Explore the dynamics of the Virginia Primary 2025: voter turnout, key Democratic contests for lieutenant governor and attorney general, major candidates and what the results mean for November’s statewide races.
Introduction
The Virginia Primary 2025 took place on June 17, 2025, marking a critical step toward shaping the statewide ticket ahead of the November general elections. As one of only two states to hold statewide elections in off‑years, Virginia serves as a political bellwether—especially as Democratic turnout set records amid national trends.
What’s On the Ballot
Gubernatorial races
Democrats solidified their gubernatorial ticket with Abigail Spanberger—unopposed in the primary—while Republicans had only one candidate qualify: Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle‑Sears Lieutenant Governor (Democratic Primary)
Six Democrats competed:
- Levar Stoney (former Richmond mayor)
- Ghazala Hashmi (state senator)
- Aaron Rouse (state senator)
- Babur Lateef (School Board Chair)
- Victor Salgado (former prosecutor)
- Alex Bastani (former labor dept. official)
They share policy priorities—abortion rights, living wage, affordable housing—but differ along regional and experiential lines.
Attorney General (Democratic Primary)
Key Democratic contenders:
- Jay Jones (former delegate with deep family political roots)
- Shannon Taylor (Henrico County prosecutor known for prosecuting the Unite the Right case.
Republicans faced no primary competition:
- Radio host John Reid is the GOP nominee for Lt. Gov.
- Incumbent Jason Miyares seeks re‑election as Attorney General.
House of Delegates and Local Primaries
All 100 seats in the House of Delegates featured contests; early voting was strong in Richmond‑area districts.
Early Voting and Turnout
- Record-breaking Democratic early voting: 204,500+ ballots cast by June 15, with Richmond-area HD 78 and HD 81 showing especially high engagement.
- Open primaries allowed any voter—regardless of party registration—to participate in ONE party’s primary.
- Fairfax and Arlington counties offered curbside voting and expanded accessibility measures.
Why It Matters
- The Virginia Primary is viewed as a national mood indicator ahead of the midterms. High Democratic turnout could signal momentum .
- Democratic wins in lieutenant governor and attorney general races in heavily urbanized Richmond and Northern Virginia may energize the party base before November.
- For Republicans, a unified ticket and strong grassroots in rural areas offer a counter-narrative amid broader national GOP strategy.
Key Dates & Voting Details
- Early voting began May 2, including absentee ballots through June 6.
- Same-day registration and curbside voting available.
- June 17 was Primary Election Day; polls closed at 7 p.m. ET.
- All mailed ballots were required to be postmarked by June 17 and received by noon on June 20.
Preliminary Results & Implications
- Expect rapid release of results after polls close .
- Democratic primary winners will proceed to November alongside presumptive general election nominees (Spanberger and Earle‑Sears).
- Republican lack of contested primaries is a sign of early post‑primary consolidation (apnews.com).
FAQs
When was the Virginia Primary 2025 held?
It took place on June 17, 2025, with early voting beginning May 2.
Who could vote in the primaries?
Virginia allows open primaries: any registered voter could participate in only one party’s primary.
Which races were included?
Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor, attorney general, House of Delegates seats; GOP only had primaries for contested down-ballot seats.
How many early votes were cast?
Over 204,500 Democratic ballots were cast by June 15, a record number.
Who is running for lieutenant governor?
Six Democrats battled for the nomination; radio host John Reid is the Republican nominee (unopposed).
Who is competing for attorney general?
Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor in the Democratic primary; Jason Miyares is the unopposed Republican incumbent.
Why is this primary politically significant?
Off-year elections often reflect broader trends; high Democrat turnout may signal midterm momentum.
What happens next for winners?
Nominees will campaign through the fall, with general election on November 4, 2025.
Can you request absentee ballots?
Yes—no excuse needed; request by June 6, return by June 20.
Are primary results final?
Results on June 17 are preliminary but considered decisive for nominations.
What about House of Delegates?
All 100 seats were up; primaries held where multiple candidates qualified.
Are there any implications for the governor’s race?
Yes—the unified tickets and turnout trends could influence November’s gubernatorial contest.
Conclusion
The Virginia Primary 2025 underscored the importance of turnout, candidate positioning, and regional engagement—especially among Democrats in key districts. As the nominees emerge, campaigns are already shifting into high gear for November’s off‑year battle that could serve as a bellwether for national sentiment.
Virginia Department of Elections – 2025 Primary Information
Candidacy details and candidate lists – Ballotpedia
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