Richmond, Va. — Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has officially secured the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race. The announcement came just minutes after the April 3 deadline for candidate submissions, solidifying her position as the Democratic nominee. Spanberger was the only candidate to file in time, fulfilling the requirement to submit 10,000 signatures in support of her candidacy.
In her statement, Spanberger expressed her gratitude for the grassroots support that helped propel her to the nomination. “I’m honored to share that I’m officially the Democratic nominee in the November 2025 election for the Governor’s office in Virginia! I’m grateful for the grassroots support from volunteers and contributors like you who have made this possible,” she said.
Spanberger’s message emphasized her commitment to unifying the state and standing up for Virginians in a time when, as she noted, “chaos and division” are becoming more widespread. She vowed to reach voters across the Commonwealth, asserting that her campaign would focus on representing the people of Virginia above all else.
Meanwhile, on the Republican side, the field has narrowed significantly following Dave LaRock’s withdrawal from the race. LaRock, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, announced on social media that he would not be continuing his bid for the Republican nomination due to not securing enough signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. In a post on X, LaRock stated, “Our campaign collected over 9,000 signatures of the required 10,000 petition signers needed to be on the Republican primary ballot for Governor.”
With LaRock out of the race, the remaining top contenders are Winsome Earl-Sears, Virginia’s current lieutenant governor, and former Chesterfield County Senator Amanda Chase. Earl-Sears, widely considered the front-runner, has garnered significant attention for her experience in office and strong support within the Republican Party. According to political experts, Earl-Sears’ background as lieutenant governor, working closely with a popular governor, positions her as a formidable contender for the general election.
Political science professors have weighed in on the race, with Rich Meagher of Randolph-Macon College noting that Earl-Sears remains the favorite to face Spanberger in the November 2025 election. Virginia Tech’s Karen Hult also pointed to Earl-Sears’ political experience, stating, “She has been a lieutenant governor working with a quite popular governor who is limited to one term and so clearly that’s going to help her.”
As the primary season heats up, attention will turn to the strategies of both parties as they prepare for the general election. With early in-person voting set to begin on May 2, the race for Virginia governor is already drawing significant interest from voters across the state.
