From the top down, Virginia’s 2025 elections are packed with contenders

The2025electionseasoninVirginiaisofficiallyunderway—andthelandscapeiscomingintosharpfocusafterlastweek’sfilingdeadlinefortheJune17primaries.WiththetopoftheticketsnowsetandthefulllistofcandidatesfortheHouseofDelegatesfinalized,bothpartiesarepreparingforwhatcouldbeoneofthemostconsequentialelectionyearsinthecommonwealth’srecenthistory. Lt.Gov.WinsomeEarle-SearsbecametheRepublicannomineeforgovernorbydefaultafterformerstateSen.AmandaChaseandformerDel.DaveLaRockfailedtosubmitenoughvalidsignaturestoqualifyfortheprimaryballot.  TheGOPnowavoidsapotentiallydivisivenominationfightandcandirectallofitsresourcestowardthegeneralelection,whereEarle-SearswillfaceformerU.S.Rep.AbigailSpanberger,theDemocraticnomineewholeftCongressin2024torunforgovernor. Spanbergerenterstheracewithaclearfinancialadvantage.Hercampaignreportedraising$9.6millionbytheendof2024,with$6.6millionincashonhand.OnMonday,herteamannouncedanadditional$6.7milli