ABC News projects Democrat Abigail Spanberger will win the closely watched governor’s race, besting Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and becoming the first woman elected governor of Virginia.
Republicans had hoped to keep the governorship — currently held by term-limited Gov. Glenn Youngkin — in their hands, while Democrats aimed to capitalize on backlash to federal government layoffs, which have been deeply felt in Virginia.
Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears Oct. 25, 2025 and Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Sept. 19, 2025.
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Both candidates discussed issues such as energy, education, and immigration enforcement on the trail and during their debate in October.
Down the ballot, Republican candidate and radio host John Reid is facing Democratic candidate state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi in the race for lieutenant governor, which is voted on separately from governor.
Virginia State Senator and Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Ghazala Hashmi and Republican candidate for Lt. Governor John Reid, Apr. 30, 2025.
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In the race for attorney general, Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent, is facing off against Democratic candidate and former House of Delegates member Jay Jones.
Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general Jay Jones, Oct. 16, 2025 and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares, Oct. 16, 2025.
AP
Jones faced calls from Republicans to drop out of the race in October after Jones’ recent texting scandal, in which he was revealed to have called for violence against a Republican lawmaker. Jones has apologized for the texts and said he will be “accountable for my mistakes.”