(The Center Square) — Virginia’s current political contests could hardly be closer, according to the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Fall 2024 poll.
A little over a year out, the poll showed Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-07, and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the leading candidates for the commonwealth’s 2025 gubernatorial race, in a dead heat. When respondents were asked who they would vote for between the two “if the election were held today,” 39% indicated Spanberger, and 39% indicated Earle-Sears. Twelve percent didn’t know who they’d vote for.
The poll’s 1,000 respondents were also asked who they would vote for in a hypothetical—but possible—matchup between Spanberger and Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, and they answered almost exactly the same: 40% went for Spanberger, and 39% went for Miyares.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot run again, as governors are limited to one consecutive term in Virginia (he could run again in the commonwealth’s next gubernatorial race as former Gov. Terry McAuliffe did in 2029). Miyares has not declared, but like the Lt. Gov.’s office, the Office of Attorney General is a common platform to run for governor.