2017 Virginia gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2017 Virginia gubernatorial election
Country:	Virginia
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2013 Virginia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2013
Next Election:	2021 Virginia gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2021
Election Date:	November 7, 2017
Image1:	File:Governor Ralph Northam Gives Inaugural Address (39348612584) (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Ralph Northam
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	1,409,175
Percentage1:	53.90%
Nominee2:	Ed Gillespie
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,175,731
Percentage2:	44.97%
Turnout:	47.6% 4.6
Governor
Before Election:	Terry McAuliffe
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Ralph Northam
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2017. Incumbent Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe was unable to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the officeholder from serving consecutive terms; he later ran unsuccessfully for a second term in 2021.

Primary elections took place on June 13, 2017. Virginia utilizes an open primary, in which registered voters are allowed to vote in either party's primary election.^[1] Democrats nominated incumbent lieutenant governor Ralph Northam and Republicans nominated former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie. Libertarians nominated Clifford Hyra by convention on May 6, 2017.^[2]

In the general election on November 7, 2017, Northam defeated Republican Gillespie, winning by the largest margin for a Democrat since 1985. Northam assumed office as the 73rd Governor of Virginia on January 13, 2018.^[3] The election had the highest voter turnout percentage in a Virginia gubernatorial election in twenty years, with over 47% of registered voters casting their ballot.^[4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ralph Northam, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia^{[5] [6]}

Eliminated in primary

• Tom Perriello, former U.S. representative^[7]

Declined

• Gerry Connolly, U.S. representative^{[8] [9]}
• Mark Herring, Attorney General of Virginia (running for re-election)^[10]
• Brian Moran, Virginia Secretary of Public Safety, former state delegate and candidate for governor in 2009^[11]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam	Tom Perriello	Other	Undecided
Change Research^[12]	June 8–10, 2017	919	± 3.1%	46%	align=center	54%	—	—
Hampton University^[13]	June 1–6, 2017	750	± 4.2%	21%	align=center	29%	—	align=center	50%
HaystaqDNA (D-Perriello)^[14]	June 1–6, 2017	455	—	36%	align=center	37%	—	29%
Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Northam)^[15]	May 15–17, 2017	601	± 4.0%	align=center	50%	33%	—	17%
Washington Post-Schar School^[16]	May 9–14, 2017	351	± 6.0%	38%	align=center	40%	—	18%
Public Policy Polling (D)^[17]	May 9–10, 2017	745	± 3.6%	align=center	45%	35%	—	21%
Public Policy Polling (D)^[18]	April 13–14, 2017	586	± 4.1%	align=center	42%	28%	—	30%
Quinnipiac University^[19]	April 6–10, 2017	483	± 4.5%	20%	align=center	25%	1%	align=center	51%
Christopher Newport University^[20]	March 16–26, 2017	391	± 5.4%	26%	26%	3%	align=center	45%
Quinnipiac University^[21]	February 10–15, 2017	462	± 4.6%	19%	19%	3%	align=center	61%
Christopher Newport University^[22]	January 15–28, 2017	464	± 4.8%	15%	align=center	26%	1%	align=center	58%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Herring	Ralph Northam	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling^[23]	July 13–15, 2015	409	± 4.9%	align=center	33%	9%	—	align=center	58%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee; nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014^{[6] [24]}

Eliminated in primary

• Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2013^[25]
• Frank Wagner, state senator^[26]

Failed to qualify

• Emmanuel Peter, bishop^[27]

Withdrew

• Denver Riggleman, businessman^{[28] [29]}
• Rob Wittman, U.S. representative^{[30] [31]}

Declined

• Bill Bolling, former lieutenant governor of Virginia^[32]
• Eric Cantor, former Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives^{[33] [34]}
• Ken Cuccinelli, former attorney general of Virginia; nominee for governor in 2013^[35]
• Randy Forbes, former U.S. representative^{[36] [37]}
• Tom Garrett Jr., U.S. representative^[38]
• Shak Hill, financial consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014^[35]
• Jeff McWaters, former state senator^{[39] [40] [41]}
• Mark Obenshain, state senator; nominee for attorney general in 2013^[42]
• Pete Snyder, technology executive and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2013^{[39] [43] [44]}

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ed Gillespie	Corey Stewart	Frank Wagner	Rob Wittman	Other	Undecided
Change Research^[45]	June 8–10, 2017	919	± 3.1%	41%	align=center	42%	16%	—	—	—
Washington Post-Schar School^[46]	May 9–14, 2017	264	± 7.0%	align=center	38%	18%	15%	—	—	align=center	24%
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	435	± 4.7%	align=center	28%	12%	7%	—	2%	align=center	51%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	349	± 5.7%	align=center	38%	11%	10%	—	3%	align=center	38%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	419	± 4.8%	align=center	24%	7%	2%	—	6%	align=center	59%
Christopher Newport University	January 15–28, 2017	418	± 5.0%	align=center	33%	7%	9%	—	3%	align=center	48%
Quinnipiac University^[47]	December 6–11, 2016	451	± 4.6%	align=center	24%	4%	4%	10%	—	align=center	57%
Public Opinion Strategies^[48]	September 18–21, 2016	800	± 3.5%	align=center	38%	5%	4%	12%	—	align=center	40%
Public Policy Polling (D)^[49]	June 13–15, 2016	1,032	± 3.1%	align=center	29%	13%	—	16%	—	align=center	41%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Bolling	Eric Cantor	Ken Cuccinelli	Ed Gillespie	Mark Obenshain	Pete Snyder	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	502	4.4%	8%	16%	align=center	37%	8%	7%	1%	23%

