$5 million investment reveals Democrats feel bullish about pulling off a trifecta in Virginia [View all]

A national group focused on electing Democrats to state legislatures is pouring more than $5 million into Virginia House races this November, according to plans shared first with POLITICO.

The extra cash, which marks the largest investment from The States Project this cycle, comes as Virginia Democrats are feeling confident about their ability to obtain a governing trifecta. They believe they can expand their narrow one-seat majority in the House and flip the governorship. Their candidate at the top of the ticket, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, has held a wide lead in the race for months. Democrats also control the state Senate by a single seat, which is not up this cycle.

The group argues that a Democratic-controlled Legislature could provide a bulwark against the policies pushed by the Republican administration. Democrats in the state House said they would pass a trio of constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion rights, reproductive access and marriage equality if they maintain a majority. Those proposed additions to the state constitution passed both chambers this year — and need to be approved again next year before appearing on statewide ballots in 2026.

State Democrats think districts with large numbers of federal employees are particularly strong targets in a state that has suffered economic impacts from spending cuts and tariff policies President Donald Trump put in place. They also cite strong recruitment as evidence of enthusiasm — the party is running candidates in each of the 100 districts in the state for the first time in recent history.


https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/09/virginia-democrats-states-project-legislature-00598429