Abigail Spanberger, Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, holds a slim lead over Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, a new poll shows. The 2025 Virginia governor’s race stands as a critical test for both major parties ahead of the 2026 midterms. As one of the first major statewide contests since the 2024 presidential election, its outcome could preview national trends and directly impact party strategies for holding or capturing congressional majorities. Virginia’s status as a swing state, as