2025 Virginia Election Results and Insights

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2025 Virginia Election Results and Insights

Posted on by Board of Trade

Here is a look at the 2025 Virginia election results following a historic Election Day in the Commonwealth, which will influence how the Greater Washington region’s business community engages with various opportunities and issues.

Virginia voters made history in the 2025 general election by electing Abigail Spanberger as the Commonwealth’s next governor, as she will be the first woman to hold the position in the state’s history. Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative, won the November 4 election against Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears by securing approximately 57 percent of the vote, with Earle-Sears receiving about 42 percent. Her inauguration will also mark the first time in the Commonwealth’s history that both the governor and lieutenant governor are women. 

In January 2025, the Board of Trade hosted Abigail Spanberger (then a candidate for Virginia governor) at our downtown Washington, D.C. offices for a policy discussion with business leaders from the region. During that event, she shared her vision for Virginia as a destination for work, living, and innovation, highlighting critical issues such as workforce development, transportation, and housing. She emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration, noting that improving infrastructure, broadband access, and regional connectivity in Northern Virginia, the D.C. region, and surrounding areas requires a shared approach. Her remarks also highlighted how the Greater Washington region can capitalize on its proximity to federal institutions, its educated workforce, and its established business base to boost competitiveness. This conversation underscored our shared interests in workforce readiness, infrastructure, and inclusive growth. 

In addition to the governor’s race, voters selected a new lieutenant governor and attorney general, with democrats winning both contests, resulting in a unified Democratic administration. In the lieutenant governor and attorney general races, voters selected Ghazala Hashmi as lieutenant governor and Jay Jones as attorney general. Hashmi’s election marked a milestone as she became the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in Virginia. Jay Jones prevailed over incumbent Jason Miyares, becoming the first African American attorney general in the history of Virginia.  

State officials have indicated that the formal certification of results will occur later in November, after which planning will begin for the inauguration ceremony in Richmond. The event, traditionally held on the second Saturday in January, will officially mark the start of the new four-year term. 

As the Board of Trade continues to engage with leaders across the region, we look forward to working constructively with the incoming administration in Virginia to deepen regional coordination, align policy and infrastructure priorities, and support the economic vitality of the Greater Washington region.  

Previous Election Guide Before Election

This 2025 Virginia Election Guide reflects the Board of Trade’s commitment to supporting a thriving Greater Washington, as we track statewide and local elections in Virginia to better understand how their outcomes may shape the business community.

The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election is underway with Election Day set for November 4, and early in-person voting has already begun. Because Virginia governors are barred by state law from serving consecutive terms, the current governor, Glenn Youngkin, cannot run again. Therefore, two major candidates are Abigail Spanberger, a former U.S. Representative, and Winsome Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. No matter who wins the general election, Virginia is set to elect a woman as governor for the first time this fall. 

For lieutenant governor, voters will decide between Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and Republican John Reid. Additionally, Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares is seeking reelection and is facing Democratic challenger Jay Jones, an attorney and former state delegate. 

All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot this year in Virginia. Democrats held a 51-49 majority heading into this year’s election. You can find your House district here and a list of candidates running for the House of Delegates listed here: Virginia Dept. of Elections: November 4, 2025 Gen Elect House of Del/ 

Most jurisdictions in Virginia have local races of some sort, whether they are contests for mayor, county board, school board, city council or sheriff. Check the full list of local races on the Virginia Department of Elections website to learn more. 

Key Dates Include:  

  • Friday, Oct. 24: Last day to register or update your address to vote a regular ballot for this election AND last day to request that a ballot be mailed to you. Click here to check your registration. 
  • Voters may register in person after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot 
  • Saturday, Oct. 25: Local voter registration offices open for in-person voting 
  • Saturday, Nov. 1: Last day to vote early in-person at your local voter registration office 
  • Tuesday, Nov. 4: Election Day. Vote at your polling place. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

More about the Greater Washington Board of Trade:

The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan business organization representing industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. The Board of Trade addresses complex and always-evolving business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on inclusive economic growth, improving the business climate, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness. Learn more about the Board of Trade and its mission at www.boardoftrade.org. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SIGNATURE EVENT

This 2025 Virginia Elections Guide will continue to be updated as we get closer to November 4th and stay engaged with the Board of Trade after Election Day to learn more about policy implications. 

