2025 Virginia gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2025 Virginia gubernatorial election
Country:	Virginia
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2021 Virginia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2021
Next Election:	2029 Virginia gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2029
Election Date:	November 4, 2025
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Glenn Youngkin
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)

The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin will be ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the state's governors from serving consecutive terms.

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Winsome Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (2022–present)^[1]

Potential

• Amanda Chase, former state senator (2016–2024) and candidate for governor in 2021^[2]
• Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia (2022–present)^[2]
• Rob Wittman, U.S. Representative from (2007–present)^[3]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jason Miyares	Winsome Sears	Undecided
Cygnal (R)	March 13–14, 2024	510 (LV)	± 4.3%	16%		44%	41%
Differentiators Data	February 21–24, 2023	500 (LV)	± 4.5%	17%		48%	35%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Representative from (2019–present)

Withdrawn

• Levar Stoney, mayor of Richmond (2017–present) and former Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014–2016) (running for lieutenant governor)^[4]

Declined

• Elaine Luria, former U.S. Representative from (2019–2023) (endorsed Spanberger)^[5]
• Terry McAuliffe, former governor of Virginia (2014–2018) and nominee for governor in 2021 (endorsed Stoney)^[6]
• Ralph Northam, former governor of Virginia (2018–2022) (endorsed Spanberger)^[7]
• Jennifer Wexton, U.S. Representative from (2019–present) (endorsed Spanberger)^[8]

Endorsements

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Abigail Spanberger	Levar Stoney	Undecided
Public Policy Polling (D)	March 25–26, 2024	734 (LV)	—		44%	11%		45%
Christopher Newport University	January 11–16, 2024	1000 (RV)	± 3.7%		52%	8%	40%

General election

Polling

Winsome Sears vs. Abigail Spanberger

Jason Miyares vs. Abigail Spanberger

Notes

Partisan clients

External links

• Abigail Spanberger (D) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Feld, Lowell . 2024-07-19 . Audio: On MAGA Radio, LG Winsome Sears Desperately Grovels to Get Back in “Changed Man” (LOL!) Trump’s Good Graces; Says She’s “Exploring” a 2025 Run for Governor, Definitely Will NOT Run for Reelection as LG . 2024-07-19 . Blue Virginia . en-US.
2. Web site: Rankin . Sarah . Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger is running for governor instead of seeking reelection to the House . AP News . The Associated Press . 13 November 2023 . en . 13 November 2023.
3. Web site: Feld, Lowell . 2023-11-11 . As Expected, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07) Announces She’s Not Running for Reelection to Congress, WILL Run for Virginia Governor in 2025 . 2023-11-11 . Blue Virginia . en-US.
4. News: Vozzella . Laura . Richmond Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, seeks lt. governor post . 23 April 2024 . . 22 April 2024.
5. Brandon Jarvis. Jaaavis. 1725499378901614850. Former Rep. Elaine Luria is endorsing @SpanbergerVA07 for Governor. November 17, 2023.
6. Web site: Montellaro . Zach . 2023-12-05 . McAuliffe backs Richmond Mayor Stoney in 2025 Virginia governor race . 2023-12-06 . POLITICO . en.
7. Web site: Martz . Michael . 2023-11-15 . Northam endorses Spanberger in run for governor . 2023-12-06 . Richmond Times-Dispatch . en.
8. Web site: Portnoy . Jenna . Rep. Jennifer Wexton will not seek reelection as diagnosis changes . Washington Post . 18 September 2023.