Results

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Nominee

• Cliff Hyra, attorney^[50]

Withdrawn

• Jason Carrier

General election

The race had been closely watched by national observers. For Republicans, National Review wrote that Gillespie's campaign was an important example of whether and how mainstream Republican politics can produce victories in a purple state in the "era of Trumpism" and said that the outcome would affect Republican strategies in future races.^[51] Many Democrats believed that the election was a test of whether the party could find its way after losing the 2016 presidential election and several subsequent special elections.^[52] NBC News reported that Northam was the "hand-picked" choice of outgoing governor Terry McAuliffe, and that McAuliffe's legacy and potential 2020 presidential aspirations depended on Northam winning the election.

Debates

After the primaries, Gillespie challenged Northam to ten debates, but only three were held.^[53] The first debate was hosted by the Virginia Bar Association on July 22 in Hot Springs, Virginia.^[54] The second was held on September 19, hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and televised statewide by NBC-affiliated TV stations.^[55] The third and final debate was held on October 9 at University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, Virginia.^[56]

Dates	Location	Northam	Gillespie	Link
September 19, 2017	Tysons, Virginia	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN
October 9, 2017	Wise, Virginia	Participant	Participant	align=left	Full debate - C-SPAN

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[57]		October 6, 2017
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[58]		October 27, 2017
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[59]		October 13, 2017

Polling

Polls for the general election varied significantly, ranging from a 17-point lead for Ralph Northam on one end to an 8-point lead for Ed Gillespie on the other, with most polls showing the race within or close to the margin of error. Politico reported that the wide variation in polling numbers was likely due to differences in methodology among the polls.^[60] Polls tightened significantly in the last two weeks of the campaign with several showing the race tied or within the margin of error.^{[61] [62] [63]} Aggregate polls

