Virginia’s Top Democratic Candidates Maintain Their State-Wide Lead

NEWPORT NEWS

A new Wason Center survey of Virginia likely voters shows Democratic candidates leading in the key statewide races as early voting continues.

•. Governor: Abigail Spanberger leads Winsome Earle-Sears by 10 points, 52 percent to 42 percent.

•  Lieutenant Governor: Ghazala Hashmi leads John Reid by 9 points, 48 percent to 39 percent.

•  Attorney General: Jay Jones leads incumbent Jason Miyares by 6 points, 49 percent to 43 percent.

Top issues for voters include threats to democracy (19 percent), inflation (18 percent), healthcare (10 percent), and immigration (10 percent). Spanberger is viewed as stronger than Earle-Sears on a range of issues, including climate change, reproductive rights, healthcare, and K-12 education.

Approval ratings show Governor Youngkin at 50 percent approval and President Trump at 41 percent approval among Virginia likely voters. Overall voter enthusiasm remains high, with 86 percent reporting they are very or somewhat enthusiastic about voting.

Early voting is underway, with 14 percent of likely voters having already cast ballots. Democrats are using early voting more heavily than Republicans, though the gap has narrowed this year. The Wason Center plans one final survey before Election Day to capture any last-minute shifts.

The Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University empowers students to be informed and active civic leaders and conducts nonpartisan surveys of public opinion across the Commonwealth.