2021 Virginia gubernatorial election

The 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election will be held on November 2, 2021, to elect the next Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ralph Northam is unable to run for reelection, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the officeholder from serving consecutive terms.

2021 Virginia gubernatorial election

November 2, 2021

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Ralph Northam Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Justin Fairfax, Lieutenant Governor[1][2][3][4][5]
• Jennifer Carroll Foy, state delegate[6][7][8]
• Mark Herring, Attorney General and former state senator for Virginia's 33rd Senate district (2006–2014)[9][10][11]
• Jennifer McClellan, state senator for Virginia's 9th Senate district and former state delegate (2006–2017)[12][11]

Potential

• Eileen Filler-Corn, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates[11]
• Mike Henry, political strategist and current Chief of Staff to United States Senator Tim Kaine[13]
• Terry McAuliffe, former Governor of Virginia[14]
• Tom Perriello, former U.S. Representative and candidate for Governor of Virginia in 2017[9]
• Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 7th congressional district[11]
• Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond[11][15]
• Jennifer Wexton, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 10th congressional district[11]

Endorsements

Jennifer Carroll Foy

State Delegates Dawn Adams, state delegate (D-58)[16] Joshua G. Cole, state delegate (D-28)[17] Kelly Convirs-Fowler, state delegate (D-21)[18] Clint Jenkins, state delegate (D-76)[19] Danica Roem, state delegate (D-13)[20] Local officials Victor Angry, Prince William County School Board member[16] Kenny Boddye, Prince William County Board Supervisor[21] Margaret Franklin, Prince William County Supervisor[21] Sylvia Glass, Loudoun County Supervisor[21] Lillie Jessie, Prince William County School Board member[22] Selonia Miles, Dumfries town council member[23] Monae S. Nickerson, Dumfries Vice Mayor[24] Mo Seifeldein, Alexandria city councilor[24] Justin Wilk, Prince William County School Board member[16] Loree Williams, Prince William County School Board member[24] Pamela Yeung, Stafford County School Board member[24] Lisa Zargarpur, Prince William County School Board member[24] Individuals Qasim Rashid, author, human rights activist, 2020 Democratic candidate for Virginia's 1st congressional district[22] Eric Stamps, Virginia Young Democrats Rural Caucus chair[24]

Jennifer McClellan

State Senators Jennifer Boysko, state senator (D-33)[25] Ghazala Hashmi, state senator (D-10)[25] Lynwood Lewis, state senator (D-6)[26] Mamie Locke, state senator (D-2)[25] Monty Mason, state senator (D-1)[25] State Delegates Jeff Bourne, state delegate (D-71)[25] David Bulova, state delegate (D-37)[26] Betsy Carr, state delegate (D-69)[26] Paul Krizek, state delegate (D-44)[26] Rodney Willett, state delegate (D-73)[25] Local officials Katie Cristol, Arlington County Supervisor[25] Jacinta Green, member of the Alexandria School Board[26] Daun Hester, City of Norfolk Treasurer and former state delegate[25] Jim Hingeley, Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney[26] Faye O. Prichard, Hanover County Supervisor, Ashland District[25] Deanna Reed, Mayor of Harrisonburg, Virginia[25] Lawrence Webb, Chairman of the Falls Church School Board[26] Justin Wilson, Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia[25] Individuals Ward Armstrong, former Minority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates (2007-2011)[26][27] Sindy Benavides, advocate and CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens[26] Mike Hamlar, businessman [26] Kelli Lemon, businesswoman [26] Susan Platt, founder of EmergeVirginia, 2017 candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor, former Chief of Staff to Joe Biden[26] Albert Pollard, former state delegate (D-99) (2000-2006; 2008-2012)[26] Terron Sims II, Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia Veterans and Military Families Caucus[26]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Amanda Chase, state senator for Virginia's 11th Senate district[28]

Potential

• Charles "Bill" Carrico Sr., former state senator for Virginia's 40th Senate district and retired state trooper[29]
• Neil Chatterjee, chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission[30]
• Barbara Comstock, former U.S. Representative for Virginia's 10th congressional district[11]
• Kirk Cox, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates[31]
• Denver Riggleman, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district[11][32]
• Sean Rastatter, First Vice Chair, Fairfax County Republican Party[11]
• Pete Snyder, technology executive and candidate for lieutenant governor in Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2013[33]
• Bill Stanley, state senator for Virginia's 20th Senate district [34]
• David Yancey, former state delegate for Virginia's 94th House of Delegates district[11]

Declined

• Nick Freitas, State Delegate for Virginia's 30th House of Delegates district, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 (running for U.S. House in 2020)[35]
• Corey Stewart, attorney, former chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and candidate for Governor of Virginia in 2017[36]
• Rob Wittman, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 1st congressional district[37]
• Jill Vogel, State Senator and 2017 Republican Nominee for Lieutenant Governor

Endorsements

Amanda Chase
Individuals Chuck Smith, attorney, 2017 and 2021 candidate for Attorney General, 2010 Republican nominee in VA-03[38]

Independents and minor parties

Candidates

Potential

• Denver Riggleman, U.S. Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district[32]

