On Tuesday, voters in Virginia cast ballots in the Republican and Democratic primaries that will shape hotly contested statewide elections and determine control of the House of Delegates this November. As is customary, Virginia’s elections are drawing national attention — only Virginia and New Jersey hold statewide elections in 2025, which are often viewed as early bellwethers for national political trends.
All Republican statewide nominees were already set heading into Tuesday. In contrast, Democrats held competitive races for both Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, drawing significant attention and record early-voting numbers across the Commonwealth.
Governor's Race
The gubernatorial field for the November general election has already been set with no primary contests on either side. On the Democratic side, former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger will carry the party’s banner. On the Republican side, current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears secured her ticket as the party’s nominee.
No matter the result, Virginia is on track to make history by electing its first female governor.
Lieutenant Governor’s Race
History is also on the line in the race for Lieutenant Governor. Senator Ghazala Hashmi has secured the Democratic nomination, and if elected, would become the first South Asian and first Muslim candidate elected to statewide office in Virginia.
Hashmi narrowly emerged at the top of a crowded field, with just over one percentage point separating her from former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and Senator Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach. The final vote breakdown is below:
Source: VPAP.org
Meanwhile, Republican John Reid, a conservative radio host, ran unopposed and will be the party’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor. If elected, Reid would become the first openly gay Republican to hold a statewide office in the United States.
Attorney General’s Race
The Democratic primary for Attorney General was also a closely contested race. Former Delegate Jay Jones narrowly defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, garnering 51.01% of the vote to Taylor’s 48.99%.
Jones, who previously served in the House of Delegates from 2018 to 2021, will now face incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking a second term. Miyares became the first Hispanic Attorney General in Virginia when he first won in 2021.
House of Delegates Nomination Contests
In addition to the statewide races, both parties held primaries across a variety of House districts. Only three incumbents faced challenges and each won by comfortable margins. The remainder of the races featured mostly newcomers in open seats.
Democrats currently hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the House, making every seat highly consequential as both parties aim to control the chamber in November.
Democratic Nominees:
- HD 1: Del. Patrick Hope (incumbent)
- HD 40: Donna Littlepage (open)
- HD 49: Gary Miller (open)
- HD 57: May Nivar (open)
- HD 72: Randolph Critzer, Jr. (open)
- HD 73: Leslie Mehta (open)
- HD 75: Lindsey Dougherty (open)
- HD 81: Del. Delores McQuinn (incumbent)
- HD 89: Karen Carnegie (open)
Republican Nominees:
- HD 21: Gregory L. Gorham (open)
- HD 37: Del. Terry Austin (incumbent)
- HD 46: Mitchell Cornett (open)
- HD 49: Madison Whittle (open)
- HD 62: Karen Hamilton (open)
- HD 70: Cynthia Scaturico (open)
- HD 89: Mike Lamonea (open)
- HD 97: Tim Anderson (open)
Setting the State for November
With the November ballots now finalized, Virginia enters the national spotlight once again as one of the most politically dynamic and closely watched states in the country. The races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and control of the House of Delegates will not only shape the Commonwealth’s future, but may also foreshadow national political trends heading into 2026 and beyond.