Testimony: Board of Trade supports DMVMoves Task Force recommendations to secure sustainable funding for regional transit

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About this Testimony: 

Jack McDougle, President & CEO of the Board of Trade, speaking as Chair of the Community Partners Advisory Group, delivered strong support for the DMVMoves Task Force’s draft recommendations to secure sustainable funding and regional coordination for transit across the Greater Washington area. New capital funding would generate $460 million annually in dedicated, bondable capital for Metro beginning FY2028, addressing long-standing funding gaps to keep the system safe and modern. Furthering modernization and financial stability for Metro is important for growing our economy and workforce to meet the future needs of this region.

Video of Testimony: 

Written Testimony Submitted: 

Dear members of the DMVMoves Task Force, 

Thank you for your leadership and tremendous work that has gone into this process. I’d also like to thank my fellow advisory committee chair, Bryan Hill; the members of both advisory committees; and Clark Mercer and his team at COG, especially Kanti and Monica—for guiding this effort. And thank you as well to Nick Donohue for his thoughtful leadership, technical expertise, and steady facilitation. 

I want to recognize WMATA — General Manager Randy Clarke, his leadership team, and especially Tom Webster — for their responsiveness and for the significant progress they have delivered. Being named APTA’s Transit Agency of the Year reflects real improvement in safety, reliability, and customer experience. Without that progress, we would be having a very different conversation today. 

I’m Jack McDougle, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and it’s been a privilege to chair the Community Partners Advisory Group. Our committee brought together business, labor, community advocates, and nonprofit leaders. We debated tough issues, and while we didn’t agree on every priority, we reached meaningful consensus around the need for integrated, reliable, and sustainably funded transit across the region. 

This effort is especially urgent as the federal government restructures and disruptive technologies accelerate. Our region must be able to compete for talent, investment, and innovation in a rapidly changing economy. 

If we can’t move people, we can’t move opportunity. That’s why the recommendations before you matter. They provide $460 million per year in new, bondable capital beginning in FY2028—growing three percent annually—to keep Metro safe, modern, and efficient. Securing durable, dedicated capital funding is something this region has struggled to achieve for decades, and reaching consensus on this framework is a milestone worth celebrating. 

The recommendations also set a path to align our 14 transit providers into a seamless regional network—fare policies, service guidelines, training, and priority investments. That’s how we move from a collection of systems to a coordinated platform that supports riders and drives economic growth. 

We’ve heard thoughtful feedback urging us to go further. Continued work on dedicated operating funding, stronger bus-priority implementation, accountability for delivery, workforce transition strategies, and regional studies of tools like congestion pricing and land value capture are all important next-phase conversations. Nothing in these recommendations precludes that work. In fact, they create the structure required to do it responsibly. 

But we must act now. The upcoming legislative sessions present a narrow window to secure long-term stability. If we allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good, we risk losing momentum, weakening public confidence, and slowing economic recovery. Not supporting these recommendations would take us a step backward and push us farther from the work many want to pursue next. 

From the business community’s perspective, this is about competitiveness and quality of life. Metro and our local transit systems support over $25 billion in annual economic activity, connect nearly a million daily trips, and underpin our ability to attract and retain talent and capital. Failing to act would cost far more—in congestion, lost productivity, and diminished trust in our region’s future. 

This plan is not the end of the journey; it is a beginning. We strongly support continuing a community advisory body as COG leads this next phase, with clear milestones, transparent reporting, and regional accountability. That is how we convert recommendations into results. 

Greater Washington has the assets, the talent, and the vision. Now we need the resolve. Let’s move forward together—because when our region moves, our economy moves, and our people thrive. 

Thank you, 

Jack McDougle 

President & CEO 

Greater Washington Board of Trade 

Board of Trade Addresses ‘Workplace of Tomorrow’ at GW Business & Policy Forum

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The Board of Trade joined regional leaders and MBA students at George Washington University’s Business & Policy Forum on October 22 to explore how innovation and policy are shaping the workplace of tomorrow and the region’s economic future.