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small style="width:60px;"	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Ed Gillespie (R)	Cliff Hyra (L)	Other	Undecided
FOX News^[65]	align=center rowspan=2	November 2–5, 2017	1,239 LV	align=center rowspan=2	± 2.5%	align=center	48%	43%	3%	1%	7%
	1,450 RV	align=center	45%	41%	3%	1%	9%
The Polling Company (R)^[66]	align=center rowspan=2	November 2–5, 2017	align=center rowspan=2	800	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.5%	align=center	45%	44%	3%	–	4%
	align=center	47%	46%	–	–	4%
Monmouth University^[67]	November 2–5, 2017	713	± 3.7%	align=center	47%	45%	3%	1%	5%
IMGE Insights (R)^[68]	November 1–5, 2017	800	± 3.5%	align=center	48%	47%	—	—	—
Change Research^[69]	November 1–5, 2017	3,648	± 2.8%	align=center	52%	46%	2%	–	0%
Quinnipiac University^[70]	October 30 – November 5, 2017	1,056	± 3.9%	align=center	51%	42%	3%	–	4%
Emerson College^[71]	November 2–4, 2017	810	± 3.4%	align=center	49%	46%	1%	–	4%
Christopher Newport University^[72]	October 29 – November 4, 2017	839	± 3.5%	align=center	51%	45%	2%	–	2%
Rasmussen Reports^[73]	October 31 – November 3, 2017	875	± 3.5%	45%	45%	2%	2%	6%
Gravis Marketing^[74]	October 30 – November 3, 2017	1,143	± 2.9%	align=center	48%	43%	3%	–	6%
0ptimus (R)^[75]	November 1–2, 2017	1,600	± 2.4%	37%	align=center	40%	–	–	23%
Trafalgar Group (R)^[76]	October 31 – November 2, 2017	1,200	± 3.3%	align=center	49%	48%	1%	–	2%
The Polling Company (R)^[77]	align=center rowspan=2	October 30 – November 2, 2017	align=center rowspan=2	800	align=center rowspan=2	± 3.5%	43%	align=center	45%	2%	–	7%
	43%	align=center	46%	–	–	7%
Upshot/Siena College^[78]	October 29 – November 2, 2017	985	± 3.0%	align=center	43%	40%	2%	–	14%
Roanoke College^[79]	October 29 – November 2, 2017	781	± 3.5%	47%	47%	3%	–	3%
Suffolk University^[80]	October 30 – November 1, 2017	500	± 4.4%	align=center	47%	43%	2%	–	6%
Washington Post/Schar School^[81]	align=center rowspan=2	October 26–29, 2017	921 LV	± 4.0%	align=center	49%	44%	4%	–	3%
	1,000 RV	± 3.5%	align=center	46%	39%	5%	–	5%
Quinnipiac University^[82]	October 25–29, 2017	916	± 4.2%	align=center	53%	36%	3%	–	7%
The Polling Company (R)^[83]	October 24–26, 2017	600 LV	± 4.0%	44%	44%	3%	–	7%
	October 23–26, 2017	800 LV	± 3.5%	43%	align=center	45%	–	–	9%
Christopher Newport University^[84]	October 20–25, 2017	812	± 3.8%	align=center	50%	43%	3%	–	4%
Plural Vote^[85]	October 15–25, 2017	397	± 4.9%	align=center	49%	46%	5%	–	–
Hampton University^[86]	October 18–22, 2017	750	± 4.2%	33%	align=center	41%	–	–	27%
FOX News^[87]	align=center rowspan=2	October 15–17, 2017	697 LV	± 3.5%	align=center	49%	42%	1%	2%	5%
	815 RV	± 3.0%	align=center	45%	42%	2%	2%	6%
Quinnipiac University^[88]	October 12–17, 2017	1,088	± 3.7%	align=center	53%	39%	2%	–	5%
Monmouth University^[89]	October 12–16, 2017	408	± 4.9%	47%	align=center	48%	3%	–	3%
Christopher Newport University^[90]	October 9–13, 2017	642	± 4.2%	align=center	48%	44%	3%	–	5%
Roanoke College^[91]	October 8–13, 2017	607	± 4.0%	align=center	50%	44%	2%	–	4%
Emerson College^[92]	October 5–7, 2017	318	± 5.5%	align=center	49%	44%	2%	–	5%
Christopher Newport University^[93]	October 2–6, 2017	928	± 4.3%	align=center	49%	42%	3%	–	6%
Washington Post/Schar School^[94]	align=center rowspan=2	September 28 – October 2, 2017	720 LV	± 4.5%	align=center	53%	40%	4%	–	2%
	1,000 RV	± 3.5%	align=center	48%	38%	5%	–	5%
Victoria Research (D)^[95]	September 24–28, 2017	631	± 4.2%	align=center	46%	44%	3%	–	–
Monmouth University^[96]	September 21–25, 2017	499	± 4.4%	align=center	49%	44%	2%	<1%	4%
Public Policy Polling^[97]	September 21–23, 2017	849	± 3.8%	align=center	43%	40%	4%	–	13%
Roanoke College^[98]	September 16–23, 2017	596	± 4.0%	align=center	47%	43%	5%	–	5%
Christopher Newport University^[99]	September 12–22, 2017	776	± 3.7%	align=center	47%	41%	4%	–	8%
FOX News^[100]	align=center rowspan=2	September 17–18, 2017	500 LV	± 4.5%	align=center	42%	41%	2%	2%	12%
	507 RV	± 4.0%	align=center	42%	38%	2%	2%	13%
Quinnipiac University^[101]	September 14–18, 2017	850	± 4.2%	align=center	51%	41%	3%	–	5%
IMGE Insights (R)^[102]	September 12–18, 2017	1,000	± 3.8%	align=center	45%	41%	4%	–	10%
Suffolk University^[103]	September 13–17, 2017	500	± 4.4%	42%	42%	3%	–	12%
Mason-Dixon^[104]	September 10–15, 2017	625	± 4%	align=center	44%	43%	2%	–	11%
University of Mary Washington^[105]	align=center rowspan=2	September 5–12, 2017	562 LV	± 5.2%	align=center	44%	39%	3%	1%	11%
	867 RV	± 4.1%	align=center	40%	35%	5%	–	16%
Roanoke College^[106]	August 12–19, 2017	599	± 4.0%	align=center	43%	36%	4%	–	17%
Quinnipiac University^[107]	August 3–8, 2017	1,082	± 3.8%	align=center	44%	38%	4%	1%	11%
Virginia Commonwealth University^[108]	align=center rowspan=2	July 17–25, 2017	538 LV	± 5.1%	align=center	42%	37%	6%	–	13%
	707 RV	± 4.5%	align=center	39%	33%	8%	–	16%
Monmouth University^[109]	July 20–23, 2017	502	± 4.4%	44%	44%	3%	<1%	9%
Quinnipiac University^[110]	June 15–20, 2017	1,145	± 3.8%	align=center	47%	39%	–	2%	9%
Harper Polling^[111]	June 14–16, 2017	500	± 4.4%	46%	46%	–	–	8%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)^[112]	June 6–8, 2017	600	± 4.0%	45%	align=center	46%	–	–	9%
Washington Post/Schar School^[113]	May 9–14, 2017	1,602	± 3.0%	align=center	49%	38%	–	–	9%
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	44%	33%	–	1%	19%
Christopher Newport University^[114]	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	39%	align=center	40%	–	2%	19%
Gravis Marketing^[115]	March 14–19, 2017	3,097	± 1.6%	40%	align=center	42%	–	–	18%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	41%	35%	–	3%	22%
Mason-Dixon^[116]	January 5–10, 2017	625	± 4.0%	41%	align=center	44%	–	–	15%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)^[117]	December 11–13, 2016	500	± 4.4%	align=center	43%	38%	–	–	17%
Quinnipiac University	December 6–11, 2016	1,098	± 3.0%	align=center	38%	34%	–	1%	26%
University of Mary Washington^[118]	align=center rowspan=2	September 6–12, 2016	685 LV	± 4.4%	36%	align=center	43%	–	1%	16%
	852 RV	± 3.9%	36%	align=center	41%	–	1%	18%
Public Policy Polling^[119]	September 9–11, 2016	878	± 3.3%	37%	37%	–	–	26%
Public Policy Polling^[120]	June 13–15, 2016	1,032	± 3.1%	36%	align=center	37%	–	–	28%
Gravis Marketing^[121]	May 24, 2016	1,728	± 2.0%	38%	align=center	40%	–	–	22%
University of Mary Washington	align=center rowspan=2	November 4–9, 2015	656 LV	± 4.3%	32%	align=center	44%	–	1%	16%
	814 RV	± 3.9%	33%	align=center	40%	–	1%	18%
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	30%	align=center	40%	–	–	32%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Perriello (D)	Ed Gillespie (R)	Other	Undecided
Washington Post/Schar School^[122]	May 9–14, 2017	1,602	± 3.0%	align=center	50%	37%	–	9%
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	46%	33%	1%	18%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	39%	39%	2%	20%
Gravis Marketing^[123]	March 14–19, 2017	3,097	± 1.6%	align=center	42%	41%	–	18%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	43%	36%	1%	20%
Mason-Dixon	January 5–10, 2017	625	± 4.0%	36%	align=center	45%	–	19%

