Virginia Election 2022: Gubernatorial and Legislative Races Heat Up
Virginia voters are participating in the election to select the state's top three officials and all 100 members of the House of Delegates. The polls will be open until 7 p.m., and voters can find their polling places online. The gubernatorial race features Democrat Abigail Spanberger against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, with a combined fundraising total of $100 million. In the lieutenant governor race, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi is running against Republican John Reid, and Republican incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking reelection as attorney general against Democrat Jay Jones. Recent polls show Spanberger leading significantly, while the other races are more closely contested.
Over 1.2 million Virginians have already voted through early in-person and mail-in voting, surpassing the numbers from the previous gubernatorial election in 2021. Spanberger has raised $65.6 million, Earle-Sears $35.5 million, Miyares $25.3 million, Jones $14.2 million, Hashmi $8.3 million, and Reid $1.7 million. The outcome of the House of Delegates election, where Democrats hold a 51-49 majority, will also be determined by voters. Key races include the 22nd District in Prince William and the 30th District in western Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties.
Democrats currently control the state Senate with a 21-19 margin, but the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate and votes in case of ties, could impact the balance. If Hashmi wins, a special election will be held in her Richmond-area district to fill her seat. The election results will shape Virginia's leadership for the next term, with significant implications for the state's future.