The 2021 Virginia elections were held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Republicans swept all three statewide races and won back control of the House of Delegates in an upset. Primary elections were held on June 8, 2021.[2] It was the first state gubernatorial and legislative election to be held since the passage of several voting rights bills into law by the Democratic trifecta in the 161st Virginia General Assembly, including expansions of early voting, designation of Election Day as a paid state holiday, legalization of automatic and same-day voter registration, the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, and repeal of Voter ID laws.
Incumbent Democratic governor Ralph Northam was unable to run for reelection, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits the officeholder from serving consecutive terms. Glenn Youngkin won the gubernatorial election against former governor Terry McAuliffe.
Incumbent lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax was eligible to run for a second term, but instead ran for governor, being defeated in the Democratic primary.[4] Though Fairfax won the last lieutenant governor race with almost 53% of the vote, Republican Winsome Sears won this election by almost two points, becoming the first woman, the first woman of color, and the first Jamaican American chosen for the post.
Incumbent attorney general Mark Herring ran for re-election to a third term. He was re-elected in 2017 with 53.3% of the vote. A primary challenge by delegate Jay Jones was supported by Governor Ralph Northam, as well as several federal and state legislators.[5] Jason Miyares was elected the first Cuban American and Hispanic Attorney General of Virginia.
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