with Corey Stewart

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Corey Stewart (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	43%	30%	1%	23%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	align=center	41%	33%	2%	24%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	42%	31%	2%	24%
Mason-Dixon	January 5–10, 2017	625	± 4.0%	align=center	45%	37%	–	18%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)	December 11–13, 2016	500	± 4.4%	align=center	42%	35%	–	22%
Quinnipiac University	December 6–11, 2016	1,098	± 3.0%	align=center	38%	29%	1%	align=center	30%
University of Mary Washington	align=center rowspan=2	September 6–12, 2016	685 LV	± 4.4%	39%	39%	1%	18%
	852 RV	± 3.9%	align=center	39%	37%	1%	19%
Public Policy Polling	September 9–11, 2016	878	± 3.3%	align=center	39%	31%	–	30%
Public Policy Polling	June 13–15, 2016	1,032	± 3.1%	align=center	34%	32%	–	align=center	34%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Perriello (D)	Corey Stewart (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	45%	31%	1%	20%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	align=center	40%	34%	2%	25%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	44%	31%	3%	22%
Mason-Dixon	January 5–10, 2017	625	± 4.0%	align=center	40%	38%	–	22%

with Frank Wagner

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Frank Wagner (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	43%	30%	1%	24%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	align=center	40%	34%	2%	25%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	41%	33%	3%	24%
Public Opinion Strategies (R)	December 11–13, 2016	500	± 4.4%	align=center	43%	37%	–	19%
Quinnipiac University	December 6–11, 2016	1,098	± 3.0%	align=center	39%	30%	1%	28%
University of Mary Washington	align=center rowspan=2	September 6–12, 2016	685 LV	± 4.4%	39%	align=center	40%	1%	17%
	852 RV	± 3.9%	39%	39%	1%	18%
Public Policy Polling	September 9–11, 2016	878	± 3.3%	align=center	37%	32%	–	32%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Perriello (D)	Frank Wagner (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	April 6–10, 2017	1,115	± 2.9%	align=center	43%	32%	1%	21%
Christopher Newport University	March 16–26, 2017	831	± 3.7%	align=center	38%	35%	2%	25%
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	43%	32%	2%	23%

with Denver Riggleman

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Denver Riggleman (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	42%	31%	2%	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Tom Perriello (D)	Denver Riggleman (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	February 10–15, 2017	989	± 3.1%	align=center	43%	30%	2%	24%

with Rob Wittman

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Rob Wittman (R)	Other	Undecided
Quinnipiac University	December 6–11, 2016	1,098	± 3.0%	align=center	39%	30%	1%	29%
University of Mary Washington	align=center rowspan=2	September 6–12, 2016	685 LV	± 4.4%	38%	38%	1%	18%
	852 RV	± 3.9%	align=center	39%	37%	1%	19%
Public Policy Polling	September 9–11, 2016	878	± 3.3%	align=center	38%	33%	–	29%
Public Policy Polling	June 13–15, 2016	1,032	± 3.1%	34%	34%	–	32%

with Ken Cuccinelli

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Ken Cuccinelli (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	35%	align=center	37%	–	28%

with Eric Cantor

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Eric Cantor (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	33%	align=center	35%	–	32%

with Mark Herring

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Herring (D)	Eric Cantor (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	align=center	36%	33%	–	31%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Herring (D)	Ken Cuccinelli (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	38%	38%	–	24%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Herring (D)	Ed Gillespie (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	34%	align=center	38%	–	28%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Herring (D)	Mark Obenshain (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	34%	34%	–	31%

with Ralph Northam

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Ralph Northam (D)	Mark Obenshain (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	July 13–15, 2015	1,170	± 2.9%	32%	align=center	36%	–	32%

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of November 30, 2017
Candidate	Amount raised
	Ralph Northam		$36,708,929
	Ed Gillespie		$29,344,226
	Cliff Hyra		$77,370
Source: Virginia Public Access Project^[124]

Virginia election laws allow for unlimited campaign contributions in state and local elections.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Northam's top five donors were the Democratic Governors Association's super PAC DGA Action; Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety group; the Virginia League of Conservation Voters; Michael D. Bills; and the Laborers' International Union of North America.^[125]

Gillespie's top five donors were the Republican Governors Association; A Stronger Virginia; Let's Grow Virginia; Marlene Ricketts; and Dwight Schar.^[126]

Hyra's top five donors were Michael Chastain; Hyra himself; the Libertarian Party of Virginia; Paradise Indian Restaurant; and nine donors who have given the same amount.^[127]

Results

Even though polls in the weeks before the election considered Northam to be the narrow favorite, Northam won by a larger margin than expected, about nine percent, and more than 200,000 votes. Gillespie was unable to come back from the large margins in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. and Virginia Beach, and he conceded to Northam at 8:56 pm EST.^[128] Northam's wider than expected margin of victory is often attributed to Trump's unpopularity in Virginia and claims that Gillespie was using fear-mongering which repelled more voters than it obtained.

