The 2021 Virginia elections were held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Republicans swept all three statewide races and won back control of the House of Delegates in an upset. Primary elections were held on June 8, 2021.[2] It was the first state gubernatorial and legislative election to be held since the passage of several voting rights bills into law by the Democratic trifecta in the 161st Virginia General Assembly, including expansions of early voting, designation of Election Day as a paid state holiday, legalization of automatic and same-day voter registration, the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, and repeal of Voter ID laws.
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Turnout | 54.9% | |
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Governor
editIncumbent Democratic governor Ralph Northam was unable to run for reelection, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the officeholder from serving consecutive terms. Glenn Youngkin won the gubernatorial election against former governor Terry McAuliffe.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Glenn Youngkin | 1,663,158 | 50.58% | +5.61 | |
Democratic | Terry McAuliffe | 1,599,470 | 48.64% | −5.26 | |
Liberation | Princess Blanding | 23,107 | 0.70% | New | |
Write-in | 2,592 | 0.08% | +0.03 | ||
Total votes | 3,288,327 | 100.00% | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Lieutenant governor
editIncumbent lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax was eligible to run for a second term, but instead ran for governor, being defeated in the Democratic primary.[4] Though Fairfax won the last lieutenant governor race with almost 53% of the vote, Republican Winsome Sears won this election by almost two points, becoming the first woman, the first woman of color, and the first Jamaican American chosen for the post.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Winsome Sears | 1,658,332 | 50.71% | +3.53 | |
Democratic | Hala Ayala | 1,608,030 | 49.17% | −3.55 | |
Write-in | 3,807 | 0.12% | +0.03 | ||
Total votes | 3,270,169 | 100.00% | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
Attorney general
editIncumbent attorney general Mark Herring ran for re-election to a third term. He was re-elected in 2017 with 53.3% of the vote. A primary challenge by delegate Jay Jones was supported by Governor Ralph Northam, as well as several federal and state legislators.[5] Jason Miyares was elected the first Cuban American and Hispanic Attorney General of Virginia.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason Miyares | 1,647,100 | 50.36% | +3.80 | |
Democratic | Mark Herring (incumbent) | 1,620,564 | 49.55% | −3.79 | |
Write-in | 2,995 | 0.09% | +0.01 | ||
Total votes | 3,270,659 | 100.00% | |||
Republican gain from Democratic |
House of Delegates
editAll 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates were up for election.[6] The chamber was controlled by Democrats after the 2019 elections, holding a majority of ten seats. The chamber returned to the Republican Party following the 2021 elections, electing Todd Gilbert as the Speaker of the House.
Party | Before | After | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | 55 | 48 | ||
Republican | 45 | 52 | ||
Total | 100 | 100 |
References
edit- ^ SUMMARY OF VIRGINIA REGISTRATION & TURNOUT STATISTICS (Report). Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ Kilgore, Ed (December 14, 2020). "Is Terry McAuliffe the Best Virginia Democrats Can Offer for Governor?". Intelligencer. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
- ^ "2021 November General". results.elections.virginia.gov. Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
- ^ "Lt. Gov. Fairfax announces he will run for governor in 2021". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
- ^ Otey, Jazmine (March 4, 2021). "Gov. Ralph Northam endorses Jay Jones over incumbent Attorney General Mark Herring". WSLS.
- ^ "Welcome to the Virginia General Assembly Website. - Home". virginiageneralassembly.gov. Retrieved January 11, 2021.