STATEWIDE — Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe won Virginia’s Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 8.
The win will now allow McAuliffe to run for a second term as governor, which he previously served from 2014-2018.
McAuliffe outpolled his fellow four candidates, receiving 62% of the vote as 95% of Virginia precincts reported, followed by Jennifer Caroll Foy and Jennifer McClellan with 20% and 12% of the vote, respectively.
Lee Carter and Justin Fairfax received less than 5% of the vote.
The Commonwealth is one of two states that hold off-year elections for governor in the year after a presidential election.
Because of laws in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam is unable to seek reelection for a consecutive term. However, governors can serve non-consecutive terms.
McAuliffe will now face off against Republican and former Carlyle Group-executive Glenn Youngkin, who won the Virginia Republican Party state convention back in May, defeating six other candidates.
McAuliffe, who has been heavily campaigning against Youngkin, received endorsements from much of the state’s Democratic establishment, including incumbent Gov. Northam.
In his victory speech Tuesday night, McAuliffe focused on his plans for governor, promising Virginians thousands of new jobs, paid sick days and family medical leave in Virginia, a $15 minimum wage raise for every Virginian, and a guarantee of broadband access in every Virginian’s home in the next two years.
He also used his speech to go after Youngkin, criticizing the Republican nominee for his ties to former President Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as saying that he will destroy jobs for Virginia.
“We cannot let Glenn Youngkin do to Virginia what Donald Trump has done to our country,” McAuliffe said during his speech.
Also on Tuesday night, incumbent Mark Herring won the Democratic nomination for attorney general, while Del. Hala Ayala won the nomination for lieutenant governor.
McAuliffe will now face off against Youngkin in the general election on Nov. 2.
If McAuliffe wins in November, he will become Virginia’s second two-term governor since the Civil War.
CATCH UP ON MORE WYDAILY STORIES:
