Merle Rutledge
Merle Rutledge (Republican Party) ran for election for Governor of Virginia. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on June 17, 2025.
Biography
Rutledge was born on December 25, 1980, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He graduated from Norfolk State University with a bachelor's degree in 2014. His career experience includes working as a freelance investigative reporter.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Virginia gubernatorial election, 2025
General election
General election for Governor of Virginia
Abigail Spanberger defeated Winsome Earle-Sears in the general election for Governor of Virginia on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Abigail Spanberger (D) | 56.7 | 1,676,758 |
 | Winsome Earle-Sears (R) | 43.2 | 1,277,999 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,866 | ||
| Total votes: 2,957,623 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Donna Charles (Independent)
- Levar Stoney (D)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Abigail Spanberger advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Winsome Earle-Sears advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Virginia.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Merle Rutledge (R)
- Dave LaRock (R)
- Amanda Chase (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Rutledge in this election.
2023
See also: Virginia State Senate elections, 2023
General election
General election for Virginia State Senate District 18
Incumbent Louise Lucas defeated Tony Goodwin in the general election for Virginia State Senate District 18 on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Louise Lucas (D) | 58.9 | 28,668 |
 | Tony Goodwin (R) | 40.7 | 19,828 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 203 | ||
| Total votes: 48,699 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Virginia State Senate District 18
Incumbent Louise Lucas defeated incumbent Lionell Spruill in the Democratic primary for Virginia State Senate District 18 on June 20, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Louise Lucas | 53.1 | 9,614 |
 | Lionell Spruill | 46.9 | 8,484 | |
| Total votes: 18,098 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Virginia State Senate District 18
Tony Goodwin defeated Merle Rutledge in the Republican primary for Virginia State Senate District 18 on June 10, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tony Goodwin | 87.9 | 175 |
 | Merle Rutledge | 12.1 | 24 | |
| Total votes: 199 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Rutledge in this election.
2021
See also: Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021 (June 8 Democratic primary)
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2021 (May 8 Republican convention)
General election
General election for Governor of Virginia
Glenn Youngkin defeated Terry McAuliffe, Princess Blanding, and Paul Davis in the general election for Governor of Virginia on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Glenn Youngkin (R) | 50.6 | 1,663,596 |
 | Terry McAuliffe (D) | 48.6 | 1,600,116 | |
 | Princess Blanding (Liberation Party) | 0.7 | 23,125 | |
 | Paul Davis (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,593 | ||
| Total votes: 3,289,430 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brad Froman (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia
Terry McAuliffe defeated Jennifer D. Carroll Foy, Jennifer McClellan, Justin Fairfax, and Lee Carter in the Democratic primary for Governor of Virginia on June 8, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Terry McAuliffe | 62.1 | 307,367 |
 | Jennifer D. Carroll Foy | 19.8 | 98,052 | |
 | Jennifer McClellan | 11.8 | 58,213 | |
 | Justin Fairfax | 3.6 | 17,606 | |
 | Lee Carter | 2.8 | 13,694 | |
| Total votes: 494,932 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican convention
Republican Convention for Governor of Virginia
The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Glenn Youngkin in round 6 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.
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Total votes: 12,555 |
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Merle Rutledge (R)
- Kurt Santini (R)
- Paul Davis (R)
Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Merle Rutledge did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2023
Merle Rutledge did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2021
Merle Rutledge completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rutledge's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I also was an NAACP college scholarship recipient which changed my life. By volunteering with this wonderful organization starting in the 10th grade I went from a mediocre student to a 3.0 cumulative GPA for my final two years in high school. I also played for the Dan River High School Basketball team from 1996 to 1998 and in the final year winning the Dogwood District Tournament title.
After moving to Norfolk, VA to attend Norfolk State University I founded the local chapter of Phi Delta Psi Fraternity Inc. While at Norfolk State University I fought to build the first voting precinct following the Bush 2000 Election Victory. I also volunteered for the Children of the Sun, Sentara, Urban League, and multiple projects for wellness with Sentara Hospital. All during this time, I learned and developed into a leader in the community.
My fraternity was the first to host the Youth Leadership Conference in Hampton Roads at Norfolk State University, facilitated by the Children of the Sun, Urban League, and local police departments, to place youth into programs and outlets that promote a positive role into the community.
- Child Protective Services and Family Court Reform and Increase funding to police and mental health services!
