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Virginia’s governor race, once expected to be quiet, has been upended by a shutdown fight and late controversies. Democrat Abigail Spanberger has led Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in polls while both court federal workers hit by furloughs and earlier DOGE-related layoffs. Earle-Sears criticizes Spanberger over funding tactics and downplays layoff impacts. A Democratic attorney general nominee’s violent 2022 texts sparked GOP attacks, which Spanberger condemned without retracting her endorsement. Democrats unveiled a redistricting amendment late in the campaign, after many early votes. Voters’ top concerns remain energy prices, housing affordability and jobs.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.