Election 2025: Virginia Gubernatorial and Legislative Races

Governor: Abigail Spanberger (D) Victory 
Former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) defeated Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears (R) 57.2% to 42.6%, becoming the first woman ever elected governor of Virginia and restoring unified Democratic control of Richmond. Spanberger’s decisive win caps one of this cycle’s most closely watched races, flipping the executive mansion after four years of Republican leadership. 

A centrist and former CIA officer, Spanberger ran a disciplined campaign anchored on affordability and economic stability, framing herself as a pragmatic alternative to Trump-aligned Republicans. Her message centered on shielding Virginians from “Trump-era economic chaos,” referencing tariffs, postal cuts and shutdowns, which proved potent in federal worker-heavy Northern Virginia. Trump’s continued unpopularity in the state amplified her appeal: exit polls showed nearly six in 10 independents disapproved of the president’s leadership. Democrats capitalized on that sentiment with an aggressive Trump-focused ad campaign that outspent GOP efforts by more than 13 to 1 statewide. 

Spanberger’s 15-point margin of victory exceeded expectations and reflected sweeping Democratic gains across suburbs from Fairfax to Henrico. Her coattails helped deliver wins down the ballot, including attorney general and House of Delegates races, producing a Democratic “trifecta” for the first time since 2021. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee called the results “the biggest House majority in nearly 40 years.” 

Policy Implications: Spanberger will govern with friendly majorities in both chambers, giving Democrats broad latitude on their agenda. Expect early action on abortion access protections, climate and clean energy programs, and transportation investments aimed at Northern Virginia traffic congestion relief. Spanberger has also pledged to expand job protections and strengthen cybersecurity partnerships with the federal government, key issues in a state where one-third of workers are tied to federal contracts. 

Importantly, Democrats are already eyeing mid-decade redistricting authority. A proposed constitutional amendment allowing a legislative redraw advanced before Election Day, and with Spanberger’s victory, its chances of enactment in 2026 rise sharply. If implemented, it could reconfigure Virginia’s congressional map and add one or two Democratic-leaning U.S. House seats, depending on litigation outcomes, including challenges to the Voting Rights Act.

Attorney General: Jay Jones (D) Victory 
In a dramatic finish to a turbulent campaign, Jay Jones (D) defeated incumbent Jason Miyares (R) 52.8% to 46.8%, completing a Democratic statewide sweep alongside Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi (D). Jones’ campaign overcame a late-breaking controversy over years-old violent text messages that Republicans weaponized in the closing weeks. Despite initial polling dips, strong turnout among the Democratic base, particularly in Hampton Roads and Richmond, helped carry him over the line. 

As attorney general, Jones is expected to pivot Virginia’s legal agenda sharply leftward. Early priorities include: 

• Withdrawing the commonwealth from multistate lawsuits challenging federal environmental and immigration rules. 
• Defending abortion access statutes and LGBTQ+ protections.  
• Reestablishing a dedicated civil rights and voting rights enforcement division.
• Serving as chief legal counsel in any 2026 redistricting litigation. 

Jones’ win also reflects renewed Democratic enthusiasm among younger voters and voters of color, who turned out in higher-than-forecast numbers. His partnership with Spanberger positions the administration to act cohesively on justice, equity and governance reform issues. 

Virginia House of Delegates: Democratic Expansion 
Democrats achieved a sweeping legislative victory, to hold at least 64 of 100 seats, with eight races still pending as of certification. This is Democrats’ largest majority since 1985, giving them a comfortable cushion for policymaking. 

Key takeaways: 

• Democrats flipped multiple suburban and exurban seats in Loudoun and Prince William counties, Chesterfield and Virginia Beach, powered by high early voter turnout and robust field operations. 
• The GOP retained strength in southwest and rural regions but failed to penetrate the suburban firewall that has defined Virginia’s post-Trump politics. 

With both chambers now blue and Spanberger in the governor’s mansion, the legislature is poised to act swiftly on a Democratic policy slate that had been stymied under Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Near-term legislative priorities include codifying abortion rights, expanding paid family leave, bolstering teacher pay and rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

From a redistricting standpoint, the enlarged Democratic majority significantly strengthens the party’s hand in pursuing a constitutional amendment that would permit mid-decade congressional map revisions ahead of 2026. A successful amendment would allow Democrats to reshape federal districts centered around Richmond, Hampton Roads and the exurban D.C. beltway, potentially converting one to two Republican-held seats. 

It is worth noting, though, that Democrats did not flip any seats in areas that Trump won by more than five points. This is not the best news for Democrats when you look at the big picture. Right now, in Congress, there are only three Republicans representing Harris-won districts and only 12 GOP-held seats that Trump won by five points or less—with that number growing smaller due to recent redrawing of districts. All things considered, the 2025 elections in Virginia did not signal that the environment is favorable enough to push deep in to Trump territory, which might be needed by Democrats in upcoming House races.

The Bottom Line 
Virginia’s 2025 elections delivered a Democratic wave of historic proportions. Spanberger’s 15-point gubernatorial win, Jones’ comeback to win the attorney general seat, Hashmi’s barrier-breaking lieutenant governor race and a large House majority expansion reestablished Virginia as a cornerstone of the Democratic mid-Atlantic bloc. The results not only signal voter backlash against Trump-aligned conservatism but also reshape the 2026 congressional landscape, especially if Democrats use their new trifecta to move forward on redistricting.