On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, Virginia will have one of the most consequential elections in the country. While most of the attention will be on the gubernatorial race, there are local elections happening right here in Lynchburg that are just as vital to vote in.
For those of you who are registered to vote in Virginia or more specifically, in Lynchburg, here is a voting guide to help you make the most informed decisions come election day.
If you are not registered to vote in Virginia or Lynchburg, don’t worry. Same-day registration allows voters to register and cast a provisional ballot, which will later be added to the vote count after local electoral board approval.
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Governor
As one of two gubernatorial elections happening in 2025, the Virginia Governor race has been unavoidable in recent weeks. Both candidates have been relentlessly campaigning across the commonwealth. Here are the two candidates running for Virginia governor:
Currently serving as the Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears is a Marine Corps veteran, businesswoman and former Virginia House of Delegates member (2001-2003). Originally born in Jamaica, Earle-Sears immigrated to the United States as a child and has made faith and family the focal point of her campaign message.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Earle-Sears has previously supported a “heartbeat” bill, restricting abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, she opposes the proposed constitutional amendment that would protect access to abortions.
- Education: Earle-Sears is a staunch supporter of school choice. Through vouchers and expanding private and charter schools, she hopes to open up educational opportunities for children across the Commonwealth.
- Economy: Supporting President Trump’s tariffs, promising to cut regulations and right-to-work laws, which prohibit workplaces from requiring employees to join a union are all key policies for Earle-Sears
- Public Safety: She has called for increased law enforcement funding and tougher sentencing for violent offenders, positioning herself as the “law and order” candidate.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: While she has not made LGBTQ+ rights a central point of her campaign, Earle-Sears has opposed transgender-inclusive school policies, proposed legislation to prevent transgender athletes from competing with the gender they identify with and has publicly stated her opposition to same-sex marriage.
A former CIA agent and three-term U.S. congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger has built her campaign around bipartisanship, “pragmatic problem-solving” and the balance between economic growth and social responsibility.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Spanberger supports Virginia’s current abortion law, which allows the procedure up to 26 weeks of a pregnancy. Additionally, she supports a state constitutional amendment that would protect access to abortions, framing the issue of reproductive rights as one of personal freedom and government restraint.
- Education: Spanberger not only opposes diverting public funds from public to private schools through vouchers, but she supports raising teacher’s pay, strengthening public education and using technology and broadband access to address rural learning disparities.
- Economy: Like Earle-Sears, Spanberger has pledged to eliminate the Virginia Car Tax. However, Spanberger also plans to incentivize small-businesses, invest in affordable housing and support workforce development programs for clean energy.
- Public Safety: Spanberger advocates for universal background checks and red flag laws to prevent gun violence, while maintaining that she supports responsible gun ownership.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Spanberger has been a consistent supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during her time in Congress. She has voted for the Equality Act, opposed efforts to restrict transgender healthcare or rights and supports comprehensive, anti-discrimination protections.
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Lieutenant Governor
With Winsome Earle-Sears running for governor, the position of lieutenant governor is up for grabs. The lieutenant governor will preside over the Virginia State Senate, occasionally serving as a tie-breaking vote Additionally, the lieutenant governor will help the governor shape policies and promote legislation. This particular race has been no stranger to controversy, as a report allegedly tied Republican candidate, John Reid, to a Tumblr blog that reposted Nazi-themed pornography and violent sexual content. Reid has denied these allegations, but has been asked to leave the race by both Democrats and Republicans, including Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Here are the two candidates running for lieutenant governor:
A state senator and former community college educator, Ghazala Hashmi has emphasized equity, climate resilience and education in her campaign. As the first Muslim and South Asian-American to serve in the Virginia Senate, Hashmi has positioned herself as a progressive advocate for working families and inclusive governance.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Hashmi supports access to abortions and contraceptives, emphasizing the importance of expanding access to these services, rather than restricting them.
- Education: As a former educator herself, Hashmi has pledged to fully fund public schools, expanding community college and workforce pathways and improving access for students with disabilities and English learners.
- Economy: Hashmi’s platform links economic opportunities with social supports, arguing for stronger worker protections, quality child and elder care, preparing for emerging technological careers and industries and ensuring safe and affordable housing for all Virginians.
- Public Safety: Hashmi supports stronger gun-violence prevention methods, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, strengthening red flag laws and an assault weapons ban.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Hashmi has consistently supported LGBTQ+ equality in Virginia, voting for legislation to protect gender identity and sexual orientation anti-discrimination policies in regard to housing, employment and education. Additionally, she opposes restrictions to transgender students’ rights and has advocated for Virginia to remain a welcoming place for all.
A former conservative talk-radio host and communications consultant, John Reid is focusing on economic growth and cultural conservatism in his campaign. As the first openly gay candidate for statewide office in Virginia, he has argued that representation does not mean uniformity of beliefs, labeling himself as a “common-sense conservative” who believes in limited government and free speech.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Reid has publicly identified as pro-life, opposing efforts to add protections for abortions to the state constitution. He has publicly stated that he supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, but argues that abortion should not be used as a form of “birth control.”
