Virginia Democrats' lieutenant governor race still undecided
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Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (left) and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Photos: Courtesy of Hashmi Campaign and Max Posner or the Washington Post via Getty Images
We still don't officially know who the Democrats' lieutenant governor candidate is.
Why it matters: It's the hottest race on the 2025 primary ticket, and includes two Richmond-area locals.
Driving the news: As of Wednesday morning, frontrunners state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney were within 1% of each other.
What they're saying: Hashmi declared victory Tuesday night, the Democratic party announced her as the winner and opponent Aaron Rouse congratulated her.
- But Stoney hasn't conceded.
The intrigue: If the final margin is within 1% or less, the race would be eligible for a recount.
- But there's no such thing as an "automatic recount" in Virginia — whoever is behind has to request one.
By the numbers: Hashmi, who represents Chesterfield and parts of South Richmond, swept Richmond — the city Stoney was mayor of for eight years — with 58% of the vote, according to unofficial results.
- Stoney performed better in Chesterfield and Henrico, where he had around 35% of the vote in a six-way race, than he did in Richmond.
- But Hashmi led overall in the Richmond area.
Zoom out: Former Norfolk lawmaker Jay Jones won the Democratic nomination for attorney general, per the AP, which means Virginia could have its first Black AG.
What we're watching: When each ticket will first show up together.
- The GOP nominees have yet to do so in the months since Gov. Youngkin asked lieutenant governor candidate John Reid to step aside earlier this year.
- In an interview with WTOP this week, Reid said, "I would love to do an event with my ticket mates" and called it "disappointing" that it hasn't happened.
- Reid also said he hasn't spoken with Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, in nearly two months.
Other Richmond election results
In Richmond, incumbent Colette McEachin is clearly on track to serve another term as commonwealth's attorney with more than 71% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
- McEachin currently doesn't have a Republican challenger.
Incumbent Antionette Irving is poised to win the Democratic primary for sheriff with 54% of votes, per unofficial results.
Local House races
Five Democratic primaries for metro Richmond seats in the House of Delegates were in play, too. The results, per VPAP, citing the AP:
House District 57 (Henrico, parts of Goochland): May Nivar will face GOP Del. David Owen in November.
HD 81 (Henrico, sliver of Chesterfield): Incumbent Del. Delores McQuinn defeated her Democratic challenger Alicia Atkins and will run unopposed.
HD 72 (includes Chesterfield): Randolph Critzer will be up against GOP Del. Lee Ware.
For the all-Chesterfield HD 73: Leslie Mehta will take on GOP Del. Mark Earley, Jr.
HD 75 (Chesterfield): Lindsey Dougherty will try to unseat GOP Del. Carrie Coyner.