Trump’s Influence Looms over Pivotal Virginia Governor Primary/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Virginia voters head to the polls Tuesday in a high-stakes primary shaped by President Trump’s controversial policies, despite his absence from the ballot. The race could produce the nation’s first Black female governor, with strong Democratic turnout fueled by opposition to Trump’s agenda. All 100 House of Delegates seats are also on the line.
Virginia Primary Quick Looks
- Primary day impact: Trump’s policies dominate conversation despite not being on ballot.
- Historic potential: Earle-Sears could become first Black woman governor in U.S. history.
- Democratic surge: 189,000 early votes cast, driven by anti-Trump momentum.
- Governor’s race set: Republican Winsome Earle-Sears vs. Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
- Lieutenant governor race: Six Democrats vie to face GOP nominee John Reid.
- Legislative stakes: All House of Delegates seats up for grabs.
Trump’s Influence Looms over Pivotal Virginia Governor Primary
Deep Look
Trump’s Shadow Hangs Over Virginia Race
Although President Donald Trump isn’t on the Virginia ballot, his administration’s policies—particularly those from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—are center stage in Tuesday’s primary.
DOGE, formerly led by Elon Musk, has slashed federal jobs and spending, hitting Northern Virginia’s federal workforce especially hard and energizing Democratic opposition.
“DOGE’s cuts have rocked suburban Washington,” said Dave Richards, a political science professor at the University of Lynchburg.
Record Turnout in Democratic Primaries
Democrats are responding with significant early turnout. More than 189,000 early ballots were cast in Democratic primaries—a show of strength many attribute to resistance against Trump-era policies.
State party leaders say the turnout is especially notable given that the governor’s race is already decided, with former Rep. Abigail Spanberger set to face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in November.
Historic Governor’s Race
The race for Virginia governor is already historic. Spanberger, a centrist Democrat, is running to become the first woman elected governor of Virginia. Her opponent, Earle-Sears, could make history as the first Black woman elected governor in the U.S. if she wins. Virginia last elected a Black governor in 1989 with L. Douglas Wilder.
Incumbent GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot seek re-election due to state term limits.
Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Races
Republicans have already nominated their down-ballot candidates:
- John Reid, a former radio host, is the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor. If elected, he’d be Virginia’s first openly gay statewide official.
- Jason Miyares, the incumbent attorney general, is seeking re-election.
Six Democrats are competing for the lieutenant governor nomination, including:
- State Sens. Ghazala Hashmi and Aaron Rouse
- Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney
- Federal prosecutor Victor Salgado
- School board chair Babur Lateef
- Attorney Alex Bastani
For attorney general, Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge Miyares.
Full Legislature Up for Election
Beyond statewide races, all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot. Democrats currently hold a narrow 51–49 majority, making this election critical to both parties.
Analysts say the gubernatorial race will set the tone for the House contests, with Trump’s policy agenda likely influencing key suburban swing districts.
Broader Implications
Virginia’s elections, along with New Jersey’s recent primaries, are the only two gubernatorial contests in 2025 and are seen as precursors to the 2026 midterms, when 36 states will hold governor races and Republicans will defend their control of Congress.
Republicans swept Virginia’s statewide offices in 2021, ending a 12-year Democratic streak. Despite Trump’s national unpopularity, he narrowed his loss in Virginia to 6 points in 2024—his best showing since 2004.
Still, historical trends favor Democrats: since 1977, the party that controls the White House has lost Virginia’s governor’s race in every cycle but one.
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