- Education: Reid advocates for local control of schools, opposing “state overreach” in education. Additionally, he supports parental rights in regard to determining classroom content and gender-related policies, as well as expanding school choice options like vouchers or charter schools.
- Economy: Reid has made economic growth and tax relief a focal point of his campaign. He supports reducing income and business taxes, cutting regulations, small business growth and energy independence.
- Public Safety: Reid opposes gun-control legislation, arguing that the focus should be on stronger sentencing for repeat offenders, increased law enforcement funding and increased mental health services, rather than restricting firearm ownership.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Though openly gay, Reid has stated that his sexual orientation does not “define him.” Reid has opposed transgender-inclusive school policies, supported the proposed Earle-Sears legislation that would prevent transgender athletes from competing with the gender they identify with and promised to protect the freedom to disagree about issues like same-sex marriage.
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Attorney General
The Attorney General serves as the state’s lawyer, defending the interests of Virginians and the Virginia government. Additionally, they work alongside law enforcement to promote successful and secure communities within the Commonwealth. This race for Attorney General has been highly contentious, as texts from 2022, sent by Jay Jones, the Democratic candidate, were leaked. In these texts, Jones wrote about shooting then-Virginia House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his family in text messages he sent to Republican state Del. Carrie Coyner. Jones has apologized and taken accountability for these statements, but has refused to drop out of the race.
Here are the two candidates running for Attorney General:
Jason Miyares (R)
As the incumbent Attorney General and the first Latino to hold the office, Jason Miyares has emphasized law enforcement, public safety and combating organized crime as central points of his campaign. During his tenure, he has focused on addressing the opioid epidemic, taken a firm stance on border security and tackling retail crimes across the Commonwealth.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Miyares supports the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, believing that each state should set their own abortion policies. Additionally, he opposes any constitutional amendments that would enshrine or expand access to abortion.
- Education: Advocating for curriculum transparency laws and parental rights, Miyares has defended Governor Youngkin’s transgender student restriction policies in court and has promised to continue upholding the legislature that is passed.
- Economy: Miyares supports reducing business regulations, lowering taxes and prioritizing crime reduction as a way to attract employers and economic growth within the Commonwealth. Additionally, he has linked energy affordability to economic opportunity, arguing against restrictive climate policies.
- Public Safety: Miyares has made public safety the central point of his campaign, focusing on prosecuting violent offenders, addressing the opioid crisis, combating retail theft and supporting mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Miyares has defended the Youngkin administration’s policy restricting transgender students’ use of bathrooms and preferred pronouns. Additionally, his office has opposed legal challenges from school districts seeking to expand protections.
As the former Assistant Attorney General in Washington D.C. and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Jay Jones has presented himself as a “reformer” who believes in justice, equality and accountability. This is his second time running against Miyares for the office of Attorney General and is emphasizing civil rights and fairness in law enforcement in this campaign.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Jones supports enshrining and expanding abortion rights in the state constitution, as well as working alongside other Attorney Generals to protect reproductive healthcare from legal challenges.
- Education: Jones supports restorative justice programs in schools, increased mental health funding and expanding protections for LGBTQ+ and minority students. Additionally, he opposes book bans, supporting inclusive classroom materials.
- Economy: Jones has emphasized the lowering costs for working class families and holding corporations accountable for price gouging and anti-competitive practices. Additionally, Jones has pledged to target big banks for discriminatory lending, support small businesses, promote innovation under transparent and fair regulations, take on corporate polluters and defend workers against wage theft.
- Public Safety: Jones has emphasized his focus on balanced criminal justice reform; focusing on violent crime prevention while investing in rehabilitation, mental health support and community-based policing. Additionally, he is focused on restoring trust between law enforcement and marginalized communities.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Jones is an advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and has pledged to use the Attorney General’s office to protect Virginians from discrimination in employment, housing and education. Additionally, he supports updating Virginia’s anti-discrimination laws to include full protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals and opposes efforts to roll back existing rights.
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House of Delegates District 52
As the incumbent delegate representing the Hill City, Wendell Walker is seeking re-election to continue advancing his platform of conservative governance, public safety and economic growth. A long-time Lynchburg business owner and former director of the Lynchburg Baptist Association, Walker has served in the House of Delegates since 2020.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Walker describes himself as pro-life and has consistently supported legislation that restricts abortion access in Virginia. Receiving endorsements from many pro-life advocacy groups, Walker has opposed measures to codify abortion rights in state law.
- Education: Walker supports curriculum transparency and parental involvement in Virginia schools, backing legislation increasing school choice and funding for charter schools. Additionally, he has emphasized the importance of protecting religious freedoms and “restoring traditional values” in education.