The George Washington University School of Business reconvened its third annual Business & Policy Forum, “The Future of Work is Now,” to explore the opportunities and implications the future of work holds for technology, organizations, employees, and policymakers. Additional topics ranged from adapting and thriving in the workplace of tomorrow to sustainability and social impact.

Our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, joined fellow panelists to discuss the future of workforce and technology, sharing insights on how our region can adapt, invest, and lead in a rapidly changing economy. Jack outlined the strengths of the Greater Washington region: a highly educated workforce, deep federal roots, and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that now ranks fifth nationally in venture capital investment. Yet, he warned that the same proximity to government that fuels stability can also breed risk aversion. For the region to fully leverage its advantages, both the public and private sectors must embrace a mindset of experimentation.

He pointed to Washington, D.C.’s delayed legislation on autonomous vehicles, noting how it has affected investment from Waymo and other innovators in the field—highlighting the region’s technical strength but cautious regulatory pace. “If we want to position ourselves as a global hub for innovation,” he said, “we need to demonstrate that we are willing to take on innovative technologies.”

The panel holistically closed with a reminder that, despite the promises of technology, progress depends on people’s willingness to adapt and challenge the status quo, underscoring the urgent need for cultural and institutional agility as the region prepares for the next wave of economic change. And that forward-thinking companies and organizations must be willing to experiment, collaborate, and rethink the traditional definition of workforce to best be equipped to thrive in the future.

We also heard from George Washington University President, Ellen Granberg, about how the university is helping grow opportunities and engage the community.

Forum attendees not only heard from several of the most influential figures in the future of work, but also enjoyed a premier networking opportunity to engage with key players, discover the innovations shifting business landscapes, and learn to adapt to changing work environments.

Thank you to The George Washington University and The George Washington University School of Business for helping grow Greater Washington! Events like this highlight the power of collaboration across business, government, and education to strengthen our region’s competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Learn more about where the Board of Trade is positioned on certain policy and legislation efforts in our region: https://bit.ly/4qu3Odh

Executive Leadership Roundtable Recap: What Regional Leaders Are Watching

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When conditions feel wobbly underfoot, the horizon matters most. Near-term signals can shake; what counts is the broader trajectory—and how leaders adapt. To compare notes on shifting conditions in the region, senior executives met on October 17 at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Field’s Washington, D.C., office for a candid Executive Leadership Roundtable with Tom Barkin, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The value came from leaders comparing notes in real time, connecting front-line experience with broader economic context.

Several recurring trends emerged

People & Demand

Hiring remains muted but stable—a low-hire/low-fire posture with attrition doing most of the work. Candidate availability has improved across many roles, but skilled trades, childcare, and eldercare remain tight. On the demand side, consumers are choosier and value-seeking, trading down (e.g., private label; repair vs. replace), with meaningful variability by sector.

Productivity & Operating Models

To protect margins, many firms are leaning into process redesign, automation, and practical AI—especially in support workflows (documentation, collections, customer contact). In practice, these moves often substitute for incremental hiring while leaders monitor service quality and outcomes.

Systems & Infrastructure

Capital planning assumes multiple interest-rate paths rather than a single trajectory. Supply chains continue to localize (“local-for-local”) where feasible as trade policy evolves. Meanwhile, accelerating demand from AI/data centers is colliding with long lead times for generation and transmission—raising near-term questions about power readiness. In commercial real estate, office softness (particularly B/C space in large cores) contrasts with relative strength in industrial, logistics, and data-center assets; the DMV feels the office adjustment more acutely than many markets.

Why it matters

The throughline wasn’t a single indicator; it was operating adaptation. Old playbooks map poorly to today’s pace and complexity. What’s working now: diversified talent strategies, productivity investments (including practical AI), financial flexibility, and regional alignment on housing and transportation to keep our talent advantage.

What leaders are watching next

  • Labor fit: Will skills pipelines (training, credentials, migration) keep pace with role requirements?
  • Cost pass-through vs. productivity: Can process/tech gains continue to offset input costs without eroding service?
  • Grid readiness: How quickly can generation/transmission investments meet data-center demand without bottlenecks?

