For related races, see 2021 United States gubernatorial elections.
Election for the governorship of the U.S. state of Virginia
2021 Virginia gubernatorial election
← 2017
November 2, 2021[1]
2025 →
Turnout
54.9% 7.7[2]
Nominee
Glenn Youngkin
Terry McAuliffe
Party
Republican
Democratic
Popular vote
1,663,158
1,599,470
Percentage
50.58%
48.64%
County and independent city results
Congressional district results
State Senate districts results
State House of Delegates district results
Precinct results
Youngkin: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% McAuliffe: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Tie: 40–50% 50% No data
Governor before election
Ralph Northam
Democratic
Elected Governor
Glenn Youngkin
Republican
Elections in Virginia
Federal government
U.S. President
1788–89
1792
1796
1800
1804
1808
1812
1816
1820
1824
1828
1832
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
1860
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
Dem
2004
2008
Dem
GOP
2012
2016
Dem
2020
Dem
2024
Dem
GOP
U.S. Senate
1788
1790 (sp)
1791
1792 (sp)
1793
1794 (sp)
1796
1798
1799 (sp)
1803
1803 (sp)
1804
1804 (sp)
1808
1809
1811
1814
1814 (sp)
1815 (sp)
1816
1816 (sp)
1819 (sp)
1821
1822 (sp)
1823
1824
1824 (sp)
1827
1829
1832 (sp)
1833
1834 (sp)
1835
1836 (sp)
1837
1837 (sp)
1839
1840
1841 (sp)
1845
1845 (sp)
1846
1847 (sp)
1850
1852
1856
1858
1861 (sp)
1863
1865
1865 (sp)
1870
1871
1875
1877
1881
1883
1887
1889
1893
1893 (sp)
1894
1899
1899
1904
1906
1910
1911
1912
1912 (sp)
1916
1918
1920 (sp)
1922
1924
1928
1930
1933 (sp)
1934
1936
1940
1942
1946
1946 (sp)
1948
1952
1954
1958
1960
1964
1966
1966 (sp)
1970
1972
1976
1978
1982
1984
1988
1990
1994
1996
2000
2002
2006
2008
2012
2014
2018
2020
2024
2026
U.S. House
1789
1790
9th sp
1793
1795
1797
1798 (9th sp)
1799
1800 (13th sp)
1801
1803
1804
5th sp
13th sp
1805
13th sp
1807
17th sp
1809
21st sp
1st sp
1811
1813
1814 (11th sp)
1815
15th sp
1816
18th sp
23rd sp
1817
1818 (19th sp)
1819
1820
1st sp
10th sp
17th sp
20th sp
1821
1822 (2nd sp)
1823
1824 (13th sp)
1825
1826 (5th sp)
1827
1829
10th sp
1831
1833
1835
1837
1839
1841
1843
1845
1847
1849
1851
1853
1855
1857
1859
4th sp
1861
11th sp
1862 (1st sp)
1869
1870
1872
1874
1876
1878
1880
1882
1884
7th sp
1886
1888
1890
1892
1894
7th sp
1896
1898
1900
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1st sp
1920
4th sp
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
2nd sp
1946
5th sp
6th sp
7th sp
1948
4th sp
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
6th sp
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
5th sp
1990
1991 (7th sp)
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2001 (4th sp)
2002
8th
2004
2006
2007 (1st sp)
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
10th
2020
2022
2023 (4th sp)
2024
State government
Governor
1776
1851
1855
1859
1863
C
U
1869
1873
1877
1881
1885
1889
1893
1897
1901
1905
1909
1913
1917
1921
1925
1929
1933
1937
1941
1945
1949
1953
1957
1961
1965
1969
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Lieutenant Governor
1973
1977
1981
1985
1989
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Attorney General
1993
1997
2001
2005
2009
2013
2017
2021
2025
Senate
1967
1971
1975
1979
1983
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023
House of Delegates
1975
1977
1979
1981
1982
1983
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
State elections
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2023
Ballot measures
Statewide
1970
1972
1974
1976
1977
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1987
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
Fairfax County
2016
Alexandria
Mayor
2012
2015
2018
2021
2024
(List)
Hampton
Mayor
2016
Henrico County
Commonwealth's Attorney
2011
2015
2019
Norfolk
Mayor
2006
2010
2014
2016
Richmond
Mayor
2016
2020
2024
City Council
2016
Virginia Beach
Mayor
2008
2012
2016
2018
2020
City Council
2020
v
t
e
The 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the next governor of Virginia. The election was concurrent with other elections for Virginia state offices. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ralph Northam was ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. Businessman Glenn Youngkin won the Republican nomination at the party's May 8 convention, which was held in 37 polling locations across the state,[3] and was officially declared the nominee on May 10.[4] The Democratic Party held its primary election on June 8,[5] which former Governor Terry McAuliffe easily won.[6]
In the general election, Youngkin defeated McAuliffe by nearly 64,000 votes in what was considered an upset because McAuliffe led over Youngkin in the polls until right before election day.[7] Youngkin was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Virginia since 2009. The economy, education, public health, and cultural issues were centerpieces of Youngkin's campaign.[8][9][10] Youngkin promised to ban the teaching of critical race theory within state schools on "day one", push back against certain COVID-19 restrictions including vaccination mandates and mask mandates, and advocate for small government within the state of Virginia.[11][12][13]
Democrats tried to portray Youngkin as a political ally of Donald Trump, who lost Virginia in 2020, and Trump did indeed express support for Youngkin. Walking a fine line between welcoming the endorsement and demonstrating independence, Youngkin was able to successfully appeal to both Republicans and independents.[14] Political analysts believe that the main reason for the Democratic Party's defeat in Virginia was that voters were not satisfied with the performance of President Joe Biden, with whom McAuliffe allied himself.[15] Youngkin successfully campaigned on dissatisfaction with current economic and educational policies from voters, particularly centrists, to win more votes than in the past in several key suburban counties to fuel his election.[citation needed]
^"Republican Glenn Youngkin is leading in Virginia governor race. Here's the latest". NPR. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^SUMMARY OF VIRGINIA REGISTRATION & TURNOUT STATISTICS (Report). Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
^Wilson, Patrick (March 12, 2021). "After months of fighting, Va. Republicans appear to have finalized nomination process". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