References

1. Perry, Eric. "Justin Fairfax looking to make run for governor in 2021". WHSV.
2. "Virginia Lt. Gov. Fairfax announces plan to run for governor in 2021". WTKR. December 19, 2019.
3. "Virginia's Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax Is Running For Governor Despite Sexual Assault Allegations".
4. "Lt. Gov. Fairfax announces he will run for governor in 2021". richmondfreepress.com.
5. Albiges, Marie. "A year ago, a racist photo nearly brought down Virginia's governor. What has changed — and what hasn't?". Fredericksburg.com. The Virginian-Pilot.
6. Vozzella, Laura (May 27, 2020). "Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy announces bid in Virginia governor's race". Washington Post. The Washington Post.
7. Edwards, Breanna (May 27, 2020). "Virginia Democrat Jennifer Carroll Foy Is Running For Governor". Essence.
8. Gupta, Prachi (May 27, 2020). "Jennifer Carroll Foy Wants to Be the First Black Woman Governor in America". ELLE.
9. Vozzella, Laura (December 7, 2018). "State Attorney General Mark Herring to run for Virginia governor in 2021". Washington Post. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
10. Wilson, Patrick (February 27, 2019). "Herring still intends to run for governor but 'hasn't thought about that at all' after blackface scandal". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
11. Pisani, Madelaine (February 28, 2019). "What Virginia's Turmoil Means for 2021". National Journal. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
12. Vozzella, Laura (May 7, 2019). "Va. state Sen. McClellan launches PAC — possibly signaling a bid for governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
13. "EXCLUSIVE: Kaine Chief of Staff Mike Henry rumored to be mulling a run for Governor. #VaPolitics #Va2021". Twitter. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
14. Suderman, Alan; Barrow, Bill (April 17, 2019). "AP sources: Ex-Virginia Gov. McAuliffe to rule out 2020 run". Associated Press. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
15. "Editorial: 4 observations about the coming Democratic race for governor". Roanoke Times. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
16. https://twitter.com/JCarrollFoy/status/1291760202765590528?s=20
17. Cole, Delegate Joshua (May 27, 2020). ".@JCarrollFoy is exactly the leader with fresh ideas that we need. She listens to and works with everyone, and as a result, she's effective and isn't afraid to stand up to anyone as she fights for what's right. I couldn't be happier to support her! 1/2pic.twitter.com/uequoh6Sm6". @JoshuaCole. Twitter.
18. Convirs-Fowler, Del Kelly (May 27, 2020). "(1/2) I am excited to see Virginia make history and elect @JCarrollFoy as the nation's first African-American woman governor. She's ready to work hard to move Virginia forward, and I'm thrilled to support her campaign". @DelegateFowler. Twitter.
19. Foy, Jennifer Carroll (May 28, 2020). "I'm proud to announce our first endorsements of the campaign from leaders across the Commonwealth!Del. Danica Roem (D-Manassas) @pwcdanicaDel. Joshua Cole (D-Stafford) @joshuacoleDel. Clint Jenkins (D-Suffolk) @clintonhd76Del. Kelly Fowler (D-Virginia Beach) @delegatefowler". @JCarrollFoy. Twitter.
20. Roem, Danica (May 27, 2020). "We trained, ran, won, served and delivered results for Prince William County together.I believe in @JCarrollFoy's vision of a Virginia that works for everyone and proudly endorse Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor of Virginia.Donate:…#OutForJCF". @pwcdanica. Twitter.
21. Foy, Jennifer Carroll (May 28, 2020). "Supervisor Margaret Franklin (Prince William County) @WoodbridgeBOCSSupervisor Sylvia Glass (Loudoun County) @SylviaBroadRunSupervisor Kenny Boddye (Prince William County) @KennyBoddye". @JCarrollFoy. Twitter.
22. Foy, Jennifer Carroll (May 28, 2020). "School Board Member Lillie Jessie (Prince William County) @lilliegjessieQasim Rashid, Candidate for Congress @qasimrashid". @JCarrollFoy. Twitter.
23. https://twitter.com/seloniamiles/status/1291400728834179073?s=20
24. https://twitter.com/JCarrollFoy/status/1291379152658956290?s=20
25. "Endorsements". jennmcclellanva.com.
26. "Jennifer McClellan for Governor Campaign Announces 14 New Endorsements from Virginia Leaders". bluevirginia.us.
27. Wyatt, Bill (July 16, 2020). "ELECTION 2021: Democrat McClellan picks up endorsement of Martinsville attorney in her bid for governor". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
28. Vozzella, Laura. "Gun-toting state senator expected to announce bid for Virginia governor". Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
29. Vozzella, Laura (May 11, 2020). "Covid-19 puts crimp in 2021 race for Virginia governor". Washington Post.
30. Beitsch, Rebecca (May 18, 2020). "FERC chairman mulls run for Virginia governor". The Hill. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
31. Leonor, Mel (August 3, 2020). "Former House Speaker Kirk Cox, of Colonial Heights, 'seriously' weighing run for governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
32. Cirilli, Kevin; Woodhouse, Skylar (July 29, 2020). "Virginia's Riggleman Says He's Considering Bid for Governor". Bloomberg. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
33. Vozzella, Laura (April 5, 2020). "Entrepreneur starts fund to help Va. businesses until federal aid arrives". Washington Post. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
34. "Republican Bill Stanley Says Run For Governor Hinges on Trump". vpm.org. March 10, 2020.
35. Portnoy, Jenna. "Va. Del. Nicholas J. Freitas joins Republican race to challenge U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger". Washington Post.
36. Vozzella, Laura (December 15, 2018). "As Va. GOP seeks new course, Corey Stewart says he's finished with statewide politics". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
37. Wittman, Rob (July 22, 2019). "I want to be clear: I am running for re-election to continue to serve as the Congressman representing VA01 in 2020. I am certainly not retiring, nor am I seeking statewide office in 2021. My complete focus is on the people of VA01. #TeamWittman".
38. Shaw, Norma (June 14, 2020). "Smith supports Chase's 2021 gubernatorial bid". Washington Post. Royal Examiner.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Jennifer Carroll Foy (D) for Governor
• Amanda Chase (R) for Governor
• Jennifer McClellan (D) for Governor