The summer campaign season launched Saturday in Richmond as Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears heated up the race for governor.

Democrats and Republicans now have their candidates heading into a summertime special election to fill the seat vacated by the late Congressman Gerry Connolly.

Sears, Delores Oates, Glenn Youngkin and John Reid gather at a campaign rally in Vienna, Va, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Diaz)

A Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that the district-based election system Virginia Beach imposed to comply with federal voting rights law is void. According to the ruling, that’s because the General Assembly did not vote to pass corresponding legislation that would have officially changed the city’s charter.

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and attorney Jay Jones secured nominations in Tuesday’s primary elections to join Abigail Spanberger on the Democratic statewide ticket.

Social media accounts for the late Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) urged Democrats to vote for his former chief of staff James Walkinshaw in the party’s upcoming special election, in posts Tuesday.

In a sweeping move aimed at promoting transparency and leveling the playing field in election access, the Virginia Department of Elections announced Monday that it will reduce the cost of purchasing voter lists by 90% starting next month.

A circuit court judge ruled Monday that an ordinance passed by the Virginia Beach City Council in 2023, which changed the city’s voting system to a 10-1 format, is void.

Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in November's general election.