RICHMOND, VA – Virginia voters are heading to the polls for primary elections today, but the main event for the November ballot is already set, drawing intense national scrutiny as a potential early referendum on the second term of the Trump administration.

Key Facts

• Gubernatorial Matchup Set – The race for governor features Democrat and former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger against Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Neither faced a primary opponent.
• National Bellwether – The election is widely viewed as a national barometer, testing voter sentiment on President Trump’s policies, particularly those affecting the state’s large federal workforce.
• Significant Fundraising Gap – Spanberger has a substantial financial advantage, with reports showing her campaign has over $14.3 million in cash on hand, compared to under $3 million for Earle-Sears.

The contest for Virginia’s next governor, along with other statewide offices, is shaping up to be a critical indicator of the national political mood. The historical trend of Virginia electing a governor from the party opposite the one in the White House adds another layer of intrigue to the 2025 race.

Why the Nation is Watching Virginia

Virginia’s off-year elections are often interpreted as a preview of the following year’s midterm elections. This year, the focus is squarely on how voters in the purple state respond to the policies of the Trump administration. A central issue is the administration’s initiative to cut the federal workforce, a move that disproportionately affects Northern Virginia, home to a significant number of federal employees and contractors.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer, is campaigning on her record as a moderate and is capitalizing on discontent with the administration’s “slash-and-burn” approach to government. Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Lieutenant Governor, is positioning herself as the successor to popular outgoing Governor Glenn Youngkin, emphasizing tax cuts and the economy. The outcome will likely provide insight into whether economic anxieties or opposition to federal policies will be a stronger motivator for voters.

The Candidates and the Issues

The gubernatorial race will make history regardless of the winner, as Virginia will elect its first female governor. Should Winsome Earle-Sears win, she would become the nation’s first Black woman elected governor.

Abigail Spanberger has built a campaign on being a centrist Democrat, highlighting her past work in Congress and her focus on issues like healthcare costs and gun control. Her fundraising has been formidable, attracting national donors and giving her a significant financial edge.

Earle-Sears, on the other hand, aligns with the more conservative wing of the Republican party. She has championed socially conservative stances and is a staunch defender of gun rights. Her campaign is working to tie Spanberger to more progressive national Democratic policies while navigating the influence of former President Trump. Other key issues animating the race include abortion rights, crime, and management of the state’s budget surplus.

Down-Ballot Primaries Set the Full Ticket

While the gubernatorial nominees are locked in, today’s Democratic primaries will finalize the party’s ticket for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. Six Democrats are vying for the lieutenant governor nomination to face Republican John Reid. The candidates are Alex Bastani, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, school board chair Babur Lateef, state Sen. Aaron Rouse, former prosecutor Victor Salgado, and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.

In the Attorney General race, former state lawmaker Jay Jones and Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor are competing for the Democratic nomination. The winner will challenge incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in the general election. The results of these primaries will determine the full slate of candidates that will battle for control of Virginia’s executive branch in November.