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←2021
Governor of Virginia
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 3, 2025
Primary: June 17, 2025 (canceled) General: November 4, 2025 Pre-election incumbent(s): Glenn Youngkin (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Virginia
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2025 Impact of term limits in 2025 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2025
Virginia executive elections
Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General

Abigail Spanberger (D) andWinsome Earle-Sears (R) are running in the general election forGovernor of Virginia onNovember 4, 2025. The filing deadline was April 3, 2025. The Democratic and Republican primaries were scheduled for June 17, 2025 but were cancelled after only two candidates filed to run. IncumbentGlenn Youngkin (R) is term-limited. The primary is June 17, 2025. The filing deadline was April 3, 2025.

University of Mary Washington professor Stephen J. Farnsworth said "Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor."^[1]

Abigail Spanberger (D) representedthe 7th Congressional District from 2019 to 2025. Spanberger says she is "focus[ed] on strengthening our public education system, lowering costs for families and keeping our communities safe."^[2] Spanberger is also campaigning on increasing childcare affordability, saying, "I have met far too many parents across Virginia who sometimes make the hard choice to back away from the workforce, all because the cost of child care may be greater than the parents’ take-home pay."^[3] Spanberger has also emphasized her experience in Congress, saying she has "a really clear background and evidence of my ability to build coalitions across party lines...I have a very clear history of bringing people together to...deliver results."^[4]

Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is the incumbent lieutenant governor of Virginia. She was first elected in2021 and is running on her record. Her campaign website says, "As Lieutenant Governor, she led reforms across 13 medical boards, championed legislative change, and fought to increase educational freedom, scoring major victories for charter schools."^[5] Earle-Sears also said, "I will never stop fighting to make life more affordable, our schools stronger, and our communities safer. We’ve delivered important progress over the past four years, and we still have so much more to do."^[5]Earle-Sears is also campaigning to continue building on Youngkin's tax policies, saying, "We’re talking about billions of dollars that we returned to you, the Virginians...We’re going to continue that because that’s part of the reason why our economy flourished."^[6]

Sabato's Crystal Ball analyst J. Miles Coleman says, "Even though Virginia has become more Democratic in recent years, it still has this countervailing trend where it tends to snap against whichever party wins the White House."^[7] In2017,Ralph Northam (D) was elected governor whileDonald Trump (R) was president. In2021,Glenn Youngkin (R) won duringJoe Biden’s (D) presidency. University of Lynchburg professor David Richards says that in the past, the presidential administration in office at the time of the election has had an effect on the governor's race. He says in 2025, "The question is how far along Trump’s agenda will be by the fall of 2025. If things are going well, the GOP could draft on that success, but if things are chaotic, then that will be a problem."^[8]

Virginia is one of two states holding gubernatorial elections in 2025, the other beingNew Jersey.Click here to learn more about gubernatorial elections in 2025.

On this page, you will find

• Voting dates and deadlines
• Campaign finance information
• Profiles about the candidates
• Abrief history of gubernatorial elections in Virginia

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

• Virginia gubernatorial election, 2025 (June 17 Democratic primary)
• Virginia gubernatorial election, 2025 (June 17 Republican primary)

Candidates and election results

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for Governor of Virginia

Abigail Spanberger andWinsome Earle-Sears are running in the general election for Governor of Virginia on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Abigail Spanberger (D)
		Winsome Earle-Sears (R)

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	There are noincumbents in this race.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Levar Stoney (D)

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled.Abigail Spanberger advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled.Winsome Earle-Sears advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Virginia.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Amanda Chase (R)
• Merle Rutledge (R)
• Dave LaRock (R)

Voting information

See also:Voting in Virginia

Campaign finance

The section and tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available byTransparency USA.

Candidate profiles

There are currently no candidate profiles created for this race. Candidate profiles will appear here as they are created. Encourage the candidates in this race to completeBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey so that their profile will appear here. You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• Abigail Spanberger
• Winsome Earle-Sears

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

No candidate in this race has completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• Abigail Spanberger
• Winsome Earle-Sears

Election history

Margin of victory in past contests

The following chart shows themargin of victory for candidates elected as the governor of Virginia in elections going back to 1997.

Five of the last seven gubernatorial contests were decided with a margin of victory of less than 10 points. The average margin of victory for Republican candidates is 10.9%, and the average for Democratic candidates is 5.6%.

Past primary contests

The following chart shows the results of the seven most recent Democratic gubernatorial primaries in Virginia.

In four Virginia Democratic primaries, a candidate ran for the nomination unopposed. The most competitive primary was in2017 whenRalph Northam (D) defeatedTom Perriello (D) by a margin of 55.9% to 44.1%.

The following chart shows the results of the seven most recent Republican gubernatorial primaries in Virginia.