By county and city

County	Northam	Votes	Gillespie	Votes	Hyra	Votes	Others	Votes
		Accomack	45.7%	4,876	53.7%	5,736	0.5%	54	0.0%	0
		Albemarle	63.8%	26,969	35.1%	14,857	1.1%	458	0.1%	24
		Alexandria	78.4%	40,896	20.7%	10,822	0.8%	434	0.1%	37
		Alleghany	33.6%	1,478	65.6%	2,888	0.8%	36	0.0%	1
		Amelia	30.4%	1,403	68.7%	3,170	0.9%	40	0.0%	1
		Amherst	35.7%	3,616	63.5%	6,431	0.8%	83	0.1%	14
		Appomattox	23.7%	1,227	75.3%	3,894	1.0%	50	0.0%	1
		Arlington	79.9%	68,093	19.1%	16,268	0.9%	801	0.1%	52
		Augusta	25.6%	6,030	73.0%	17,217	1.3%	311	0.1%	16
		Bath	30.4%	450	68.4%	1,013	1.1%	16	0.2%	3
		Bedford	25.1%	6,985	74.0%	20,573	0.9%	243	0.0%	6
		Bland	18.6%	388	80.4%	1,676	1.0%	20	0.0%	1
		Botetourt	27.3%	3,409	71.7%	8,965	1.0%	122	0.0%	6
		Bristol	28.9%	1,242	70.0%	3,006	1.0%	43	0.1%	3
		Brunswick	57.3%	2,728	42.3%	2,010	0.4%	19	0.0%	0
		Buchanan	23.4%	1,062	75.9%	3,449	0.6%	28	0.1%	3
		Buckingham	41.8%	1,924	57.3%	2,638	0.8%	36	0.1%	4
		Buena Vista	32.0%	529	65.9%	1,090	2.0%	33	0.2%	3
		Campbell	25.4%	4,415	73.6%	12,791	0.9%	156	0.1%	11
		Caroline	49.4%	4,126	49.5%	4,135	1.1%	96	0.0%	3
		Carroll	22.2%	1,838	76.9%	6,363	0.9%	74	0.0%	2
		Charles City	62.6%	1,699	36.8%	1,000	0.6%	17	0.0%	0
		Charlotte	35.4%	1,419	63.8%	2,559	0.8%	31	0.1%	5
		Charlottesville	84.8%	13,943	14.1%	2,315	1.0%	172	0.1%	18
		Chesapeake	53.1%	38,459	45.7%	33,108	1.2%	849	0.0%	31
		Chesterfield	49.7%	58,991	49.1%	58,297	1.1%	1,323	0.0%	58
		Clarke	43.1%	2,400	55.7%	3,102	1.2%	65	0.1%	5
		Colonial Heights	26.9%	1,389	71.8%	3,710	1.2%	63	0.0%	2
		Covington	40.6%	545	58.4%	784	0.9%	12	0.1%	1
		Craig	22.4%	413	75.9%	1,398	1.5%	28	0.1%	2
		Culpeper	36.7%	4,990	62.0%	8,423	1.2%	162	0.1%	12
		Cumberland	41.2%	1,292	57.7%	1,810	1.1%	33	0.0%	0
		Danville	57.2%	6,304	42.3%	4,664	0.5%	53	0.1%	7
		Dickenson	27.8%	959	71.3%	2,458	0.7%	25	0.1%	3
		Dinwiddie	44.5%	3,712	54.8%	4,565	0.7%	56	0.0%	2
		Emporia	55.7%	909	43.0%	702	1.3%	22	0.0%	0
		Essex	46.5%	1,730	52.7%	1,963	0.7%	26	0.1%	4
		Fairfax County	67.9%	255,200	31.2%	117,141	0.9%	3,423	0.1%	240
		Fairfax	64.8%	5,380	34.0%	2,822	1.1%	92	0.1%	6
		Falls Church	79.0%	4,781	19.7%	1,195	1.3%	76	0.0%	2
		Fauquier	39.2%	9,430	59.6%	14,332	1.1%	270	0.0%	7
		Floyd	35.4%	1,946	63.2%	3,468	1.3%	72	0.1%	5
		Fluvanna	46.3%	4,267	52.7%	4,864	1.0%	89	0.1%	5
		Franklin County	30.2%	5,315	68.6%	12,062	1.1%	201	0.1%	10
		Franklin	60.2%	1,539	39.2%	1,002	0.6%	15	0.0%	0
		Frederick	34.4%	8,363	64.4%	15,656	1.1%	278	0.1%	18
		Fredericksburg	64.4%	4,649	34.1%	2,463	1.5%	107	0.0%	2
		Galax	30.2%	409	68.6%	930	1.0%	13	0.2%	3
		Giles	27.5%	1,604	71.3%	4,161	1.1%	66	0.1%	3
		Gloucester	34.4%	4,356	64.5%	8,159	1.1%	140	0.0%	4
		Goochland	37.1%	3,911	61.9%	6,520	1.0%	104	0.1%	6
		Grayson	22.7%	1,029	76.7%	3,478	0.6%	28	0.0%	2
		Greene	35.2%	2,219	63.4%	4,000	1.4%	86	0.1%	4
		Greensville	56.8%	1,643	42.6%	1,232	0.6%	18	0.0%	0
		Halifax	38.8%	4,037	60.4%	6,291	0.8%	79	0.1%	7
		Hampton	71.6%	28,906	27.4%	11,050	1.0%	399	0.1%	29
		Hanover	34.2%	14,755	64.4%	27,779	1.4%	599	0.1%	24
		Harrisonburg	63.6%	6,555	34.9%	3,596	1.5%	154	0.1%	7
		Henrico	60.8%	69,969	38.0%	43,747	1.1%	1,268	0.0%	53
		Henry	34.8%	4,895	64.4%	9,046	0.8%	113	0.0%	3
		Highland	30.7%	317	67.6%	699	1.7%	18	0.0%	0
		Hopewell	50.0%	2,728	48.4%	2,641	1.5%	81	0.2%	9
		Isle of Wight	42.2%	5,957	56.9%	8,039	0.9%	124	0.0%	3
		James City	48.9%	15,561	50.1%	15,937	0.9%	290	0.0%	13
		King and Queen	42.0%	1,039	56.8%	1,404	1.1%	28	0.0%	1
		King George	37.2%	2,658	61.5%	4,396	1.3%	90	0.1%	5
