News Summary
Democrat Abigail Spanberger is maintaining a 10-point lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia’s gubernatorial race according to a recent poll. Spanberger holds 52% support from likely voters, while Earle-Sears receives 42%. Challenges faced by the candidates include controversies and economic concerns. As early voting takes place, both candidates are preparing for a competitive election, with Spanberger enjoying broader support on key issues such as climate change and reproductive rights. Virginia voters show high engagement levels with a significant percentage already casting their ballots.
Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger is leading the race for governor, with a recent poll indicating she holds a 10-point advantage over her Republican opponent Winsome Earle-Sears. The Wason Center survey, conducted from September 29 to October 1, shows that Spanberger has the support of 52% of likely voters, while Earle-Sears receives 42%, leaving 6% undecided. This lead, while significant, reflects a slight tightening from an earlier poll conducted in mid-September, suggesting that the gubernatorial race may be becoming more competitive.
In addition to Spanberger’s lead, the poll highlights the attorney general race, where Democrat Jay Jones leads incumbent Republican Jason Miyares with 49% support compared to Miyares’ 43%. However, Jones faces scrutiny due to a controversial text message exchange in which he expressed a desire to shoot former Speaker Todd Gilbert. Analysts suggest this controversy might impact Jones’ overall support, although Spanberger’s polling numbers appear stable amid these developments.
Governor Glenn Youngkin’s job approval rating stands at 50%, while former President Donald Trump’s approval rating is notably lower at 41%. As the gubernatorial race unfolds, Spanberger is viewed more favorably than Earle-Sears across multiple key issues. She leads in perceived support on significant policy areas, including climate change (26 points), reproductive rights (20 points), healthcare (18 points), and transgender policy (13 points), among others.
As of now, 14% of likely voters have already cast their ballots ahead of the election, indicating a strong engagement level among the electorate, with 86% of respondents expressing enthusiasm about voting. Voter concerns heading into the election heavily lean towards threats to democracy, cited by 19% of participants, closely followed by inflation at 18%.
Spanberger has also highlighted the potential negative impact of the upcoming government shutdown on Virginia’s economy. While Earle-Sears attributes the looming shutdown to the Democrats, both candidates are closely monitoring how these issues might resonate with voters as the election date approaches. Historical trends indicate that Virginia voters tend to elect candidates from the party not currently occupying the White House, which may play a role in voter sentiment.
Spanberger’s campaign stands to benefit from endorsements by former Republican Congress members Barbara Comstock and Denver Riggleman, reinforcing her bipartisan appeal. As voters prepare for the election, Spanberger is focusing on addressing economic challenges affecting families in Virginia, recognizing that budget and funding issues at the federal level could resonate with constituents.
With several weeks remaining until the election, both candidates are gearing up for what is shaping to be a critical contest in Virginia’s political landscape. The combination of strong polling for Spanberger, ongoing controversies surrounding her opponent, and the critical backdrop of economic concerns positions this race as one of significant interest to both local and national observers.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- 13 News Now: Virginia Governor Poll
- NBC News: Government Shutdown and Virginia’s Race
- Washington Post: Virginia Election Poll
- CBS News: Spanberger’s Endorsements
- USA Today: Federal Shutdown and Virginia Election
- Wikipedia: Virginia Gubernatorial Election, 2025
- Google Search: Virginia Governor Election 2025
- Google Scholar: Virginia 2025 Gubernatorial Race
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Governor Election
- Google News: Virginia Governor Race 2025
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
