Virginia's upcoming election will determine the state's first female governor, with two strong contenders: former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Spanberger's campaign emphasizes affordability, while Earle-Sears focuses on cultural and gender issues. However, Earle-Sears faces an uphill battle, as Virginia has rarely elected a governor from the same party as the president since 1977.
In the race for Attorney General, Republican Jason Miyares seeks a second term against former State Del. Jay Jones. The campaign has been dominated by resurfaced violent text messages from Jones in 2022, which Miyares deems disqualifying. Jones has apologized, but the impact of these messages remains a key issue.
The election also features two notable candidates who, if elected, would make history: John Reid, a former conservative radio host, could become the nation's first openly gay Republican elected to statewide office. Ghazala Hashmi, a progressive state senator from the Richmond area, would be the nation's first Muslim woman elected to statewide office. The winner of this election will have the power to break ties in the State Senate, where Democrats currently hold a narrow majority.
Source: The Associated Press and CNN projections.
