Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2025

	← 2021
Virginia Lieutenant Governor
	Democratic primary; Republican primary; General election;
Election details
	Filing deadline: April 3, 2025
	Primary: June 17, 2025; General: November 4, 2025; Pre-election incumbent(s):; Winsome Earle-Sears (Republican)
How to vote
	Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Voting in Virginia
Ballotpedia analysis
	Federal and state primary competitiveness; State executive elections in 2025; Impact of term limits in 2025; State government trifectas; State government triplexes; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2025
Virginia; executive elections
	Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General

On the Ballot takes a look at Virginia's 2025 elections.

Ghazala Hashmi (D) and John Reid (R) are running in the general election for lieutenant governor of Virginia on Nov. 4, 2025. Incumbent Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is running for governor of Virginia instead of re-election.

WAMU's Margaret Barthel wrote, "Virginia's lieutenant governor has few official powers. The role presides over the state senate and can break a tie if the body is evenly split on a vote. The position also serves on a variety of state boards and commissions, and pays a salary of just over $36,000. But because Virginia governors can't serve consecutive terms, the lieutenant governor post is often seen as a political stepping stone to a future bid for governor."^[1]

According to Randolph-Macon College's Rich Meagher, the tie-breaking vote is important in the chamber: "If you have a senator who feels uncomfortable about an issue, or have a controversial issue that you feel like it's gonna be really hard to get your entire majority to vote for, it's nice to have a little bit of an extra cushion."^[2] As of Aug. 12, 2025, Democrats have a 21-19 majority in the Virginia Senate.

Hashmi represents District 15 in the state Senate. She was first elected to the chamber in 2019, when she defeated incumbent state Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R) 54% to 46%. Hashmi previously worked as a community college educator for 30 years.^[3]

Hashmi said she is running because "Virginia needs an executive team, inclusive of a strong Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, that is not only ready to respond effectively to the Trump administration but also ready to chart the next four years of policy that will effectively cast Virginia as an exemplar for other states."^[4] Hashmi's priorities includefunding public education and lowering the cost of post-secondary education, ensuring access to affordable health care, and improving housing affordability.^[4]

Reid hosted the radio program, Richmond Morning News, from 2017 to 2025.^[5] He previously worked as a television news anchor and investigative reporter in Richmond, Virginia, for 10 years.^[6] Reid has also worked in communication roles for U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).^[6]

On the election, Reid said, "I left a successful job and career and a decent paycheck to pursue this job and this leadership opportunity. This is not about money or celebrity status or power or future politics for me, it's about leading away from zealotry and social justice warrior agendas and making reasonable and responsible and fair decisions so that free citizens can manage their own lives as they see fit."^[7] Reid's priorities include improving public safety, advocating for lower taxes and deregulation, and opposing any attempt to repeal the state's right-to-work law.^[7]^[8]

As of Aug. 12, 2025, Virginia is one of 17 states where the lieutenant governor is elected separately from the governor. According to George Mason University's Mark Rozell, "With separate balloting, the potential exists for candidates from opposite political parties serving together in the state's two top offices."^[9] From 1969 to 2021, Virginia voters elected candidates from opposite political parties to serve as lieutenant governor and governor five times.^[9] The most recent instance was in 2005, when voters elected Tim Kaine (D) as governor and Bill Bolling (R) as lieutenant governor.^[9]

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

Ghazala Hashmi, John Reid, and Marlow Jones are running in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Ghazala Hashmi (D)
		John Reid (R)
		Marlow Jones (Independent) (Write-in)

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= 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 Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia on June 17, 2025.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Ghazala Hashmi	27.5	136,717
	Levar Stoney	26.5	131,765
	Aaron Rouse	26.2	130,485
	Babur Lateef	8.5	42,099
	Alex Bastani	5.7	28,476
	Victor Salgado	5.6	27,593

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 497,135
= 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

The Republican primary election was canceled. John Reid advanced from the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

John Curran (R)
Pat Herrity (R)

Voting information

See also: Voting in Virginia

Election information in Virginia: Nov. 4, 2025, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Nov. 4, 2025
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 24, 2025
Online: Oct. 24, 2025

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

Yes

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Oct. 24, 2025
By mail: Received by Oct. 24, 2025
Online: Oct. 24, 2025

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Nov. 4, 2025
By mail: Postmarked by Nov. 4, 2025

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 19, 2025 to Nov. 1, 2025

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Ghazala Hashmi

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "I currently represent the 15th Senatorial District which includes parts of Richmond City and Chesterfield County. I first ran for office in 2019, defeating a Republican incumbent in a long-held red seat. In that campaign, campaign secured a one-seat Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate and also secured a Democratic trifecta for the next two years. After winning my second term in office in November 2023, I now serve as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee. Prior to my first election in November 2019, I worked as a community college educator for nearly 30 years."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

After serving six years in the Virginia Senate, I am running now for Lieutenant Governor for many of the same reasons that I first ran for the State Senate in 2019: to speak out and stand up for those individuals and communities that have been historically and systemically marginalized. Given the reality of what is happening now in Washington, DC, the role of state leaders has become even more important and vital. By default, the work of protecting public education, access to health care, protections for civil rights (including the rights of women and the LGBTQ community), the environment, our children from gun violence, and so much more are now falling to the responsibility of state leaders and state legislatures.

