Virginia voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, for a pivotal primary election day that sets the stage for the November general election. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with voters across the Commonwealth selecting candidates for key statewide offices, including lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as local races such as the Republican primary for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors in the Beverley Manor District.
While the governor’s race is already settled for the fall, with Democrat Abigail Spanberger facing off against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, the primaries underway today will determine the Democratic nominees for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Additionally, several House of Delegates seats and numerous local Republican primaries for board of supervisors seats across counties such as Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Grayson, and Montgomery will be decided.
The lieutenant governor’s race features a competitive Democratic field of six candidates: Levar Marcus Stoney, Babur B. Lateef, Aaron R. Rouse, Victor R. Salgado, Ghazala F. Hashmi, and Alexander J. Bastani. The winner will challenge Republican John Reid in November. Meanwhile, the Democratic contest for attorney general is between Shannon L. Taylor and Jay Jones, who will face incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in the general election.
Voters in Augusta County are paying particular attention to the Republican primary in the Beverley Manor District, where Justin Dimitt and Stephen Grepps vie for the nomination to replace incumbent Supervisor Butch Wells, who opted not to seek re-election and instead is running for the Augusta County School Board. Both candidates have been active on the campaign trail, with Grepps’ campaign notably knocking on over 1,000 doors, engaging thousands of voters, and distributing more than 2,000 mailers. Dimitt expressed gratitude for the opportunity to campaign and asked for voter support to continue improving Augusta County.
Sample ballots and early voting information are accessible online for Augusta County, Waynesboro, and Staunton. As of June 13, 2025, early voting saw 138 voters in Waynesboro casting ballots in person, with 329 absentee ballots submitted by mail. Staunton recorded 322 early in-person voters and 260 absentee ballots. These numbers reflect growing engagement ahead of Tuesday’s primaries.
Turning to the high-profile governor’s race, which will unfold this November, the contest between Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears is already shaping political narratives. Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, has built a reputation as a moderate with a focus on bipartisan solutions. She began her political journey as a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a gun safety advocacy group that endorsed her in April 2025. Spanberger supports legislation banning high-capacity magazines, ghost guns, and restricting firearm purchases by those with domestic violence convictions. Her unique perspective as a former federal agent and CIA officer informs her stance that such gun restrictions are pro-law enforcement.
Spanberger’s campaign emphasizes affordability, with policy proposals targeting housing, energy, and prescription drug costs. She also leverages her experience opposing the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce—a significant issue for Virginia, home to over 300,000 federal employees and the top state for federal contracting dollars. "I'm standing up for Virginians in opposition to policies that are dangerous and bad for them, but also putting out a plan for what comes next," she said, underscoring her pragmatic approach.
Her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, is the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia and could become the nation’s first Black female governor. An immigrant from Jamaica, a Marine veteran, and former business owner, Earle-Sears positions herself as a champion of fiscal conservatism and traditional values. She has criticized Spanberger’s votes on criminal justice and immigration issues, highlighting her opposition to policies she views as lenient on crime. Earle-Sears supports continuing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s agenda of business development and tax cuts, including plans to eliminate the local car tax, a popular but contentious property tax in Virginia.
On social issues, Earle-Sears holds culturally conservative views. She opposes abortion rights, endorsing a 15-week restriction, and has expressed moral opposition to legislative measures expanding reproductive rights and marriage equality, though she signed bills to advance these causes as part of her official duties.
Political analysts currently rate the governor’s race as leaning Democratic, bolstered by Virginia’s historical tendency to select governors from the party opposite the sitting president and the backlash against the Trump administration’s policies. Spanberger’s campaign enjoys a significant fundraising advantage, having raised nearly $23 million compared to Earle-Sears’ $9.2 million. However, Republican strategists see potential opportunities, particularly among voters concerned about the economy and unsettled by recent political shifts.
The lieutenant governor’s Democratic primary also showcases a diverse group of candidates with varied backgrounds and priorities. State Senator Aaron Rouse, a former NFL player, stresses his legislative experience and record of accomplishment. Former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado focuses on campaign finance reform and resisting federal overreach. Levar Stoney, former Richmond Mayor and Secretary of the Commonwealth, highlights affordable housing and education. Senator Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman in the Virginia Senate, emphasizes her extensive legislative tenure and advocacy for education and healthcare. Labor attorney Alexander Bastani brings attention to economic inequality and worker rights, while Dr. Babur Lateef, chair of the Prince William County School Board, stresses healthcare leadership and opposes a proposed casino in Tysons Corner.
As Virginians cast their ballots, the outcomes of these primaries will not only shape the November general election but also signal the political mood of a state often seen as a bellwether. With a historic gubernatorial race set and competitive contests down the ballot, the 2025 Virginia primaries are a critical moment for voters, candidates, and the broader national political landscape.