		King William	33.7%	2,017	65.1%	3,889	1.1%	65	0.1%	6
		Lancaster	43.6%	2,098	55.7%	2,680	0.6%	27	0.1%	3
		Lee	19.5%	1,304	79.2%	5,289	1.2%	82	0.0%	3
		Lexington	66.5%	1,161	32.7%	572	0.7%	13	0.1%	1
		Loudoun	59.4%	69,778	39.5%	46,396	1.1%	1,258	0.0%	54
		Louisa	38.0%	4,481	60.6%	7,153	1.4%	163	0.1%	6
		Lunenburg	40.2%	1,468	59.1%	2,158	0.6%	23	0.0%	1
		Lynchburg	47.2%	10,047	51.4%	10,959	1.3%	284	0.1%	17
		Madison	36.3%	1,789	62.5%	3,082	1.2%	59	0.0%	1
		Manassas	56.9%	5,295	41.9%	3,899	1.2%	112	0.1%	6
		Manassas Park	63.7%	1,958	34.6%	1,064	1.7%	53	0.0%	1
		Martinsville	58.6%	2,187	39.9%	1,489	1.5%	57	0.1%	2
		Mathews	35.1%	1,386	64.1%	2,531	0.8%	31	0.1%	2
		Mecklenburg	39.7%	3,399	59.9%	5,125	0.4%	37	0.0%	0
		Middlesex	37.2%	1,606	61.9%	2,673	0.9%	41	0.0%	0
		Montgomery	53.7%	15,115	44.4%	12,500	1.8%	499	0.1%	19
		Nelson	48.8%	3,015	48.9%	3,020	2.1%	130	0.1%	9
		New Kent	31.9%	2,729	66.8%	5,711	1.3%	108	0.0%	4
		Newport News	64.7%	30,367	34.0%	15,986	1.2%	576	0.1%	35
		Norfolk	73.5%	39,453	25.1%	13,490	1.3%	676	0.1%	51
		Northampton	56.9%	2,492	42.4%	1,855	0.6%	28	0.1%	3
		Northumberland	37.8%	2,022	61.5%	3,285	0.7%	35	0.1%	3
		Norton	33.4%	287	65.2%	561	1.3%	11	0.1%	1
		Nottoway	42.6%	1,812	56.7%	2,408	0.7%	30	0.0%	0
		Orange	38.1%	4,160	61.0%	6,653	0.9%	97	0.0%	5
		Page	26.9%	1,809	72.1%	4,850	0.9%	62	0.1%	5
		Patrick	22.4%	1,259	76.7%	4,320	1.0%	54	0.0%	0
		Petersburg	87.7%	7,164	11.5%	938	0.7%	56	0.1%	9
		Pittsylvania	29.4%	5,759	70.0%	13,701	0.6%	109	0.0%	4
		Poquoson	26.9%	1,298	71.9%	3,473	1.2%	56	0.1%	3
		Portsmouth	70.2%	20,156	28.4%	8,167	1.3%	369	0.1%	18
		Powhatan	27.0%	3,109	71.8%	8,256	1.2%	137	0.0%	4
		Prince Edward	51.0%	2,881	47.9%	2,708	1.1%	63	0.0%	2
		Prince George	40.3%	4,150	58.6%	6,044	1.0%	108	0.0%	4
		Prince William	61.1%	74,932	37.8%	46,454	1.0%	1,247	0.1%	99
		Pulaski	30.0%	3,533	68.6%	8,081	1.4%	160	0.0%	5
		Radford	54.9%	2,163	43.3%	1,707	1.6%	65	0.1%	5
		Rappahannock	45.3%	1,488	53.9%	1,772	0.8%	25	0.1%	2
		Richmond County	36.9%	876	62.4%	1,479	0.6%	14	0.1%	2
		Richmond	81.5%	58,047	17.2%	12,262	1.3%	905	0.1%	47
		Roanoke County	37.5%	12,650	61.2%	20,648	1.2%	408	0.1%	24
		Roanoke	62.0%	15,099	36.5%	8,890	1.4%	337	0.1%	18
		Rockbridge	37.5%	2,974	61.4%	4,873	1.0%	77	0.1%	9
		Rockingham	27.9%	7,061	70.8%	17,880	1.3%	322	0.0%	7
		Russell	22.4%	1,506	76.7%	5,144	0.9%	60	0.0%	1
		Salem	38.2%	3,134	60.3%	4,946	1.4%	113	0.0%	3
		Scott	17.7%	1,089	81.4%	4,997	0.8%	51	0.0%	2
		Shenandoah	29.5%	3,932	69.2%	9,220	1.2%	157	0.0%	6
		Smyth	22.0%	1,747	76.9%	6,107	1.0%	78	0.1%	7
		Southampton	41.1%	2,529	57.9%	3,564	1.0%	60	0.0%	2
		Spotsylvania	43.1%	15,869	55.7%	20,481	1.2%	426	0.1%	22
		Stafford	46.8%	19,011	52.0%	21,123	1.2%	489	0.1%	21
		Staunton	53.3%	4,047	44.9%	3,406	1.7%	132	0.1%	4
		Suffolk	58.3%	16,621	40.7%	11,623	1.0%	278	0.0%	10
		Surry	56.0%	1,658	42.9%	1,268	1.1%	32	0.0%	1
		Sussex	55.7%	1,829	43.5%	1,429	0.8%	25	0.0%	1
		Tazewell	16.4%	1,657	82.9%	8,373	0.6%	57	0.1%	9
		Virginia Beach	51.9%	66,442	46.9%	60,073	1.2%	1,541	0.1%	82
		Warren	34.0%	3,531	64.7%	6,711	1.2%	127	0.0%	4
		Washington	24.4%	4,003	74.7%	12,247	0.9%	148	0.0%	6
		Waynesboro	45.0%	2,653	53.3%	3,144	1.6%	97	0.0%	1
		Westmoreland	45.6%	2,442	53.5%	2,865	1.0%	51	0.0%	2
		Williamsburg	70.6%	3,725	28.3%	1,492	1.0%	54	0.0%	2
		Winchester	53.7%	3,569	44.7%	2,969	1.6%	107	0.0%	3
		Wise	22.1%	1,910	76.8%	6,630	1.0%	84	0.0%	4
		Wythe	24.8%	2,114	74.2%	6,321	0.8%	71	0.1%	8
		York	43.7%	10,068	55.1%	12,708	1.2%	269	0.1%	15