- Economy: Walker’s economic priorities include lowering taxes, reducing regulations and supporting Virginia’s small business community. He has advocated for fiscal responsibility in Richmond, opposing “unnecessary government spending.” Additionally, Walker supports energy independence policies that include continued investment in natural gas and opposition to renewable energy transitions.
- Public Safety: Walker has made public safety the central focus of his campaign, highlighting his support for law enforcement, tougher penalties for violent crimes and enhanced protections against online exploitation. During his time in the House of Delegates, he has sponsored or supported bills addressing human trafficking, internet safety and police recruitment.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: While not a focal point of his campaign, Walker has supported legislation aligning with Governor Youngkin’s policies on transgender student restrictions in schools. He has, additionally, opposed legislative efforts to expand nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Growing up in extreme poverty and experiencing homelessness, Risë Hayes says her upbringing fuels her commitment to working families in Lynchburg. Her campaign emphasizes education equity, tenant protections, workers’ rights and affordable housing. Hayes, who graduated from Liberty University in 2020, is running to bring a fresh perspective to the legislature.
On the issues:
- Reproductive Rights: Hayes supports enshrining reproductive rights in the Virginia Constitution and publicly affirms that all people should have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
- Education: Hayes has advocated for increased funding for public schools, support for teachers, inclusive classrooms and expanded access to vocational training and higher education opportunities.
- Economy: Recognizing the strain of rising living costs, Hayes aims to hold landlords accountable for safe and affordable housing, fight for fair wages and workers’ rights and address the impact of grocery, healthcare and transportation inflation on Lynchburg families.
- Public Safety: While not a focal point of her campaign, Hayes has highlighted the link between economic security and safe neighborhoods. She has emphasized the contribution to public safety that fair employment and housing stability offer.
- LGBTQ+ Issues: Publicly identifying as bisexual, Hayes is listed on the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund’s Candidate Roster and is endorsed by a number of LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations.
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Commonwealth’s Attorney
Bethany Harrison (R)
As the incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney, Bethany Harrison has prioritized her five-point commitment to Lynchburg residents during her tenure: working for families, prosecuting violent crime, providing experienced/conservative leadership, acting with professionalism and defending the Constitution to ensure fair treatment.
On the issues:
- Community Relationships: Emphasizing strong collaboration with other governmental agencies and non-profit organizations, Harrison notes that the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office depends on community partnerships.
- Crime Prevention: Harrison states that for violent or dangerous criminals, incarceration is necessary. For other offenders, she suggests that alternatives might be appropriate, but has not expanded on the idea.
- Ending the Cycle of Violence: Emphasizing intimate-partner violence as a major concern, Harrison highlights her experience prosecuting hundreds of such cases.
- Ending the Cycle of Addiction: Harrison has described addiction as a major challenge facing Lynchburg. She supports continued investment in drug courts and treatment-based approaches for offenders, recognizing that many of these crimes stem from substance abuse.
Chris White, a defense attorney, is campaigning on restorative justice initiatives and alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders. White has emphasized transparency, rehabilitation and reducing recidivism as the central themes of his campaign.
On the issues:
- Justice and Accountability: White, who argues that the Commonwealth Attorney’s role is to prosecute only genuine criminal conduct with clear evidence of a crime committed, has pledged to eliminate what he calls, “rubber-stamping” or “absurd conduct” within the prosecutor’s office.
- Ethics and Integrity: White believes that the office of Commonwealth Attorney should uphold the highest ethical standards of dignity, responsibility and transparency.
- Nonpartisanship: Running as an independent, White has publicly rejected partisan influence in the criminal justice system, maintaining that enforcing the law should be free from political ideology and rooted in fairness.
- Community Connection: Highlighting Lynchburg’s close-knit community, White argues that the office of Commonwealth Attorney should reflect the values of that community, such as accountability and fairness.
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Sheriff
Running unopposed, Donald Sloan is seeking re-election as Lynchburg’s Sheriff. Sloan, who has held the office since 2017, is focused on de-escalation training for deputies, mental health resources for inmates and maintaining jail safety and accountability.
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Commissioner of Revenue
Running unopposed for the third time, Mitchell Nuckles strives to ensure all taxes are assessed in a fair and equitable manner.
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Treasurer
Brian Tripplett emphasizes fiscal transparency, modern payment systems and strong customer service as main focal points in his campaign for Treasurer.
Brian Witt, who is the incumbent candidate and running as an independent, supports increasing government efficiency and expanding online access to payment and records systems in order to make the treasurer’s office more accessible to the public.
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Regardless of who you vote for on Tuesday, make sure you exercise your right as an active participant in a democracy. You have the power to make the changes you wish to see in this state and city.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Voting is open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m on that day. Remember to bring identification (driver’s license, passport, student ID, etc.)
If you are registered to vote at your school address, your polling place is Linkhorne Middle School.
For other polling locations and election information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections.
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A previous version of this article stated that Chris White, the candidate for Commonwealth Attorney, was a former prosecutor. The article was corrected as Christ White has never served as a prosecutor.