Virginia 2025 Primary Results: Democrats Finalize Statewide Ticket, Key Legislative Matchups Set

Virginia voters turned out in strong numbers for the June 17 primary elections, finalizing Democratic nominees for statewide office and shaping the field for the House of Delegates races in the upcoming general election. While only a handful of incumbents faced primary challenges, several districts are now poised for intense competition this fall.

Democrats Finalize Statewide Ticket

Democrats selected Senator Ghazala Hashmi as their nominee for Lieutenant Governor and former Delegate Jay Jones for Attorney General, rounding out a ticket led by gubernatorial candidate and former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger. Republicans, who did not hold statewide primaries, had previously named their nominees: Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor candidate John Reid, and incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares.

Turnout in the Democratic primaries was notably strong, with over 475,000 votes cast – a figure nearing the 494,000 votes cast in 2021 for similar contests. This may signal an energized Democratic base heading into the general election.

A Tight Race for Lieutenant Governor

Hashmi, who represents parts of Chesterfield and Richmond in the Virginia Senate, edged out a close victory in a crowded field. She secured 27.39% of the vote, narrowly ahead of former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (26.64%) and Senator Aaron Rouse (26.32%). Less than 5,000 votes separated the top three candidates.

Hashmi, a former higher education administrator, is considered one of the more progressive voices in the Senate and currently chairs the Education and Health Committee. She will face Republican John Reid, a conservative talk radio host, in what promises to be a closely watched race.

Clean Energy Influence in Attorney General Race

Jay Jones claimed the Democratic nomination for Attorney General in a race that highlighted the growing influence of energy politics in Virginia. Supported by Clean Virginia and former governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, Jones narrowly defeated Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, 51%-49%.

Clean Virginia invested heavily in Jones’s campaign, opposing Taylor’s support from Dominion Energy. The battle became symbolic of broader debates within the Democratic Party regarding corporate influence and environmental policy.

Jones, a former delegate from Norfolk and assistant attorney general, will now face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the general election.

House of Delegates: A Mix of Stability and New Battles

Only three House incumbents faced primary challengers – Delegates Patrick Hope, Terry Austin, and Delores McQuinn – and all emerged victorious. Most primaries confirmed candidates favored by party leadership, signaling a controlled primary season ahead of potentially competitive general election matchups.

Key districts to watch include:

• District 21 (Prince William County): Democrat Josh Thomas and Republican Gregory Gorham will face off in a race expected to draw significant attention.
• District 57 (Western Henrico): Democrat May Nivar, backed by party leaders, will challenge Republican incumbent David Owen.
• District 73 (Western Chesterfield): Democrat Leslie Mehta, a former congressional candidate, won her primary and will face Republican Mark Earley, Jr.
• District 97 (Virginia Beach): Former Delegate Tim Anderson will try to reclaim his seat from Democratic incumbent Michael Feggans.
• Several open-seat contests also emerged as battlegrounds, including Districts 46, 49, and 89, where party strategists will focus resources to flip or defend seats.

Outlook

Despite strong Democratic primary turnout, the general election landscape remains uncertain. Virginia has a long history of voting against the party in the White House, and federal issues like budget cuts and layoffs may sway voters in unpredictable ways.

Both parties will now turn to the fall with full tickets and clear battlegrounds. With five months to go, the 2025 election season in Virginia is just beginning to heat up.