Virginia needs an Executive Team, inclusive of a strong Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, that is not only ready to respond effectively to the Trump administration but also ready to chart the next four years of policy that will effectively cast Virginia as an exemplar for other states. As the Trump-Musk Administration assails our freedoms and our values, I have pushed back hard, most recently holding town halls in districts where Republican congressmen are afraid to face their own constituents. I have attended rallies and stood shoulder to shoulder with Virginians anxious, concerned, and angry at the direction of this country, making certain that they know I will always be by their side protecting our shared values.

I have introduced bills to protect Medicaid, establish environmental justice, provide healthcare coverage for all children, grant educational opportunities for all students, and protect the right to reproductive healthcare in Virginia. The work that I have been doing proves that I am the kind of leader we need now to push back against a lawless president.

John Reid

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography: Reid received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Baylor University. His professional experience included working as a talk radio host, television news anchor, and investigative reporter. Reid also worked in communication roles for U.S. Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Reid said, “Tax reform is also an imperative as Virginia risks falling behind other states with no car tax and lower or no income tax. We need a rethinking of our tax structure to keep and recruit business and an increasingly mobile workforce.”

According to Reid’s campaign website, “His focus is on ensuring that our educational system imparts knowledge and critical thinking skills, not political bias, preparing students for success in a diverse world instead of creating radical activists.”

On public safety Reid said he would “side with the law abiding citizens and advocate boldly for them against the movement to coddle criminals.”

Show sources

Sources: The Virginia Mercury, “Virginia lieutenant governor race questionnaire: John Reid,” June 16, 2025; John Reid Campaign Website, “On the Issues,” accessed on August 11, 2025; LinkedIn, “John Reid,” accessed August 11, 2025; John Reid Campaign Website, “Meet John,” accessed August 11, 2025

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

After serving six years in the Virginia Senate, I am running now for Lieutenant Governor for many of the same reasons that I first ran for the State Senate in 2019: to speak out and stand up for those individuals and communities that have been historically and systemically marginalized. Given the reality of what is happening now in Washington, DC, the role of state leaders has become even more important and vital. By default, the work of protecting public education, access to health care, protections for civil rights (including the rights of women and the LGBTQ community), the environment, our children from gun violence, and so much more are now falling to the responsibility of state leaders and state legislatures.

Virginia needs an Executive Team, inclusive of a strong Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, that is not only ready to respond effectively to the Trump administration but also ready to chart the next four years of policy that will effectively cast Virginia as an exemplar for other states. As the Trump-Musk Administration assails our freedoms and our values, I have pushed back hard, most recently holding town halls in districts where Republican congressmen are afraid to face their own constituents. I have attended rallies and stood shoulder to shoulder with Virginians anxious, concerned, and angry at the direction of this country, making certain that they know I will always be by their side protecting our shared values.

I have introduced bills to protect Medicaid, establish environmental justice, provide healthcare coverage for all children, grant educational opportunities for all students, and protect the right to reproductive healthcare in Virginia. The work that I have been doing proves that I am the kind of leader we need now to push back against a lawless president.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

Fully funding public education and lowering the costs of college degrees: All children in Virginia should be guaranteed quality public education that prepares them for well-paying jobs or higher education. I will continue to work to invest in schools, students, educators, and support staff. Ensuring access to affordable and quality health care: Given federal threats, protecting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act is a top priority. That's why I wrote the bill to protect Medicaid expansion from Trump and Musk's attacks. I am also a very strong supporter of reproductive freedom including the right to safe and legal abortion. For two years now, I have carried and successfully passed The Right to Contraception Act.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

I don't back down from tough fights. As a mom, immigrant, and lifelong educator, Trump's hate pushed me to run and flip the State Senate. When Republicans came after abortion rights, I wrote and passed the bill to protect contraception. When they tried to ban books, I wrote and passed the bill to protect our schools. When Trump and Musk came after our healthcare, I wrote the bill to protect Medicaid (and I'm still working on it!) That's why I'm proud to be the only candidate endorsed by both abortion rights groups and labor unions.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

Yes. That's why I'm running - because I have the most legislative experience of any candidate in the race.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

Legislative experience is a must. The Lieutenant Governor serves as president of the State Senate, and as a bridge between the executive and the legislature. I currently serve in the State Senate and chair the Education and Health committee and have by far the longest record of legislative experience of any candidate in the race. Before serving in the General Assembly, I was an educator for nearly thirty years, which is additional helpful lived experience.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Ghazala Hashmi (D)

I'm proud to be the only candidate endorsed by both abortion rights groups and labor unions. I'm also endorsed by several dozen current and former elected officials. Find the full list at: https://ghazalaforvirginia.com/endorsements/

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

John Reid

Campaign advertisements

Ghazala Hashmi

John Reid

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Election competitiveness

Polls

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We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available for this race, please email us.

Endorsements

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Click the links below to see official endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites for any candidates that make that information available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

Ghazala Hashmi

Election spending

Campaign finance

The section and tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA.

Election context