by Tyler Arnold, The Center Square | June 29, 2021 08:00 PM Print this article
The Democratic Party of Virginia is holding its primary for governor and other statewide races June 8 and both parties are holding primaries for some House of Delegates races and other local races.
Virginia’s governor’s race will be an open-seat election between businessman Glenn Youngkin on the Republican ticket and the Democratic nominee chosen Tuesday. Current Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam cannot seek reelection per state law, which prohibits a governor from serving two consecutive terms.
Youngkin was chosen through a convention process last month after the Republican Party opted against a statewide primary. The Democratic Party is choosing its nominee through a more conventional primary method with the current frontrunner being former Gov. Terry McAullife.
Hampton Roads Candidates Strike Out In Statewide Primaries
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By Hannah Schuster, Jonah Grinkewitz, Sam Turken and Paul Bibeau
Tuesday s primary elections proved tough for some of the region s incumbents and political powerhouses.
It was the same story for local Democrats who wanted to earn their party s nomination for statewide office.
Democratic
Del. Steve Heretick of Portsmouth, a three-term incumbent, lost his seat to community activist Nadarius Clark.
More than a million dollars poured into the primary contest, making it one of the most expensive House races.
Clark ran on a progressive platform, with an emphasis on education, health care and criminal justice. He outraised Heretick thanks to donations from political action committees tied to a wealthy Charlottesville hedge fund manager.
McAuliffe sails to Democrats’ nomination for Governor; Ayala, Lt. Gov.; Herring, AG Photo: WINA
RICHMOND (WINA) – Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe easily wins the opportunity to serve for a second time after Democrats chose him as their nominee by a landslide Tuesday. McAuliffe got 62% of the Democratic primary vote to easily outdistance the closest challenger in former state Delegate Jennifer Carrol Foy who got 20%. Only Mills Godwin has served as Governor twice in Virginia’s modern era.
McAuliffe in his acceptance speech talked about how his prior administration, followed by Ralph Northam’s over the past nearly 8 years, has moved Virginia forward by bringing everyone up. He promised “we will not go back”.