Politics in Virginia has always been a bit... traditional. Then came 2025.
If you were following the news last year, the name John Reid was everywhere. But here's the kicker: people still get the details mixed up. Most folks assume he was just another talk radio host trying to jump into the political shark tank. Honestly, it was way more complicated than that.
John Reid wasn't just a candidate for Lieutenant Governor; he was a walking, talking political experiment. He was an openly gay Republican, a Reagan-era intern, and a local media fixture who ended up in a public tug-of-war with his own party's governor. It was messy. It was fascinating. And it completely changed how people look at the "GOP mold" in the Commonwealth.
The Long Road to the 2025 Ballot
John Reid didn't just wake up one day and decide to run for statewide office. Politics was practically the family business. His father, Jack Reid, was a powerhouse in the Virginia House of Delegates for nearly two decades. Growing up in Henrico County, John was steeped in that old-school Republican tradition.
He didn't stay behind the scenes for long. He actually landed a gig as one of the final interns for President Ronald Reagan out in Los Angeles. Think about that for a second. While most people his age were just trying to figure out how to pay rent, he was drafting memos in the orbit of "The Great Communicator."
He spent years in the media—both as a TV news anchor and the host of the WRVA Morning Show in Richmond. That’s where he really built his base. For eight years, he was the voice Virginians listened to over their morning coffee. He wasn't just a talking head; he was a neighbor.
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Why John Reid Lieutenant Governor Became a National Story
Most Lieutenant Governor races are about as exciting as watching paint dry. This one was different.
When Reid announced his run, he broke a massive barrier. He became the first openly gay man to be a major party’s statewide nominee in Virginia’s history. That’s a big deal. It forced a lot of people to reconcile his conservative stances—like his hardline views on education and "woke" culture—with his personal life.
The campaign hit a massive speed bump in April 2025. This is the part that most people get wrong. A controversy erupted over a social media account that allegedly posted explicit photos. Governor Glenn Youngkin and other GOP leaders actually called on Reid to drop out of the race.
Reid didn't budge. He stayed in.
He claimed the account was a case of digital identity theft, a "smear campaign" meant to tank his bid. This created a wild dynamic: the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor was essentially running against the Democratic opposition and at odds with the leader of his own party. It was high-stakes drama that felt more like a Netflix series than a local election.
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The Policy Reality vs. The Headlines
If you look past the scandals, Reid’s platform was actually pretty standard-issue modern conservatism. He talked a lot about:
- Education: He was a huge proponent of what he called "first-class learning," which basically meant pushing back against what he termed "leftist indoctrination" in schools.
- Business: Coming from a U.S. Chamber of Commerce background, he wanted to slash regulations. He often joked about creating a "Virginia DOGE" (Department of Government Efficiency).
- Law Enforcement: He was a "Blue Lives Matter" stalwart, often referencing the 2020 Richmond riots as the moment he knew he had to run.
Honestly, he was a bit of a walking contradiction to some. He was a gay man of faith who was also one of the loudest voices against "the trans-agenda" in schools. This "unconventionally conventional" approach—as Cardinal News put it—meant he didn't quite fit into anyone’s neat little box.
The Election Night Results
In the end, Reid didn't win. On November 4, 2025, he lost to Democrat Ghazala Hashmi.
The numbers weren't particularly close, but they weren't a blowout either. Hashmi took about 55% of the vote, while Reid pulled in roughly 44%. Interestingly, while Reid failed to become the first out LGBTQ statewide official, Hashmi made history of her own by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the U.S.
Even in defeat, Reid’s campaign proved that the "Republican brand" in Virginia is shifting. He showed that a candidate could be a "Reagan Conservative" and still be part of a community the party has historically struggled to reach.
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What We Can Learn from the Reid Campaign
If you're looking at the future of Virginia politics, there are a few real-world takeaways from John Reid’s run:
1. The "Vetting" Process is Changing
The controversy over Reid’s online presence shows that digital history is the new battleground. Whether the allegations were true or not, they dominated the news cycle for weeks. If you're planning to run for office, your digital footprint from 2014 is just as important as your policy papers from 2025.
2. Party Unity Isn't Guaranteed
The public rift between Reid and Youngkin proved that "the party line" is fraying. Voters are increasingly okay with candidates who don't have the full blessing of the establishment, though it certainly makes fundraising and logistics a nightmare.
3. Identity Politics is Complicated
Reid often told voters, "Don't vote for me because I'm gay, and don't disqualify me because of it." It’s a tough needle to thread. His campaign showed that while identity matters, in a state like Virginia, policy and "kitchen table" issues like the economy and schools still drive the final vote count.
If you're curious about where Virginia goes from here, keep an eye on the Richmond media scene. Reid hasn't disappeared. He’s still a "trusted voice" for a specific slice of the electorate, and his story is a reminder that in politics, being "unconventional" is sometimes the most effective way to get people to actually listen.
Next Steps for Following Virginia Politics
- Check the official Virginia Department of Elections archives for the final 2025 precinct breakdowns to see where Reid over-performed.
- Listen to archived episodes of the WRVA Morning Show to understand the rhetorical style that built his initial base.
- Follow the Virginia Council, the organization Reid founded, to see how he is continuing to influence education policy outside of elected office.