The 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2017, to elect the next governor of Virginia. The election was held concurrently with other elections for Virginia's statewide offices, the House of Delegates, and other United States' offices. Incumbent Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe was ineligible to run for re-election, as the Constitution of Virginia prohibits its governors from serving consecutive terms. McAuliffe later unsuccessfully ran for a second non-consecutive term in the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election.
Primary elections took place on June 13, 2017. Virginia utilizes an open primary, in which registered voters are allowed to vote in either party's primary election. Democrats nominated incumbent lieutenant governor Ralph Northam and Republicans nominated former RNC Chair Ed Gillespie. The Libertarian Party nominated Clifford Hyra by convention on May 6, 2017.
In the general election on November 7, 2017, Democrat Ralph Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie by 8.92% points — the largest gubernatorial margin for Democrats since 1985, though this record would be broken 8 years later when Abigail Spanberger won by 15.36% points in 2025.
The election had the highest voter turnout percentage in the state's gubernatorial history since 1997 with 47.6% of registered voters casting their ballot. At the time, both Northam and Gillespie set records for most votes received by a Virginia gubernatorial candidate though both records would be broken in 2021. Chesterfield County voted Democratic for the first time since 1961. Northam assumed office as the 73rd governor of Virginia on January 13, 2018.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ralph Northam, lieutenant governor of Virginia
Eliminated in primary Tom Perriello, former U.S. representative
Declined Gerry Connolly, U.S. representative Mark Herring, attorney general of Virginia (running for re-election) Brian Moran, Virginia secretary of public safety, former state delegate and candidate for governor in 2009
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror RalphNortham TomPerriello Other UndecidedChange ResearchChange Research June 8–10, 2017 919 ± 3.1% 46% 54% — —Hampton University June 1–6, 2017 750 ± 4.2% 21% 29% — 50%HaystaqDNA (D-Perriello)HaystaqDNA (D-Perriello) June 1–6, 2017 455 — 36% 37% — 29%Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Northam)Garin-Hart-Yang (D-Northam) May 15–17, 2017 601 ± 4.0% 50% 33% — 17%Washington Post-Schar SchoolWashington Post-Schar School May 9–14, 2017 351 ± 6.0% 38% 40% — 18%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) May 9–10, 2017 745 ± 3.6% 45% 35% — 21%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) April 13–14, 2017 586 ± 4.1% 42% 28% — 30%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University April 6–10, 2017 483 ± 4.5%20%25%1%51%Christopher Newport UniversityChristopher Newport University March 16–26, 2017 391 ± 5.4%26%26%3%45%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University February 10–15, 2017 462 ± 4.6% 19% 19% 3% 61%Christopher Newport UniversityChristopher Newport University January 15–28, 2017 464 ± 4.8% 15% 26% 1% 58%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkHerring RalphNortham Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 13–15, 2015 409 ± 4.9% 33% 9% — 58%
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the Republican National Committee; nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2014
Eliminated in primary Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2013 Frank Wagner, state senator
Failed to qualify Emmanuel Peter, bishop
Withdrew Denver Riggleman, businessman Rob Wittman, U.S. representative
Declined Bill Bolling, former lieutenant governor of Virginia Eric Cantor, former majority leader of the United States House of Representatives Ken Cuccinelli, former attorney general of Virginia; nominee for governor in 2013 Randy Forbes, former U.S. representative Tom Garrett Jr., U.S. representative Shak Hill, financial consultant and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 Jeff McWaters, former state senator Mark Obenshain, state senator; nominee for attorney general in 2013 Pete Snyder, technology executive and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2013
Endorsements
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror EdGillespie CoreyStewart FrankWagner RobWittman Other UndecidedChange ResearchChange ResearchJune 8–10, 2017919 ± 3.1%41%42%16%———Washington Post-Schar SchoolWashington Post-Schar SchoolMay 9–14, 2017264± 7.0%38%18%15%——24%Quinnipiac UniversityApril 6–10, 2017435± 4.7%28%12%7%—2%51%Christopher Newport UniversityMarch 16–26, 2017349± 5.7%38%11%10%—3%38%Quinnipiac University February 10–15, 2017 419 ± 4.8% 24% 7% 2% — 6% 59%Christopher Newport University January 15–28, 2017 418 ± 5.0% 33% 7% 9% — 3% 48%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University December 6–11, 2016 451 ± 4.6% 24% 4% 4% 10% — 57%Public Opinion StrategiesPublic Opinion Strategies September 18–21, 2016 800 ± 3.5% 38% 5% 4% 12% — 40%Public Policy Polling (D)Public Policy Polling (D) June 13–15, 2016 1,032 ± 3.1% 29% 13% — 16% — 41%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillBolling EricCantor KenCuccinelli EdGillespie MarkObenshain PeteSnyder UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 13–15, 2015 502 4.4% 8% 16% 37% 8% 7% 1% 23%
Results
Libertarian convention Candidates Nominee
Cliff Hyra, attorney
Withdrawn Jason Carrier
General election The race had been closely watched by national observers. For Republicans, National Review wrote that Gillespie's campaign was an important example of whether and how mainstream Republican politics can produce victories in a purple state in the "era of Trumpism" and said that the outcome would affect Republican strategies in future races. Many Democrats believed that the election was a test of whether the party could find its way after losing the 2016 presidential election and several subsequent special elections.DNC Desperately Needs a Win in Virginia Governor Race (NBC) NBC News reported that Northam was the "hand-picked" choice of outgoing governor Terry McAuliffe, and that McAuliffe's legacy and potential 2020 presidential aspirations depended on Northam winning the election.
Debates After the primaries, Gillespie challenged Northam to ten debates, but only three were held.Gillespie calls for 10 debates with Northam in Virginia governor's race (Richmond Times-Dispatch) The first debate was hosted by the Virginia Bar Association on July 22 in Hot Springs, Virginia.In first debate, Gillespie and Northam tangle over Trump and other issues The Washington Post The second was held on September 19, hosted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and televised statewide by NBC-affiliated TV stations.Five key moments from Virginia's first televised gubernatorial debate The Washington Post The third and final debate was held on October 9 at University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, Virginia.Virginia governor candidates trade blows in final debate (Politico)
Dates Location Northam Gillespie LinkSeptember 19, 2017Tysons, VirginiaParticipantParticipant Full debate - C-SPANOctober 9, 2017Wise, VirginiaParticipantParticipant Full debate - C-SPAN
Endorsements
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report October 6, 2017 Rothenberg Political Report October 27, 2017 Sabato's Crystal Ball October 13, 2017
Polling Polls for the general election varied significantly, ranging from a 17-point lead for Ralph Northam on one end to an 8-point lead for Ed Gillespie on the other, with most polls showing the race within or close to the margin of error. Politico reported that the wide variation in polling numbers was likely due to differences in methodology among the polls.Polling techniques may account for erratic predictions in Virginia (Politico) Polls tightened significantly in the last two weeks of the campaign with several showing the race tied or within the margin of error.A week before Election Day, new poll finds tightening race for Va. governor The Washington PostThe Takeaway: N.J., Va. Races Near the Finish Line (RealClearPolitics)Poll shows Virginia governor's race tied (The Hill)
Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated RalphNortham (D) EdGillespie (R) Other/UndecidedMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsOctober 29 – November 5, 2017November 5, 201747.7%44.4%7.9%Northam +3.3%