If you're asking about when was the last VA governor election, you've probably noticed that Virginia politics moves at a different speed than the rest of the country. While most states wait for the big presidential years or the midterms, Virginia likes to do its own thing in the "off-off" years.
The most recent showdown for the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond took place on November 4, 2025.
It was a historic night, honestly. For the first time ever, two women faced off for the top job: Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. In the end, Spanberger pulled off a decisive victory, securing about 57% of the vote. This win didn't just put a new face in the office; it made her the first female governor in the Commonwealth's long history.
The 2025 Shakeup: A New Chapter
To understand why that 2025 date matters, you have to look at what was happening on the ground. Virginia has this quirky rule—the only one in the nation, actually—where a governor cannot serve two terms in a row.
Because of that, the previous governor, Glenn Youngkin, couldn't run again. He had to pack his bags after just four years, leaving the field wide open.
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The campaign between Spanberger and Earle-Sears was intense, to say the least. Spanberger, a former CIA officer and U.S. Representative, leaned hard into her "moderate" brand. She talked a lot about protecting the federal workforce, which makes sense when you realize how many Virginians work for the government.
Earle-Sears, who was serving as Lieutenant Governor at the time, tried to catch the same "parental rights" lightning in a bottle that helped Youngkin win back in 2021. But the vibe in 2025 was different. National issues like the economy and changes to the federal civil service under the Trump administration dominated the conversation.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Abigail Spanberger (D): ~1,976,857 votes (57.6%)
- Winsome Earle-Sears (R): ~1,449,586 votes (42.2%)
- Total Turnout: Around 54%, which is pretty solid for a state-level race.
Spanberger didn't just win; she won big. Her 15-point margin was the largest for a Virginia governor since 2009. She swept the "Golden Crescent"—that's the stretch from Northern Virginia down through Richmond and over to Virginia Beach—and even managed to eat into some typically red rural areas.
Remembering the Youngkin Upset of 2021
Before Spanberger took the stage, we had the 2021 election. That one feels like a lifetime ago now, but it was a massive deal at the time. On November 2, 2021, Glenn Youngkin defeated former Governor Terry McAuliffe.
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McAuliffe was trying to do the "non-consecutive" dance—since you can't serve twice in a row, he waited four years and tried to come back. It didn't work. Youngkin, a businessman who had never held office, ran on a platform focused on education and "culture war" issues that really resonated with suburban parents.
That 2021 race was a total nail-biter. Youngkin won by less than two percentage points (50.6% to 48.6%). It was the first time a Republican had won a statewide race in Virginia since 2009, and it sent shockwaves through the national Democratic party. Basically, it proved that Virginia wasn't as "blue" as people thought—it was more of a deep shade of purple.
Why Virginia Elections Are Always "Odd"
You might be wondering why we do this every four years on the odd years. Most states hold their governor elections during the midterms (like 2022, 2026) or during presidential years (2024, 2028).
Virginia’s schedule dates back to the post-Civil War era. The idea was to keep state issues separate from national politics. In theory, that sounds great. In reality? It just means Virginia becomes a "bellwether" state. Whatever happens in a Virginia governor's race is usually seen as a crystal ball for what's going to happen in the national midterms the following year.
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Since the 1970s, Virginia has almost always elected a governor from the opposite party of the sitting President.
- 2017: Trump (R) in White House -> Northam (D) wins VA.
- 2021: Biden (D) in White House -> Youngkin (R) wins VA.
- 2025: Trump (R) in White House -> Spanberger (D) wins VA.
The "opposite party" trend held firm in 2025. People were frustrated with federal layoffs and economic shifts, and they took it out on the state-level GOP ticket.
What's Next for Virginia?
Now that the last VA governor election is in the rearview mirror, all eyes are on January 2026. That’s when Spanberger officially takes the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol in Richmond.
She won't be alone, either. The 2025 sweep was a "trifecta" for Democrats. They kept control of the House of Delegates and already had the State Senate. This means for the next couple of years, the Democrats have a clear path to pass their agenda on things like healthcare, education funding, and labor laws without much "gridlock" from the other side.
If you're looking to stay involved or just want to keep track of when you need to head to the polls again, here is the basic roadmap:
- Check Your Registration: Even though the big one is over, local elections for town councils and school boards happen frequently. Use the Virginia Department of Elections portal to stay updated.
- Watch the General Assembly: The real work starts in January. Follow the legislative sessions to see if the promises made during the Spanberger campaign actually turn into laws.
- Mark 2029: It feels far away, but that’s when the next governor's race will happen. Mark your calendar for November 6, 2029.
Virginia's political landscape changes fast. One year it's a Republican landslide, the next it's a Democratic "blue wall." Staying informed is the only way to keep up with the whiplash.