If you're asking about the Virginia governor's race, you’re probably looking for a date to circle on your calendar. Well, here’s the thing: you just missed it.
The last big showdown for the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond happened on November 4, 2025. It was a massive deal. Honestly, it was a historic night for the Commonwealth because Abigail Spanberger won, making her the first woman ever elected to lead Virginia. She was sworn in just today, January 17, 2026.
Since Virginia has this quirky rule where governors can't serve two terms in a row, Glenn Youngkin had to pack his bags, and the seat was wide open. Now, if you're looking for the next one, you’ve got a bit of a wait. We won’t be doing this whole song and dance again until November 6, 2029.
Why Virginia Votes When Nobody Else Does
Virginia is weird. In a good way, mostly.
Most states pick their governors during the big presidential years or the midterms. Not Virginia. Along with New Jersey, Virginia holds "off-off-year" elections. Basically, we vote for governor the year right after a presidential election.
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Why? It’s kind of a holdover from the 1851 Constitution. The idea was to keep state issues separate from the messy drama of national politics. Whether it actually works is up for debate. Usually, it just means Virginia becomes a giant magnifying glass for how the country feels about the current President.
Looking Back: What Happened in the 2025 Race?
The 2025 race was basically a clash of titans. On one side, you had Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and U.S. Representative who leaned hard into a "fix-it" moderate vibe. On the other side was Winsome Earle-Sears, the Lieutenant Governor who was trying to be the first Black woman to hold the office.
It wasn't even close in the end.
Spanberger pulled off a landslide, winning by about 15 points. She tapped into a lot of frustration over "kitchen table" issues like grocery prices and healthcare. Plus, the 2025 federal layoffs that were happening at the time really spooked voters in Northern Virginia, and Spanberger campaigned heavily on protecting those jobs.
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The Concrete Numbers from 2025:
- Abigail Spanberger (D): 57.6% (Approx. 1.97 million votes)
- Winsome Earle-Sears (R): 42.2% (Approx. 1.45 million votes)
- Voter Turnout: About 54.2%
For a year where there wasn't a President on the ballot, that's actually pretty high participation. It shows how much Virginians care about who’s running the show in Richmond.
The "One-and-Done" Rule
You might wonder why Glenn Youngkin didn't just run again. He was pretty popular with his base, after all.
Well, he couldn't. The Constitution of Virginia is the only one in the entire United States that bans a governor from serving back-to-back terms. You get four years, and then you’re out. You can come back later—like Mills Godwin or Terry McAuliffe tried to do—but you have to take a break.
This rule makes every single Virginia governor a "lame duck" the second they finish their inauguration speech. It changes the whole dynamic of how they govern. They have to move fast because they don't have a re-election campaign to worry about (or hide behind).
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What’s Next for Virginia Politics?
Since Spanberger was just inaugurated, she’s got a full plate. She’s walking into a Richmond where Democrats have a "trifecta"—meaning they control the Governor’s office, the House of Delegates, and the State Senate.
That hasn't happened since 2021.
Expect to see a lot of movement on reproductive rights, gun control measures, and minimum wage hikes. But don't expect it to be a quiet four years. Virginia is still a "purple" state at heart, and the GOP is already starting to look toward the 2027 legislative elections to try and claw back some power.
Mark Your Calendar for the Next Races
If you’re a political junkie and can’t wait for 2029, don’t worry. There’s almost always an election in Virginia.
- November 3, 2026: Midterm elections. We’ll be voting for U.S. Senators and Representatives.
- November 2, 2027: This is a big one. Every single seat in the Virginia General Assembly (House and Senate) is up for grabs. This is usually when the Governor’s agenda lives or dies.
- November 7, 2028: The next Presidential election.
- November 6, 2029: The next Virginia governor's race.
Actionable Steps for Virginia Voters:
- Check your status: Even though the big race is over, local elections for town councils or school boards happen all the time. Head to the Virginia Department of Elections portal to make sure your registration is still active.
- Update your ID: Virginia has specific photo ID requirements. If you moved recently or your license expired, get that sorted now so you aren't scrambling in 2027.
- Follow the General Assembly: The "short session" usually starts in January. Since Spanberger is brand new, these first 60 days are going to be wild. You can watch the floor sessions online to see what laws are actually being proposed.
The 2025 race changed the history books for Virginia, but the cycle never truly stops. If you're living in the Commonwealth, your next chance to shake things up is closer than you think.