Historic Election Day for Virginia, State Poised to Elect First Female Governor

November 4, 2025

Virginia is making history with its current Election Day, as the state will elect its first woman governor regardless of whether Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears wins the race. Spanberger, a moderate former congresswoman, has campaigned on affordability issues and holds a growing lead in recent polls, while Earle-Sears, a Trump-endorsed Marine Corps veteran, has focused on tax cuts and immigration enforcement while opposing LGBTQ+ protections. The lieutenant governor and attorney general races remain extremely competitive, with state Senator Ghazala Hashmi holding a narrow lead over John Reid, and the attorney general contest between Jay Jones and incumbent Jason Miyares being the closest of all.

Who is affected

Virginia residents and voters
Abigail Spanberger (Democratic gubernatorial candidate)
Winsome Earle-Sears (Republican gubernatorial candidate)
Ghazala Hashmi (Democratic lieutenant governor candidate)
John Reid (Republican lieutenant governor candidate)
Jay Jones (Democratic attorney general candidate)
Jason Miyares (Republican incumbent attorney general)
African American voters in Virginia
LGBTQ+ communities
Muslim and Indian-American communities
Latino communities
Younger voters
Virginia families concerned about medical costs and homeownership

What action is being taken

Virginians are voting in the gubernatorial, lieutenant governor, and attorney general elections
National figures including former President Barack Obama are campaigning for Democratic candidates
President Donald Trump has endorsed Winsome Earle-Sears
Candidates are running campaigns focused on their respective policy platforms
Polling organizations are conducting and releasing voter surveys

Why it matters

This election represents a historic milestone as Virginia will elect its first woman governor in the state's entire history, breaking a barrier that has existed for hundreds of years. The races are significant nationally as Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections traditionally serve as early indicators of political sentiment heading into midterm elections. Additionally, the election could result in other historic firsts, including the potential election of Virginia's first Muslim and Indian-American to statewide office if Hashmi wins. The outcomes will determine policy directions on critical issues including reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, immigration enforcement, taxation, and voting rights that directly impact various communities throughout Virginia.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer