Virginia Democrats Select State Senator Ghazala Hashmi as Lieutenant Governor Nominee
The Democratic and Republican primaries for Virginia Governor were uncontested.
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in Virginia to select candidates for three statewide executive offices - Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. A candidate only needs a plurality of the vote to receive their party’s nomination today.
Incumbent Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, is term-limited and could not seek re-election to a second consecutive term in office. As such, his tenure leading the state’s top executive office occurred from January 2022 to January 2026.
For Governor:
Former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger won the Democratic primary unopposed.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears won the Republican primary unopposed.
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, was eligible to run for a second term in office. Instead, she decided to run for Governor and was the only Republican candidate to qualify for the ballot. As a result, her stint as the state’s second-highest ranking official was from January 2022 to January 2026.
For Lieutenant Governor:
State Senator Ghazala Hashmi won the Democratic primary with 27.4% (131,869) against former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney with 26.6% (128,266), State Senator Aaron Rouse with 26.3% (126,814), Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef with 8.4% (40,452), attorney Alex Bastani with 5.7% (27,394), and law professor Victor Salgado with 5.5% (26,683). 481,478 votes counted.
Radio host John Reid won the Republican primary unopposed.
Incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, was eligible to pursue a second consecutive term in office. He decided to run for re-election to avoid contested primaries in the other statewide offices this year. He has served in this office since January 2022.
For Attorney General:
Former State Delegate Jay Jones won the Democratic primary with 51.0% (244,519) against Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor with 49.0% (234,818). 479,337 votes counted.
Incumbent Jason Miyares won the Republican primary unopposed.
The general election for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Virginia will occur on November 4, 2026. All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates as well as several local and county positions will also be elected this year.