In four Virginia Republican primaries, a candidate ran for the nomination unopposed. The most competitive primary was in2017 whenEd Gillespie (R) defeatedCorey Stewart (R) andFrank Wagner by a margin of 43.7% with Stewart receiving 42.5% and Wagner receiving 13.8%.

2021

Main article:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021

Glenn Youngkin (R) defeatedTerry McAuliffe (D) in the general election forgovernor of Virginia on November 2, 2021, becoming the first Republican to win a statewide election in the state since 2009. Incumbent Gov.Ralph Northam (D) was unable to seek re-election due toterm limits.^[9]

TheLos Angeles Times' Janet Hook called the race "the first big test of strength between parties since Biden was elected" and said it "could set the tone for the 2022 midterm election."^[10] The outcome of this election, in addition to the state'sHouse of Delegates elections, also determined Virginia'strifecta status. Virginia became a Democratic trifecta in 2019, for the first time since 1994. Youngkin's victory switched Virginia to a split government.

McAuliffe was governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018 and chairman of theDemocratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005.^[11][12] He emphasized his previous term as governor, saying he "brought 200,000 good paying jobs to the Commonwealth, drove unemployment down, and raised personal income."^[13] He compared Youngkin to former PresidentDonald Trump (R), saying, "[Youngkin] is nothing more than a Trump loyalist, dead set on advancing an extreme agenda here in Virginia."^[14][15][16]

Youngkin was a former co-CEO and president of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, where he worked from 1995 to 2020.^[17] In aCandidate Connection survey submitted to Ballotpedia, Youngkin said, "We need a governor with real-world experience who can create jobs, keep businesses from leaving, put an open-for-business sign on Virginia, and create a rip-roaring economy that lifts all Virginians."^[18] Read his full survey responseshere. He described McAuliffe as "a recycled, 40-year political insider and career politician who pretends to be a businessman."^[19]

Princess Blanding (Liberation) andPaul Davis (I) also ran in the election. Blanding appeared on the general election ballot. Davis ran as a write-in candidate.

At the time of the election, Democrats had won four of the five most recent gubernatorial elections and all thirteen statewide elections in Virginia since2012.Joe Biden (D) won the state in the2020 presidential election, receiving 54% of the vote toDonald Trump's (R) 44%.

2017

Main article:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2017

The winner in this race wasLt. Gov.Ralph Northam (D). Clickhere to view vote totals for this election.Virginia held an election forgovernor onNovember 7, 2017.Gov.Terry McAuliffe (D) was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election.Lt. Gov.Ralph Northam (D), formerRepublican National Committee ChairmanEd Gillespie (R), and patent attorneyCliff Hyra (L) ran for the open seat. The most recent overallrace rating from five separate outlets was .^[20] Virginia law requires that voters register 22 days in advance of an election, meaning that the final day to register to vote in this election was October 16, 2017.

On this page, you will findan overview of the three candidates that were running forgovernor andtheir stances on the major issues facing the state, as well asthe endorsements they earned. This is followed by information onpolling,campaign finance, andrace ratings. At the bottom of the page, information onpast elections andVirginia's political climate are provided to contextualize the election.

As winner of the election, Northam will preside overthe state's redistricting following the 2020 census and will have the ability to veto proposed district maps.^[21]To see information about the June 13 primary election in this race, clickhere.

2013

See also:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013

TheVirginia gubernatorial election was held onNovember 5, 2013 following a Democratic primary election onJune 11, 2013 and a Republican statewide convention onMay 17-18, 2013.

IncumbentBob McDonnell (R) wasterm limited from running for re-election in 2013.

Democratic businessmanTerry McAuliffe defeatedRepublican Attorney GeneralKen Cuccinelli to take the seat.^[22]

Past elections

See also: Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021

Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021 (June 8 Democratic primary)

Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021 (May 8 Republican convention)

General election

General election for Governor of Virginia

Glenn Youngkin defeatedTerry McAuliffe,Princess Blanding, andPaul Davis in the general election for Governor of Virginia on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Glenn Youngkin (R)	50.6	1,663,596
		Terry McAuliffe (D)	48.6	1,600,116
		Princess Blanding (Liberation Party)	0.7	23,125
		Paul Davis (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	2,593

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	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,289,430
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Brad Froman (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia

Terry McAuliffe defeatedJennifer D. Carroll Foy,Jennifer McClellan,Justin Fairfax, andLee Carter in the Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia on June 8, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Terry McAuliffe	62.1	307,367
		Jennifer D. Carroll Foy	19.8	98,052
		Jennifer McClellan	11.8	58,213
		Justin Fairfax	3.6	17,606
		Lee Carter	2.8	13,694

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	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 494,932
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican Convention for Governor of Virginia