- "Expanding Gun Rights through the Castle Doctrine, Fixed Stand Your Ground Law, State Recognized Gun, Administrative restoration of gun rights, and a Constitutional Carry State"
- "Death Penalty to Pedophiles, Ending credit checks for employment, Marijuana Legalization and Expungement of all records, Pro Business, Pro Life, and Criminal Justice Reform which will mandate open file discovery and elections instead of appointments of judges"
Some issues I strongly support are 2nd Amendment rights and the right to life. I also support cracking down on illegal immigration and building the wall. Gaining support for tax breaks for first responders and our military personnel is a priority with me. I plan to overhaul the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to make slum lords more accountable to renters.
"Rutledge Campaign Policies and Position moving Va forward!"
President Trump became the Father of a Nation for those young people that was causing disturbances to this new civil rights movement.
June 2, 2020 by Merle "Pitbull" Travis Rutledge Jr for Virginia Governor 2021
The only man to not take any money from any special interest group.
The only man to help police solve and bring justice to murderers.
The only man to stand up against BLM face to face with Tea Party Patriots.
The only man to tell the Elites and Establishment hacks to go fuck themselves face to face and still get invites. I'll gladly do it again if they cross me wrong!
The only man that hasn't back down to nobody or made friends with America's biggest enemies.
The only man to take on pedophiles with no remorse.
The only man to come up with a tax plan that pushes the state out of localities business. Keeping the interest from businesses that reside there, not the state from outside corporations.
The only man that will give pardons for violating Gov Northam gun laws. #2A speeches in Chesapeake, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk, Halifax, Harrisonburg, Hampton and VA Beach!
The only man that will protect your First Amendment right to disagree!
The only man to commit to putting statutes back up and have criminals do the work.
The only man that created change and didn't have go be elected to do it.
The only man that will overturn Roe vs. Wade.
The only man that politicians fear. Ask them!
The only man to earn his respect and be himself at all times.
The only man that puts God first during all his speeches.
The only man that ends his speeches with God bless America.
The only man that doesn't cry when attack. I hit back 20 times harder.
The only man that would not have closed down Virginia for a political hoax.
The only man that has proven that he won't be intimidated or rule by mob!
The only man that continues to have a copper cup that continues to runneth over.
The only man to restore gun rights for law abiding former felons and protect gun rights from red flag laws.
The only man that will end socialism with a plan.
public office is an act of service to the public - that is, service to all the residents of a city or town, not just those who
share your views or those who voted for you. It is a challenge that requires every office holder to rise above the fray, to reach beyond
Anyone elected to the office of governor assumes tremendous responsibility overnight. He or she becomes the spokesperson for the entire state and their political party, accepts blame or praise for handling decision-making in times of crisis, oversees the implementation of public policy, and helps shepherd legislation through the lawmaking process. These tasks require a great deal of skill and demand that governors exhibit different strengths and personality traits. Governors must learn to work well with other lawmakers, bureaucrats, cabinet officials, and with the citizens who elected them to office in the first place. I have no plans on working well with any of these politicians in Richmond, Va. I believe that I should trust no one in Richmond, until I'm given reason to do so. These politicians care more about lining their pockets then working with the Virginia people. I plan on draining the swamp in Richmond and the last thing on my mind is making friends with the swamp. press coverage by virtue of being the leading elected official in their state. The Governor should not be there to please every swamp creature in Richmond, Va. They need to be there to make sure the public business is carried out and to make sure they close the circus that have lead to huge distrust in our public officials. Also I will make sure that public officials are prosecuted for crimes committed and can't use the law to get blanket immunity. The day of criminals in our state capitol is over.
People have lost trust in their representatives. They go to Richmond, Va or D.C and get bullied by those incumbents that care more about lining their pockets than helping the American people. Too long, we have been stuck being politically correct at our expense. We support term limits to get dinosaur politicians out of government. Mr. Rutledge loves God, Country, and Families and puts their needs first when deciding on policies that can impact them in any kind of way. We are doing too much for immigrants while leaving American citizens behind. Not anymore under a Rutledge administration. Virginia citizens will come first!
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Governor of Virginia |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 19, 2020
- ↑ Ballotpedia was contacted on January 7, 2021, regarding an allegation of plagiarism against this candidate. Ballotpedia contacted the candidate and had not received a reply as of March 4, 2021. The survey answer that was subject to the allegation was removed.
