(The Center Square) – As Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election approaches, the political landscape is starting to take shape, with key candidates emerging for the state’s top offices.
The primary elections begin June 17, 2025, with the general election set for Nov. 4, 2025.
With Gov. Glenn Youngkin term-limited, the race for governor features Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former U.S. representative, and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. Former Del. Dave LaRock has also entered the race, challenging Earle-Sears in the Republican primary.
Early fundraising reports show that Spanberger and Earle-Sears have received substantial financial contributions for their campaigns.
Spanberger reported over $9.5 million raised, while Earle-Sears reported over $2.5 million. Nearly half of their donors were first-time contributors to Virginia races and showed a slightly heightened engagement in the race.
LaRock, a conservative former state legislator, said he was encouraged by grassroots activists to run.
“There seems to be a pretty good grassroots push in that direction, and people collecting signatures to that effect,” LaRock told the Virginia Scope. “That’s probably about as much as I want to say at this point.”
LaRock had previously served in the House of Delegates and represented Virginia’s 33rd district before losing the Republican primary for state Senate in 2023.
LaRock’s entry into the race adds another dynamic to the Republican primary, where he will compete against Earle-Sears for the nomination.
Gov. Youngkin remains popular in Virginia with a 53% approval rating, while Earle-Sears, with Youngkin’s endorsement, now faces a primary race against LaRock. Recent polling shows Spanberger leading Earle-Sears by 15%, 34%-24%, with 32% of voters still undecided.
Spanberger previously represented Virginia’s 7th congressional district.
Key issues in the race include federal budget cuts impacting Virginia’s economy, immigration policies, with 72% of voters supporting a path for undocumented immigrants to stay and taxation, where 59% of Virginians favor a progressive tax system.
Virginians will also elect a new lieutenant governor as Earle-Sears vacates the seat on her run for governor. Several candidates have already announced their campaigns.
The Democratic side includes Ghazala Hashmi, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado and Levar Stoney. Hashmi, a state senator, is focused on education and health care, while Rouse, a Virginia Beach state senator, has focused on economic issues and criminal justice reform.
Stoney, the current mayor of Richmond, is entering the race with significant name recognition and executive experience.
For Republicans, John Curran and Carl Eggleston have announced their candidacies. The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the Virginia Senate, which is key in tie-breaking votes.
In addition to the governor’s race, the attorney general election is also up for grabs.
The race includes incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is seeking reelection, as well as two Democratic challengers, Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor. Jones, a former delegate, previously ran for attorney general in 2021, while Taylor serves as the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
