Election Insights for Virginia: Crucial Information Before Voting in the Pivotal General Elections
Virginia's 2025 general and special elections are fast approaching, and several key races are shaping up across the state. Here's a roundup of some of the notable candidates and important dates to remember.
House District 20 is likely to see a change in representation, with Michelle Maldonado potentially taking over from Christopher M. Stone, who has withdrawn from the race. In House District 21, incumbent Joshua E. Thomas is running for re-election as a Democrat. House District 62 will see a Democratic primary between Sara Ratcliffe and newcomer Karen Hamilton, while Maya P. Guy is running for the district as a Democrat in the general election.
In the race for the Virginia Attorney General, incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking re-election, while Jay Jones, a former state delegate for Norfolk, is running for the position as a Democrat. Winsome Earle-Sears, the current Lieutenant Governor for Virginia, is running for governor as a Republican. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who previously served three terms in Congress, is also running for governor.
Several candidates are vying for positions on local college boards and councils. In Fauquier County, Devada R. Allison Jr. and Lisa M. Schulz are running in a special election for Town Council - Remington District. In Stafford County, Nilofer Garza, Barton M. "Bart" Randall, and Marcus T. Oats are running for Board of Supervisors, while Michael A. Catell is running for Stafford County Board of Supervisors - Falmouth District. In Culpeper County, Keith Farrish, Brad Rosenberger, and F. Dewayne Payne, Jr. are running for Culpeper County Board of Supervisors - Stevensburg District, and Mandy Jenkins Brown is running for Culpeper County Board of Supervisors - Jefferson District as a Republican.
Voter registration and updates must be completed by October 24, and the deadline for applying for a ballot by mail is also October 24. In-person same-day registration is available from October 25 through Election Day with a provisional ballot. Early voting for Virginia's 2025 general and special elections is currently underway.
Local registrars' offices can provide details about early voting locations and sample ballots, and the Virginia Department of Elections' Citizen Portal allows voters to register, update their registration, or apply for an absentee ballot online.
In the race for Manassas City Treasurer, Nathaniel "Nate" Fritzen and Patricia E. Richie-Folks are running as Republicans, while Tim Demeria is the incumbent. In the Manassas City Commissioner of Revenue, Deon A. Shamberger and John Reid are running as Republicans, with Reid being a conservative talk radio show host and former local television news anchor.
In the special election for Prince William County Board of Supervisors - Gainesville District, George Stewart and Patrick Harders are running to fill an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2027. In the Stafford County Board of Supervisors - Garrisonville District, R. Pamela Yeung is the incumbent, while Barton M. "Bart" Randall is running for the position. In the Stafford County Board of Supervisors - Hartwood District, Chris J. "Yak" Yakabouski is the incumbent, while Marcus T. Oats and Darrell E. English are running for the position.
In the race for lieutenant governor, John Reid and Ghazala Hashmi are running as Republicans and Democrats, respectively. Hashmi currently serves as a Virginia state senator.
Finally, in the race for governor, Winsome Earle-Sears and Abigail Spanberger are running as Republicans and Democrats, respectively. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting races as Election Day approaches!
