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Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former U.
S. representative of Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, were the only major-party candidates who will appear on the ballot this year, making it all but certain that Virginia will make history in November by electing its first woman governor.That ranks top among the important decisions Virginia voters will make, first in June’s primary and then in the fall general election, as they chart a course for the commonwealth’s future.
As one of the few states that holds off-year statewide elections, Virginia will be the center of attention, and it’s critical that residents ignore the noise and make thoughtful, informed choices when the opportunity comes.While 51 women — 32 Democrats and 20 Republicans — have won elections to govern in 32 states, this year’s election will break new ground for Virginia. While there’s always a remote possibility an independent candidate captures voters’ attention, Spanberger and Sears are already assured of their parties’ nominations and are set to face off in the fall.
They will follow Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, elected in 2021, who is limited to one term by the state Constitution, as well as a list of well-known American statesmen who served as chief executive here, including Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler.Sears already made history four years ago when she became the first woman, the first woman of color and the first immigrant to serve as lieutenant governor.
Spanberger, a former officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, hopes to make history of her own following three terms in the U.S. House.
Naturally, attention will focus at the top of the ticket, but two other statewide races, campaigns for the House of Delegates, and a slate of local elections will require voters to do their homework before casting their ballots this year.There will be three contested primary elections for top positions: Republican and Democratic primary elections for lieutenant governor and a Democratic primary for attorney general. The winner of the AG primary will face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, a former delegate from Virginia Beach.
While members of the state Senate won’t face voters until 2027, all 100 seats in the House will be decided in November. Democrats now hold a slim 51-49 edge in that chamber along with a 21-19 advantage in the Senate, which enabled legislative leaders to shape, or stop, many of Youngkin’s policy priorities.The House elections will be a referendum of sorts on that record, as well as a judgment about how Virginia should respond to widespread changes to the federal government being pursued by the Trump administration — workforce reductions and program terminations that affect the commonwealth more than most other states.
Finally, several localities will also see constitutional offices — commissioner of revenue, commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff and treasurer — on the ballot in the fall, including some, such as Norfolk, that will hold important primaries on June 17.Sign up for Viewpoints, an opinion newsletterGiven that only two states — Virginia and New Jersey — hold gubernatorial elections this year, plenty of money will be poured into commonwealth races, as happens every four. National political consultants see these contests as proving grounds for federal midterm elections in 2026 and will be eager to test out strategies without much interest in what the outcomes mean for residents here.
Therefore it is incumbent on voters to sift through that and focus on who is best to serve the whole of Virginia, who can best represent Hampton Roads in Richmond, and which candidates are most capable of holding important constitutional offices in our communities.That work begins now. The clock is already ticking toward the primary election on June 17, and the general election will be here sooner than we think.
So visit the Department of Elections website (elections.virginia.gov/registration) to confirm your registration and buckle in for what will be a lively election season this year, one that will almost certainly see Virginia make history.
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