Track the 2025 primary race results with VPM News on our 2025 Elections page.
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones was ahead in preliminary results for the Democratic attorney general primary Tuesday night, according to a call by the Associated Press.
While the Democratic race for lieutenant governor was too close to call based on preliminary results, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D–Chesterfield) — holding a narrow lead over former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D–Virginia Beach) — claimed victory. (All election results are unofficial until certified by the state.)
Virginia’s gubernatorial nominees, who were not on primary ballots, made their opening arguments for the general election as the primaries drew to a close, promising affordability and differing versions of stability, casting their opponent as extreme, and laying out stark policy differences on cultural and economic issues.
Tuesday night, Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears said she would be a continuation of Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration as results in the Democratic primary election came in.
“Virginia, folks, is now one of the best states to live and work and raise a family,” she said, echoing a common refrain of Youngkin. “We haven’t come this far to only go this far, and forward is the only way I know.”
And on Monday, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman for Virginia’s 7th District, told supporters at J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County she would be a bulwark against changes at the federal level.
“I know that people all across Virginia are tired of the political chaos coming out of Washington right now. They're tired of the chaos we see every day,” Spanberger said.
Sears vowed to broaden school choice, while Spanberger frequently mentioned public schools.
While Spanberger opened her speech thanking Millie Green, her high school Spanish teacher — in Spanish — for helping her understand the world, Earle-Sears invoked a hard line on immigration.
Democrats’ statewide ticket was still not set (polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday), but Spanberger had promised to tour the state starting on Friday in a bus tour with her party running mates, while Earle-Sears' remarks left questions unanswered about how unified the Republican ticket would be.
Earle-Sears mentioned Attorney General Jason Miyares, but not former Richmond talk radio host John Reid — whose lieutenant governor bid has already received significant pushback from party members with ties to Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Earle-Sears has not yet pledged to appear with Reid, her potential successor. Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for re-election, told Virginia Scope last month he would campaign with Reid.
Voters told VPM News on Tuesday that changes at the federal level were influencing their primary election votes.
“I think it's a very important election,” said Jack Pearsall in Southside Richmond. “Think we are on the verge of becoming completely unlawful. Of course, we can't do anything about the president, but we can certainly change the ranks below him.”
What’s at stake in November?
Changes and instability at the federal level have presented a new variable for Virginia politics this cycle.
Democrats have controlled the Virginia Senate since Youngkin won in an upset in 2021, and retook the House of Delegates from Republicans in 2023. Divided state government has forestalled any major changes to the Code of Virginia, and windfall tax collections have put off major political battles over spending issues.
Virginia’s general election for statewide office is usually a barometer for politics ahead of the federal midterms, but the commonwealth’s proximity to Washington makes issues tied to DC particularly resonant this year. Northern Virginia is home to tens of thousands of federal workers, Virginia gets billions of dollars in federal revenue, and Hampton Roads is a major nexus of trade and the US military.
Other changes to health care were influencing Richmond-area voters’ choices. Carol Johnson said she was concerned about funding for Medicare, the federal insurance program for older adults and people with disabilities.
“I've had two heart attacks. So God has been good to me, and I'm still here, and I thank him for that, but it's really hard out here, and we don't need anyone that's trying to hurt the people,” she said.
A Democratic trifecta would likely mean that voters would be able to decide next fall if Virginia’s status as the last state in the South without an abortion ban could become constitutionally protected, alongside marriage equality. Another amendment being considered would automatically restore voting rights to those convicted of felonies, rather than requiring them to go through a legal process that puts their voting rights in the governor’s hands.
Major energy challenges await Virginia’s decision-makers too, namely balancing clean energy demands set out by law with the increasing need for power generation to fuel the AI and data center boom. Virginia already consumes more than half of the energy used by US data centers, according to a report from the environmental group the Sierra Club.
1 of 49
— DSCF7187.JPG
Signs around Charlottesville City voting precincts on June 17, 2025 in Virginia.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
2 of 49
— Election Day
Voting precinct signage at the Recreation polling station in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
3 of 49
— Election Day
A voting booth at the Jackson-Via voting precinct in Charlottesville Virginia on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
4 of 49
— Election Day
Empty voting hall at the Recreation voting precinct in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
5 of 49
— Election Day
Tyler Heron, Dave Chapman and Charlottesville City Council candidate Jen Fleisher stand at the Recreation polling station in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
6 of 49
— Election Day
Charlottesville City Council candidate Brian Pinkston talks to a potential voter in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
7 of 49
— Election Day
Brian Pinkston, Charlottesville City Council candidate, and volunteer Laura Sher greet voters at the Summit voting precinct on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
8 of 49
— Election Day
A voter casts a ballot in the nearly empty voting hall at the Recreation precinct in Charlottesville on Tuesday.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
9 of 49
— Election Day
A voter fills out a ballot at the Jackson-Via polling station in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
10 of 49
— Election Day
A blank Democratic Charlottesville City primary election ballot is seen on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
11 of 49
— Election Day
Voters cast their ballots at the Jackson-Via station in Charlottesville, Virginia on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
12 of 49
— Election Day
John Naegle fills out his ballot at the Johnson voting precinct in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
13 of 49
— Election Day
John Santos checks in to cast a ballot in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
14 of 49
— Election Day
John Santos fills his ballot at the Jackson-Via polling station in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
15 of 49
— Election Day
John Santos casts his ballot at the Jackson-Via voting precinct in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
16 of 49
— Election Day
From left: Volunteer election workers Tina Rees, Paula Darradji, Camille Lipnicky and Kara McClurken stage at the Jackson-Via polling station in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
17 of 49
— Precinct chief's table
The Jackson-Via polling precinct chief's table is seen in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
18 of 49
— Man and child at voting vooth
A voter fills out his ballot, accompanied by his son, in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
19 of 49
— Adult casts a ballot with son's assistance
Ryan O’Connor shows his son how to cast an electronic ballot at the Jackson-Via precinct in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
20 of 49
— I voted election stickers
The primary election "I Voted" stickers are seen in Charlottesville on June 17, 2025.
