By Paul Bedard
August 19, 2025
The race for governor in Virginia and other top positions in Richmond has tightened significantly over the summer, but Democrats continue to lead in the off-year election set for November 4.
The new Roanoke College Poll out Tuesday morning showed former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears by seven points, 46% to 39%.
That is a tighter race than the school’s May survey, with the liberal Spanberger leading 43% to 26%. Both candidates have increased their share of the vote, three points for the Democrat and 13 for Earle-Sears.
“The race for governor appears to be tightening, but Spanberger still leads,” said Harry Wilson, interim director for the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College.
He said the survey showed that Republicans have jumped on board the Earle-Sears campaign after her lackluster start.
“Many Republicans seem to have ‘come home’ to Earle-Sears since the May poll, but Spanberger’s voters are slightly more enthusiastic about voting and more certain of their vote,” said Wilson.
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