Select round:Round 6Round 5Round 4Round 3Round 2Round 1

The following candidates advanced in theranked-choice voting election:Glenn Youngkin in round 6 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	54.7	6,868	1,557	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	45.3	5,686	1,608	6
		Amanda Chase	0.0	0	-3,164	6
		Kirk Cox	0.0	0	0	5
		Sergio de la Pena	0.0	0	0	4
		Peter Doran	0.0	0	0	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	42.3	5,311	979	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	32.5	4,078	575	6
		Amanda Chase	25.2	3,164	305	6
		Kirk Cox	0.0	0	-1,860	5
		Sergio de la Pena	0.0	0	0	4
		Peter Doran	0.0	0	0	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	34.5	4,332	183	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	27.9	3,503	253	6
		Amanda Chase	22.8	2,859	239	6
		Kirk Cox	14.8	1,860	154	5
		Sergio de la Pena	0.0	0	-830	4
		Peter Doran	0.0	0	0	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	33.0	4,149	8	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	25.9	3,250	6	6
		Amanda Chase	20.9	2,620	8	6
		Kirk Cox	13.6	1,706	8	5
		Sergio de la Pena	6.6	830	17	4
		Peter Doran	0.0	0	-48	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.0	0	0	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	33.0	4,141	9	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	25.8	3,244	2	6
		Amanda Chase	20.8	2,612	6	6
		Kirk Cox	13.5	1,698	4	5
		Sergio de la Pena	6.5	813	8	4
		Peter Doran	0.4	48	6	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.0	0	-34	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Glenn Youngkin	32.9	4,132	0	Advanced (6)
		Pete Snyder	25.8	3,242	0	6
		Amanda Chase	20.8	2,606	0	6
		Kirk Cox	13.5	1,694	0	5
		Sergio de la Pena	6.4	805	0	4
		Peter Doran	0.3	42	0	3
	Submit photo	Octavia L. Johnson	0.3	34	0	1

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	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,555
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Merle Rutledge (R)
• Kurt Santini (R)
• Paul Davis (R)

2017

Virginia Gubernatorial Election, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Ralph Northam	53.86%	1,405,041
	Republican	Ed Gillespie	44.98%	1,173,326
	Libertarian	Cliff Hyra	1.16%	30,241
Total Votes (2566/2566 precincts reporting)				2,608,608
Source:The New York Times, "Live Election Results: Virginia," November 7, 2017

2013

Virginia Gubernatorial General Election, 2013
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Terry McAuliffe	47.8%	1,069,789
	Republican	Ken Cuccinelli	45.2%	1,013,354
	Libertarian	Robert Sarvis	6.5%	146,084
	N/A	Write-in	0.5%	11,087
Total Votes				2,240,314
Election Results viaVirginia State Board of Elections.

2009

See also:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2009

The 2009 Virginia gubernatorial election was held onNovember 3, 2009, following a Democratic primary election on June 9, 2009 and a Republican statewide convention on May 30, 2009.Bob McDonnell (R) ran against Sen.Creigh Deeds (D) and won the election with 58.6% of the popular vote.^[23]

Governor of Virginia General Election, 2009
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Creigh Deeds	41.3%	818,950
	Republican	Bob McDonnell	58.6%	1,163,651
	None	Write In	0.1%	2,502
Total Votes				1,985,103

2005

See also:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2005

The 2005 Virginia gubernatorial election was held onNovember 8, 2005, following a Republican primary election on June 14, 2005.Tim Kaine (D) ran against Jerry Kilgore (R) and Russ Potts (I), and won the election with 51.72% of the popular vote.^[24]

Governor of Virginia General Election, 2005
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Tim Kaine	51.7%	1,025,942
	Republican	Jerry Kilgore	46%	912,327
	Independent	Russ Potts	2.2%	43,953
	None	Write In	0.1%	1,556
Total Votes				1,983,778

2001

See also:Virginia gubernatorial election, 2001

The 2001 Virginia gubernatorial election was held onNovember 6, 2001, following a Republican convention on June 2, 2001.^[25]Mark Warner (D) ran against Mark Earley (R) andWilliam "Bill" Redpath (L), and won the election with 52.16% of the popular vote.^[26]

Governor of Virginia General Election, 2001
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark Warner	52.2%	984,177
	Republican	Mark Earley	47%	887,234
	Libertarian	Bill Redpath	0.8%	14,497
	None	Write In	0%	813
Total Votes				1,886,721

See also

Virginia	State Executive Elections	News and Analysis
Virginia State Executive OfficesVirginia State LegislatureVirginia Courts	2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016Virginia elections:2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016	Party control of state governmentState government trifectasState of the state addressesPartisan composition of governors

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Office of the Governor of Virginia

Footnotes

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