Counties and independent cities that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Caroline (largest town: Bowling Green)
• Covington (independent city)
• Nelson (largest community: Nellysford)

Counties and independent cities that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Chesterfield (no municipalities)
• Virginia Beach (independent city)
• Winchester (independent city)

By congressional district

Northam won 6 of the 11 congressional districts, including two that were held by Republicans.

District	Northam	Gillespie	Representative
		44.6%	54.2%		Rob Wittman
		51.4%	47.4%		Scott Taylor
		67.9%	30.9%		Bobby Scott
		61.6%	37.3%		Donald McEachin
		45.1%	53.9%
		38.5%	60.2%		Bob Goodlatte
		47.6%	51.2%		Dave Brat
		75.9%	23.1%		Don Beyer
		31.2%	67.7%		Morgan Griffith
		55.6%	43.3%		Barbara Comstock
		69.9%	29.0%		Gerry Connolly

^[129]

See also

• 2017 United States gubernatorial elections
• Governors of Virginia
• 2017 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election
• 2017 Virginia Attorney General election
• 2017 Virginia House of Delegates election

External links

Campaign websites (archived)

• Ed Gillespie
• Cliff Hyra
• Ralph Northam
• Tom Perriello
• Denver Riggleman
• Corey Stewart
• Frank Wagner

