Virginia politics is weird. It’s basically the only state that holds its big elections the year right after a presidential race, which means the whole country looks at us like some kind of political crystal ball. Honestly, it’s a lot of pressure for a state that just wants to argue about how much traffic is on I-64.
But 2025 was different. It wasn't just another "off-year" election. It was a massive collision of history, personality, and some pretty intense anxiety about the federal government. For the first time ever, we had two women facing off for the top job. Abigail Spanberger for the Democrats and Winsome Earle-Sears for the Republicans.
If you’re trying to wrap your head around the candidates for governor of Virginia, you’ve gotta understand that this race wasn't just about Richmond. It was about Washington, D.C., and a massive shift in how the state sees itself.
The Matchup That Made History
Before the dust even settled on the 2024 presidential race, the field for Virginia's governor was already narrowing. Most people expected a crowded, messy primary season. It didn't happen.
Instead, both parties basically cleared the decks. On the Democratic side, Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who had been representing the 7th District in Congress, jumped in early. She had this reputation for being a moderate who could talk to anyone, which is a rare find these days. Her main competition was supposed to be Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. But Stoney eventually pulled out and decided to run for Lieutenant Governor instead (a move that didn't quite pan out for him in the primary, but that’s a different story).
Then you had Winsome Earle-Sears. She was already the Lieutenant Governor, and she’s a firebrand. A Marine veteran, daughter of Jamaican immigrants—she has a life story that’s hard to ignore. When Attorney General Jason Miyares decided he’d rather run for re-election than challenge her, she became the undisputed leader of the GOP ticket.
So, by the time April 2025 rolled around, the "primaries" were basically cancelled because nobody else qualified for the ballot. It was a straight-up one-on-one fight from the jump.
Abigail Spanberger: The CIA Officer Who Flipped the Script
Spanberger is interesting because she doesn't fit the typical "liberal" mold that Republicans like to campaign against. She spent years in the CIA. She knows how to talk about national security and law enforcement without sounding like she’s reading from a script.
During the campaign, she focused almost entirely on what she called "kitchen table" issues. You’ve heard the term. Basically, she talked about how much it costs to buy eggs and why your child’s daycare is more expensive than your mortgage.
She leaned hard into her bipartisan record. She’d point to her work in Congress and say, "Look, I’ve actually passed laws with Republicans." It was a smart play in a state that has a lot of independent voters who are tired of the constant shouting matches.
The DOGE Factor
One thing that really gave Spanberger a boost—and this is something people sort of overlook—was what was happening in D.C. with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). When the federal government started talking about massive layoffs, people in Northern Virginia panicked.
Virginia’s economy is tied to the federal government. If you start cutting thousands of jobs in Arlington or Fairfax, the whole state feels it. Spanberger positioned herself as the person who would protect those jobs and the state’s economic stability. It worked. She won Northern Virginia by massive margins.
Winsome Earle-Sears: The Marine Who Didn't Back Down
Winsome Earle-Sears is the kind of politician who makes people lean in when she talks. She’s not afraid of a fight. Her campaign was built on the idea of "educational freedom"—basically, letting parents use state money to send their kids to private or charter schools.
She also tried to catch lightning in a bottle twice. Back in 2021, Glenn Youngkin won by focusing heavily on schools and "parental rights." Earle-Sears tried to do the same, but she pivoted more toward cultural issues, specifically transgender participation in sports and bathroom policies.
The problem she ran into was that the vibe in the state had shifted. While those issues fired up the base, they didn't seem to resonate as much with the suburban moms in Chesterfield or Henrico who were more worried about their property taxes and the price of gas.
She also had a bit of a rocky relationship with the national GOP figures. There was this weird tension where she tried to distance herself from Donald Trump at times to win over moderates, but then needed his supporters to show up. It’s a tough needle to thread, and honestly, she struggled with it.
What Really Decided the Race?
If you ask ten different political pundits why the election ended the way it did, you’ll get twelve different answers. But there are a few things that really stand out.
- The Margin was Huge: Spanberger didn't just win; she won by more than 15 points. That’s a landslide in Virginia. She got over 1.9 million votes. That’s the largest margin we’ve seen in a governor’s race since 2009.
- The Gender Factor: This was the first time both major candidates for governor of Virginia were women. It changed the tone of the debates. They sparred a lot over abortion rights—Spanberger wanted to codify Roe v. Wade into the state constitution, while Earle-Sears supported a 15-week ban. In the end, the exit polls showed that women voters broke heavily for Spanberger.
- The "Opposite Party" Rule: There’s this long-standing tradition in Virginia. Usually, the state elects a governor from the party that doesn't hold the White House. Since Trump was in the White House, history suggested a Democrat would win.
The Issues That Actually Mattered
Forget the TV ads for a second. When you look at why people actually went to the polls, it came down to a few big buckets.
The Economy and Jobs
This was the big one. Nearly 50% of voters cited the economy as their top concern. People were feeling "holding steady" at best, and about a quarter of the state felt they were falling behind. Spanberger’s focus on affordability hit home.
Education
Earle-Sears talked about school choice constantly. Spanberger talked about funding public schools and teacher raises. It was a classic "public vs. private" philosophical divide.
Abortion Access
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, Virginia has become a bit of an outlier in the South. It’s one of the few states where abortion remains relatively accessible. Spanberger made this a centerpiece of her campaign, and it clearly energized her base.
The Campaign by the Numbers
Just to give you an idea of the scale here:
- Spanberger raised and spent a staggering $68 million.
- Earle-Sears brought in about $42 million.
That is a ridiculous amount of money for a state race. It bought a lot of airtime, but it also showed just how much national interest there was in this specific contest.
What’s Next for Virginia?
Now that the election is over and Abigail Spanberger is the Governor-elect, the landscape in Richmond is shifting. For the first time in years, the Democrats have a "trifecta." They control the Governor’s mansion, the House of Delegates, and the State Senate.
This means we’re likely to see some big moves on:
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- Minimum Wage: Expect a push to get it up to $15 an hour statewide.
- Climate Change: They’ll likely double down on the Clean Economy Act.
- Gun Control: Red flag laws and safe storage requirements are going to be back on the table.
But it won’t be all smooth sailing. Virginia is still a "purple" state at heart. The rural areas are still deeply red, and there’s a lot of resentment toward Northern Virginia’s influence. Spanberger has a reputation for being a deal-maker, but with a unified party behind her, the pressure to go "full progressive" is going to be intense.
Actionable Insights for Virginians
If you're following the aftermath of the candidates for governor of Virginia race, here’s how you can actually stay involved:
- Watch the Inauguration: It happens on January 17, 2026. This is where Spanberger will lay out her "First 100 Days" plan. Listen for specific mentions of tax relief or infrastructure projects.
- Track the General Assembly: The session starts right after the inauguration. If there’s a bill you care about—like recreational marijuana sales or school funding—this is the time to email your delegate. They actually do read those emails when they’re in the heat of a session.
- Check Your Local Ballot: While the governor’s race is over, local elections for town councils and school boards often happen on different cycles. Those are the people who decide your property tax rates and what your kids learn in class.
- Follow the Money: Use the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). It’s the gold standard for seeing who is donating to whom. If you want to know why a certain law is being pushed, follow the donor list. It’s usually pretty eye-opening.