Politics in the Old Dominion never really sleeps, does it? If you were looking for fireworks during the June 2025 primary season, you might have been surprised by how quiet things were at the very top of the ticket. Honestly, the real drama wasn't in the governor's race—which basically didn't happen in June—but in the down-ballot scrambles that reshaped the state's future.
The results of Virginia primary contests usually serve as a crystal ball for the general election. This year, they told a story of consolidation for the big names and absolute chaos for the newcomers. While the headlines often focus on the big "D" or "R" next to a name, the June 17, 2025, results proved that internal party dynamics are shifting in ways that most pundits completely missed.
The Governor's Race That Wasn't
Let's get the weirdest part out of the way first. We didn't actually have a primary for Governor.
It's sorta rare, but both Abigail Spanberger on the Democratic side and Winsome Earle-Sears for the Republicans cleared their respective fields so effectively that their primaries were canceled. By April 2025, the nominations were locked. No primary meant no June results for the top office.
This left a massive vacuum of attention.
Usually, a governor's primary drives turnout. Without it, the results of Virginia primary night depended entirely on the energy of local House of Delegates races and two very high-stakes statewide battles for the "number two" and "number three" spots.
A Chaotic Six-Way Slog for Lieutenant Governor
If the Governor's race was a ghost town, the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor was a mosh pit.
Six candidates. Thousands of doors knocked. One very thin margin.
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Ghazala Hashmi, the state senator from Richmond, eventually pulled it off, but man, it was tight. She finished with roughly 27.47% of the vote. Close behind her were former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (26.69%) and Aaron Rouse (26.15%).
Think about that.
Less than two percentage points separated the top three finishers. If you're a political nerd, those are the kinds of results of Virginia primary nights that keep you up until 3:00 AM refreshing the Virginia Department of Elections (VDOE) website.
Why Hashmi Won
- The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Factor: Hashmi's ability to pull suburban voters who were wary of Stoney’s record in Richmond was key.
- Coalition Building: She successfully messaged on healthcare and education, which resonated deeply with the primary base.
- Turnout Pockets: While overall turnout was lower than 2021, Hashmi’s supporters in the Richmond suburbs showed up in droves.
On the Republican side, things were much simpler. John Reid, the radio host, ran unopposed after the primary was canceled following his sole qualification for the ballot. This set up a November clash that would eventually see Hashmi making history as the first Muslim woman in statewide office, but that’s a story for the general election wrap-up.
The Attorney General Showdown: Jones vs. Taylor
The Democratic primary for Attorney General was another nail-biter. Jay Jones, a former delegate from Norfolk, faced off against Shannon Taylor, the Commonwealth's Attorney for Henrico County.
The results of Virginia primary day showed Jones winning with 51% to Taylor's 49%.
It was a classic "establishment versus reformer" vibe, though both candidates were well-liked. Jones had a bit more name recognition and a larger war chest, which helped him survive a late-game surge from Taylor. This win was massive for Jones, as it gave him the momentum to eventually unseat incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in November.
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House of Delegates: The Incumbents Survived (Mostly)
In the House of Delegates, the June primary results were a bit of a relief for the status quo.
Three main incumbents faced serious primary challengers:
- Patrick Hope (D-Arlington): Crushed it with over 70% of the vote.
- Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond): Held onto her seat despite a spirited challenge.
- Terry Austin (R-Botetourt): Fended off a challenge from the right flank of the party.
One interesting outlier was District 21 in Prince William County. Gregory Gorham won a three-way Republican primary with 66% of the vote, setting him up for a tough (and ultimately unsuccessful) fight against Josh Thomas in the general.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Results
People look at the results of Virginia primary and think they see a "blue wave" or a "red wall." Honestly? Primaries are about machines.
The 2025 results showed that the Democratic party machine in Virginia is incredibly efficient at clearing the way for preferred candidates (like Spanberger) while allowing for healthy, if brutal, competition for lower offices.
The Republican side felt more like a "wait and see" approach. By canceling the top-of-the-ticket primaries, they saved money but arguably lost the chance to build the kind of grassroots excitement that a contested primary generates. Some folks in the GOP, like former delegate Dave LaRock, even blamed the lack of a primary on internal party maneuvering rather than a lack of interest.
The Turnout Problem
You can't talk about these results without mentioning the "low energy" problem. Without a competitive Governor's primary, turnout in many precincts dropped significantly compared to the 2021 cycle. In some areas, only about 10-12% of registered voters showed up.
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When turnout is that low, the results of Virginia primary contests are decided by the most passionate 5% of each party. That’s how you get candidates who are often further to the left or right than the general electorate.
Why the 2025 Primary Still Matters Today
Even though we're now moving into the 2026 cycle, the 2025 primary results set the stage for everything we’re seeing in the General Assembly right now.
Because Jay Jones and Ghazala Hashmi had to fight through such tough primaries, they entered the general election with tested campaign teams and battle-hardened messaging. Spanberger, by contrast, had to keep her "base" excited without the benefit of a June primary fight, focusing instead on high-profile endorsements from figures like Barack Obama.
Actionable Insights for Virginia Voters
If you're trying to make sense of how these elections impact your daily life, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Special Elections: We’ve already seen special elections (like Elizabeth Bennett-Parker’s recent win in SD-39) triggered by these results. These "mini-primaries" are where the real policy shifts start.
- Monitor the General Assembly: The delegates who won their primaries in June 2025 are the ones currently voting on your taxes, schools, and local infrastructure.
- Check Your District: Redistricting still has some people confused about who their representative is. Use the VDOE "Who's My Legislator" tool to ensure you’re following the right people.
- Prepare for 2027: Yes, it feels early, but the fundraising and "feeling out" process for the next cycle of state senate races starts the moment the previous primary ends.
The results of Virginia primary day were a clear signal that the state was tilting toward the historic Democratic sweep we eventually saw in November. It wasn't just about the winners; it was about the infrastructure they built during those hot June months.
To stay ahead of the next legislative session, start by following the committee assignments of the delegates who won their June 2025 primaries. Those committees—Education, Appropriations, and Courts of Justice—are where the most significant changes to Virginia law actually happen before they ever hit the floor for a vote.