Notes and References

1. Web site: Virginia gubernatorial election, 2017. Ballotpedia.org. September 23, 2017.
2. Web site: LP nominates Cliff Hyra for Virginia governor - Libertarian Party. May 9, 2017. LP.org. September 23, 2017.
3. Web site: Live Election Results and Estimates: Virginia Governor Race. Matthew. Bloch. November 7, 2017. The New York Times . November 7, 2017.
4. Web site: Registration/Turnout Statistics. Virginia Department of Elections. December 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181018023154/https://www.elections.virginia.gov/resultsreports/registration-statistics/registrationturnout-statistics/index.html. October 18, 2018. dead.
5. News: Vozzella. Laura. Ralph Northam confirms he's running to become next Va. governor. June 22, 2017. The Washington Post. February 24, 2016.
6. News: Martin. Jonathan. Ed Gillespie and Ralph Northam Beat Upstarts in Virginia Governor Primaries. June 22, 2017. The New York Times. June 13, 2017.
7. News: Former Democratic rep to run for Virginia governor: report. Jessie. Hellmann. January 4, 2017. The Hill . September 23, 2017.
8. News: Virginia's lieutenant governor makes it official: He's seeking state's top job. The Washington Post. Vozzella. Laura. November 17, 2015. December 18, 2015.
9. News: Va. attorney general to seek reelection, won't run for governor in 2017. The Washington Post. Portnoy. Jenna. Vozzella. Laura. September 2, 2015. December 18, 2015.
10. News: AG Mark Herring to run for re-election instead of governor. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Schmidt. Markus. September 2, 2015. September 2, 2015.
11. News: Moran Back at Wakefield. Bearing Drift. Hoeft. J.R.. April 22, 2016. June 10, 2016.
12. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x21Xkro409WL497_yzjXaA91QEnNjjvyRRjny0LIJxY/edit#gid=1057635540 Change Research
13. http://news.hamptonu.edu/release/Hampton-University-Center-for-Public-Policy-Poll%3A-Perriello%2C-Gillespie-Lead-Pack-for-Virginia-Governor-Seat%3BVirginians-Disapprove-of-Trump-Job-Performance Hampton University
14. https://twitter.com/mmurraypolitics/status/872547493451583488 HaystaqDNA (D-Perriello)
15. https://www.scribd.com/document/348881265/VA-Gov-Garin-Hart-Yang-for-Ralph-Northam-May-2017 Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Northam)
16. https://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2017/05/18/National-Politics/Polling/question_18711.xml?uuid=Fley-juxEeelmybgRRqW_Q Washington Post-Schar School
17. https://web.archive.org/web/20170712164901/http://www.veanea.org/assets/document/VA/Poll%20NR%2005152017%20final.pdf Public Policy Polling (D)
18. https://www.scribd.com/document/345394909/VA-Gov-PPP-for-the-Virginia-Education-Association-April-2017 Public Policy Polling (D)
19. https://poll.qu.edu/virginia/release-detail?ReleaseID=2450 Quinnipiac University
20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170329051929/http://cnu.edu/cpp/pdf/march%2028%20report%20final.pdf Christopher Newport University
21. https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/va/va02162017_Vbh49rhm.pdf/ Quinnipiac University
22. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203082609/http://cnu.edu/cpp/pdf/feb%202%202017%20final.pdf Christopher Newport University
23. http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_VA_71715.pdf Public Policy Polling
24. News: Gillespie confirms he is running for Va. governor. The Washington Post. Vozzella. Laura. October 2, 2015. October 2, 2015.
25. News: Stewart Launches Bid. Prince William Times. Baker. Michelle. May 4, 2016. May 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160603034258/http://www.northernvatimes.com/gainesville/article/stewart-launches-bid. June 3, 2016. dead.
26. News: Sen. Frank Wagner from Virginia Beach announces run for GOP nomination for governor of Virginia. The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Va.. Wilson. Patrick. August 29, 2016. August 29, 2016. August 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160830160412/http://pilotonline.com/news/government/politics/sen-frank-wagner-from-virginia-beach-announces-run-for-gop/article_646d8cb8-8ee7-50ce-81da-5d35b8ff8e3f.html. dead.
27. News: Emmanuel Peter joins GOP'S race for Virginia's Governor. International Guardian News. February 16, 2017. May 20, 2017.
28. News: Jenna Portnoy. A fourth Republican enters the race for Virginia governor. The Washington Post. December 28, 2016.
29. News: Republican Denver Riggleman suspends campaign for Virginia governor. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Moomaw. Graham. March 16, 2017. March 16, 2017.
30. News: GOP Congressman Rob Wittman readies to jump into Va. governor's race. The Washington Post. Portnoy. Jenna. December 12, 2015. December 12, 2015.
31. News: Wittman leaves governor's race. Daily Press. Fain. Travis. December 8, 2016. January 21, 2017. January 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170128205920/http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-wittman-governors-race-20161208-story.html. dead.
32. News: Gillespie says he's not interested in running for governor. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Cain. Andrew. November 10, 2014. March 3, 2015.
33. News: Cantor's next act: GOP power broker?. The Hill. Wong. Scott. September 2, 2014. March 3, 2015.
34. News: Cantor heads to Harvard. The Hill. Sullivan. Peter. January 29, 2015. March 3, 2015.
35. News: Ken Cuccinelli will not run for Virginia governor in 2017, he says. The Washington Post. Portnoy. Jenna. April 30, 2016. May 1, 2016.
36. News: Forbes Eyes 2017 Gov. Bid . The John Fredericks Show . Fredericks . John . January 21, 2014 . April 10, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140129231831/http://thejohnfredericksshow.com/political-insighter-can-whitbecks-snow-save-the-senate-for-norment . January 29, 2014 .
37. News: What Is Ed Gillespie's Backup Plan?. National Journal. Pershing. Ben. October 29, 2014. March 3, 2015.
38. News: Despite owning website name, Garrett rules out run for governor. The News & Advance. Rohr. Alex. May 6, 2016. May 10, 2016.
39. News: In a year of outsider politics, Gillespie faces GOP skeptics. The Washington Post. Vozzella. Laura. Portnoy. Jenna. October 3, 2015. October 2, 2015.
40. News: Virginia Beach Sen. Jeff McWaters won't seek re-election. The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Va.. Wilson. Patrick. February 26, 2015. March 3, 2015. March 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150303151627/http://hamptonroads.com/2015/02/beach-sen-jeff-mcwaters-wont-seek-reelection. dead.
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