As has been rumored/talked about and assumed for months, last night – scoop by Virginia Scope reporter Brandon Jarvis – Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07) confirmed that she will NOT be running for reelection to the U.S. House but WILL be running for governor of Virginia in 2025. Along with Spanberger on the Democratic side, it’s also expected that Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will run for governor. And on the Republican side, possible (likely?) candidates include Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, Attorney General Jason Miyares, possibly Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA01), and potentially many others. Also, keep an eye on former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA05) to see whether he runs for governor, possibly as an independent.
Meanwhile, in VA07, which is a purplish/blue-ish district, it’s likely to be a very crowded field on both the Democratic and Republican sides. Democrats who might run include Del. Elizabeth Guzman [UPDATE 10:20 Saturday: Hearing that Guzman announced this morning to local Democrats that she WILL be running for VA07], State Sen. Jeremy McPike, former Del. Hala Ayala, State Sen.-elect Jennifer Carroll Foy (although I’m guessing she stays in the State Senate, but we’ll see), former National Security Council deputy legal advisor Yevgeny Vindman, Del. Briana Sewell, Del. Candi King [UPDATE 8:35 am Saturday – King says she’s not running for VA07], attorney Ben Litchfield [UPDATE 9:40 am Saturday – Litchfield says he’s not running for VA07], Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef, 2023 VA State Senate candidate Joel Griffin, Prince William County Supervisor Margaret Franklin, Delegate-elect Joshua Cole [UPDATE 8:35 am Saturday – Cole says he’s not running for VA07], and possibly others (e.g., Dr. Cameron Webb?). On the Republican side, former Special Forces soldier Derrick Anderson has announced, as have Navy SEAL combat veteran Cameron Hamilton, former Marine Corps officer Jon Meyers and entrepreneur Bill Moher, with presumably numerous others (e.g., Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega) likely to jump in. Stay tuned!
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