Eze Amos / For VPM News
21 of 49
— A sign with a seal of The Office of Elections is reflected in water
The City of Richmond Office of Elections is seen on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
22 of 49
— Sen. hashmi chats with votes
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, chats with voters as they arrive to cast their voter in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
23 of 49
— 20250617_ELEX_PRIMARY_SA
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, chats with voters as they arrive to cast their voter in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
24 of 49
— Allison chats with Sen. Hashmi
Tom Allison chats with state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, before casting his vote in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
25 of 49
— Harris makes her way past towars arrow that reads “vote”
Greta Harris makes her way to cast her ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
26 of 49
— A person makes their way into a voting precinct
A person arrives to cast a ballot in the June primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
27 of 49
— A person makes their way out a voting precinct
A person leaves after casting a ballot in the June primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
28 of 49
— White and Yust cast their balllots
Kevin White, left, and Karen-Marie Yust are seen casting their ballots on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
29 of 49
— Maggie Millhiser carries her daughrer as they leave a voting precinct
Maggie Millhiser carries her daughter Nell, 3, after casting her ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
30 of 49
— A person makes their way out a voting precinct
A person leaves after casting a ballot in the June primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
31 of 49
— Sen. Hashmi pinches a baby’s toe
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, pinches the toe of four-month-old Elife McPhee as she chats with her parents Callie Guy and Daniel McPhee before casting their ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
32 of 49
— Sen. Hashmi pinches a baby’s toe
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, is playfully pinching the toe of four-month-old Elife McPhee while talking with her parents Callie Guy and Daniel McPhee before casting their ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
33 of 49
— Sen. Hashmi chats with McPhees and Guy
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, is seen talking with Callie Guy and Daniel McPhee and their four-month-old Elife McPhee before casting their ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
34 of 49
— A person makes their way out a voting precinct
A person leaves after casting a ballot in the June primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the Northside Church precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
35 of 49
— Former Mayor Stoney campaigns
Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, chats with Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico), State Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) as they wait for voters on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
36 of 49
— McQuinn gives her granddaughter a high five
Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico) gets a high five from her granddaughter, Tressa Grace Nzassi, 4, as they wait for voters on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
37 of 49
— Elected and former elected officials take a video
Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico) waves her hands as her daughter, Daytriel McQuinn-Nzassi, takes a video of her alongside state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg), Varina Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson and Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, as they wait for voters to arrive to cast their votes in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
38 of 49
— Elected and former elected officials take a video
Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico) speaks as her daughter, Daytriel McQuinn-Nzassi, takes a video of her alongside state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg), Varina Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, as they wait for voters to arrive to cast their votes in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
39 of 49
— Del. McQuinn and Sen. Aird laugh
Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico) smiles with state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) as they wait for voters to arrive to cast their ballots in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
40 of 49
— Nzassi plays with a sign
Tressa Grace Nzassi, 4, plays with a sign on Election Day Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
41 of 49
— The Nzassi’s play with a sign as elected offials, current and former, film a video
Tressa Grace Nzassi, 4, plays with her older sister, Haven, 7, as Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Henrico) speaks while her daughter, Daytriel McQuinn-Nzassi, takes a video of the delegate with state Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg), Varina Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, as they wait for voter to arrive to cast their votes in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
42 of 49
— Former Mayor Stoney shakes hands with voters
Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, who is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, shakes hands with voters as they arrive to cast their votes in the primary election on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico County, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
43 of 49
— Former Del. Jones smiles as he waits for voters
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, waits for voters to arrive to cast their ballots in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the City Hall East precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
44 of 49
— Former Del. Jones and Del. Cousins wait for voters to arrive
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, joined by Del. Rae Cousins (D-Richmond) greet voters as they arrive to cast their ballots in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the City Hall East precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
45 of 49
— Former Del. Jones and Del. Cousins wait for voters to arrive
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, is joined by Del. Rae Cousins (D-Richmond) as they greet voters arriving to cast their ballots in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the City Hall East precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
46 of 49
— Former Del. Jones chats with Barton
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, is seen talkingwith Ara Barton as they wait for voters to arrive to cast their ballots on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at the City Hall East precinct in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
47 of 49
— Former Del. Jones chats with voters
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones is seen laughing with voters as they arrive to cast ballots in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
48 of 49
— Former Del. Jones shakes hands with a voter
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones greets a voter at the City Hall East precinct on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
49 of 49
— Former Del. Jones and Del. Cousins wait for voters to arrive
Former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones, who is running for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, is joined by Del. Rae Cousins (D–Richmond) to greet voters as they arrive to cast ballots in the primary elections on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
