORDS PAC Endorses Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor". Giffords. May 22, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  42. ^ "Virginia League of Conservation Voters' Endorsement of Abigail Spanberger is the Earliest in a Gubernatorial General Election in the VA LCV's 26-Year History". February 20, 2025.
  43. ^ "Vote Mama PAC | Candidates". Vote Mama PAC. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "VoteVets PAC Endorses Spanberger for Governor of Virginia". VoteVets. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  45. ^ Vozzella, Laura (December 13, 2024). "Rep. Bobby Scott considers challenging Spanberger in Va. governor primary". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  46. ^ Montellaro, Zach (December 5, 2023). "McAuliffe backs Richmond Mayor Stoney in 2025 Virginia governor race". Politico. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  47. ^ Steger, Preston (December 1, 2023). "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney files paperwork to run for Virginia governor in 2025". WVEC.
  48. ^ "Levar Stoney for Governor Campaign "Internal" Poll Finds Initial 44%-11% Lead for Abigail Spanberger Shrinks to 34%-30% ("a near dead heat") After Positive Info Provided About Both Candidates". Blue Virginia. April 9, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  49. ^ "State of the Commonwealth 2024". Christopher Newport University. January 24, 2024.
  50. ^ "Fmr. Rep. Riggleman's Outlook For Trump's Next Term". Bloomberg News. December 30, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  51. ^ "2025 Governor Race Ratings for December 6, 2024". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  52. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  53. ^ Buchanan, Brent (March 4, 2025). "Virginia Governor Race Poll: Sears Positioned for Strong Showing" (PDF). Cygnal. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  54. ^ "Roanoke College Poll: Spanberger leads Earle-Sears in early poll". Roanoke College. February 25, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  55. ^ "Virginia Car Tax Statewide Study" (PDF). co/efficient. January 20, 2025. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  56. ^ "Commonwealth Poll: Virginians overwhelmingly concerned about cost of living". Virginia Commonwealth University. January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  57. ^ "Spanberger holds a 5-point lead over Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia Governor's Race with 16% undecided". Christopher Newport University. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  58. ^ "Virginia 2025 Poll: Spanberger (D) 42%, Earle-Sears (R) 41%". Emerson College. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  59. ^ a b Schmidt, Markus (January 10, 2025). "Another poll confirms tight Virginia Governor's race between Spanberger and Earle-Sears". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  60. ^ a b "2024 ANNUAL FALL STATEWIDE VA QUESTIONNAIRE" (PDF). Univsersity of Mary Washington. September 20, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  61. ^ a b "VA Absentee and Early Voting Opinion Poll" (PDF). Founders Insight. September 11, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
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Official campaign websites

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