^Gabriel, Trip (May 11, 2021). "Glenn Youngkin Wins G.O.P. Nomination for Virginia Governor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
^Kilgore, Ed (December 14, 2020). "Is Terry McAuliffe the Best Virginia Democrats Can Offer for Governor?". Intelligencer. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
^"Virginia Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 8, 2021. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
^Silver, Nate (November 2, 2021). "Who's ahead in the Virginia governor's race?". FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^Ariel Edwards-Levy (November 2, 2021). "Independent voters favor Youngkin as he clinches victory in Virginia, CNN exit poll shows". CNN. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^Prokop, Andrew (November 3, 2021). "What Glenn Youngkin's Virginia win means for Democrats". Vox. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^Graham, David A. (November 2, 2021). "Tonight Is a Test of What Trumpism Could Be Without Trump". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^"In Virginia, Republicans see education, curriculum fears as a path to victory". NBC News. October 17, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^"Glenn Youngkin targets education in Virginia Gov. race, says he'd ban CRT". Newsweek. October 24, 2021. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^Barrabi, Thomas (November 2, 2021). "Virginia governor-elect Youngkin's economic plan includes lower taxes, less regulation". FOXBusiness. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
^"Republican political amateur wins Virginia governor election, President Biden's political and governance prospects are worrisome". VOA. November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
^Manchester, Julia; Samuels, Brett (July 23, 2021). "Biden hits trail for McAuliffe in test of his political brand". The Hill. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
and 30 Related for: 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election information
United States gubernatorialelections were held on November 2, 2021, in two states, New Jersey and Virginia, and a recall election was held in California...
The 2021Virginia lieutenant gubernatorialelection was held on November 2, 2021, to elect the next lieutenant governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic...
2017 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on November 7, 2017. Incumbent Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe was unable to run for re-election, as...
The 2009 Virginiagubernatorialelection took place in Virginia on November 3, 2009. The incumbent Governor, Democrat Tim Kaine, was not eligible to run...
The 2013 Virginiagubernatorialelection took place on November 5, 2013, to elect the governor of Virginia. The incumbent governor, Republican Bob McDonnell...
The 2024 West Virginiagubernatorialelection will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2024 U.S...
The 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was a special recall election that began in August 2021 and concluded on September 14, 2021, when California...
The 2020 West Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the governor of West Virginia, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential...
In the 1969 Virginiagubernatorialelection, incumbent Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr., a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. A...
The 1989 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on November 7, 1989. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jerry Baliles was unable to seek a second term due...
In the 1985 Virginiagubernatorialelection, incumbent Governor Chuck Robb, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Jerry Baliles...
The 1993 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on November 2, 1993. Barred from seeking a second term due to term limits restricting consecutive terms...
States elections. The last gubernatorialelections for New Jersey and Virginia were in 2021. Both incumbents are in-eligible to run for re-election due to...
coincided with the 2021VirginiaGubernatorialelection, the Lieutenant Gubernatorialelection, and lastly, the Attorney General election, all of which were...
The 2025 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorialelection will be held on November 4, 2025, to elect the lieutenant governor of Virginia. Incumbent Republican...
1953 Virginiagubernatorialelection, incumbent Governor John S. Battle, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Virginia State...
Delegates in an upset. Primary elections were held on June 8, 2021. It was the first state gubernatorial and legislative election to be held since the passage...
The 2001 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on November 6, 2001. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Gilmore was barred from seeking a second term;...
The 1873 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on May 27, 1873, to elect the governor of Virginia. "Our Campaigns - VA Governor Race - May 27, 1873"...
States gubernatorialelections are scheduled to be held on November 5, 2024, in 11 states and two territories. The previous gubernatorialelections for this...
In the 1965 Virginiagubernatorialelection, incumbent Governor Albertis Harrison, a Democrat, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. Linwood...
In the 1977 Virginiagubernatorialelection, incumbent Governor Mills E. Godwin, Jr., a Republican, was unable to seek re-election due to term limits....
1829 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on 1 March 1829 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Virginia William...
1831 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on 12 February 1831 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic Governor of Virginia John...
The 1823 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on 30 November 1823 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor...
The 1812 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on 30 November 1812 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor...
The 1996 West Virginiagubernatorialelection took place on November 5, 1996 to elect the Governor of West Virginia. Republican Cecil Underwood, who had...
The 1817 Virginiagubernatorialelection was held on 30 November 1817 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. Incumbent Democratic-Republican Governor...
Global Information
7.7[2]