The Board of Trade will continue convening executive-level dialogues that surface timely insights and connect them to practical action for our region.

​​Thank you to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Field for partnering on this vital discussion that engages our members and partners in the region.

Coffee & Conversation Recap: Confronting Hunger and Economic Insecurity in Greater Washington

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October’s Coffee & Conversation featured leaders from the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB), who shared key findings from their 2025 Hunger Report – a sobering look at how economic pressures, wage stagnation, and federal workforce transitions are shaping food insecurity across the region. 

According to CAFB’s research with NORC at the University of Chicago, 36% of households in the DMV are food insecure, a rate that has remained elevated for two consecutive years. County rates range from 22% in Arlington to 49% in Prince George’s County, underscoring how widespread and persistent this challenge has become. The report points to deepening strain on working families as inflation outpaces wages and pandemic-era support expires. 

“We see families borrowing against their futures to meet today’s basic needs,” said CAFB President & CEO Radha Muthiah. “People are skipping savings, taking on credit-card debt, and even withdrawing from retirement accounts just to put food on the table.” 

Many food-insecure households include employed adults – teachers, healthcare workers, and public servants – earning too little to meet the region’s $140,000 living-wage threshold for a family of four. The conversation highlighted that solving hunger isn’t simply about distributing more food – it’s about strengthening the systems that enable financial stability. 

CAFB leaders shared examples of innovative partnerships that bundle food assistance with healthcare and workforce training, including Food Is Medicine programs with area hospitals and grocery-card stipends for college students pursuing credentials in high-demand fields. These integrated approaches aim to improve both individual well-being and regional productivity. 

Board of Trade President & CEO Jack McDougle closed by underscoring the economic stakes: 

“Food insecurity isn’t just a social issue; it’s an economic one. If we want Greater Washington to reach its full potential, we need to connect more people to opportunity and stability.” 

 

What the Business Community Can Do 

The conversation turned to practical steps the private sector can take to help reverse these trends: 

  • Advocate and support efforts that protect access to nutrition and healthcare programs like SNAP and school meals, which help working families stay afloat. 
  • Promote “Food Is Medicine” partnerships by engaging with healthcare systems and nonprofits to strengthen community health and workforce resilience. 
  • Invest in upskilling and talent pathways—collaborate with colleges and training providers to recruit, mentor, and support individuals moving into living-wage careers. 

By working together across sectors, employers can help address the root causes of hunger while building a healthier, more productive regional economy. 

Read the full 2025 Hunger Report: Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report 2025 

About Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation brings Board of Trade members together for interactive, member-led discussions on timely topics shaping Greater Washington. Each session features a concise expert briefing, open dialogue, and time for coffee and networking – offering valuable insights, peer exchange, and meaningful professional connections.

Visit boardoftrade.org/events for more programming.

​​Thank you to the Capital Area Food Bank for partnering on this vital discussion that engages our members and partners in the region.

GWBOT October 2025 Newsletter

Posted on by Board of Trade

The Board of Trade remains focused on advancing the priorities that matter most to Greater Washington. This October newsletter shows a variety of engagements we have had across Greater Washington with members and public officials, while also showcasing meaningful updates on priorities we are following in the region. We also have a variety of member news updates that showcase regional collaboration!

Read our October 2025 Newsletter here

Voices from the Table: September Insights

Posted on by Board of Trade

When leaders in Greater Washington gather around a table, bonds form and conversations deepen. At the Board of Trade’s weekly Executive Meals, those connections become catalysts — helping executives see challenges differently, surface new opportunities, and drive change for the Capital Region. 

A Region in Transition 

September’s conversations reflected both the pressures and possibilities of this moment. Leaders acknowledged workforce stress, the pace of technological change, and cultural polarization. Yet the dialogue pointed less to obstacles and more to strengths — adaptability, optimism, and collaboration. 

Board of Trade President & CEO, Jack McDougle, emphasized that the Capital Region is not defined by its federal footprint. With only one-fifth of jobs tied directly to government, our future depends on how we cultivate talent, embrace innovation, and invest in infrastructure. 

Leadership tone also stood out as a competitive asset. Calm, integrity, and optimism aren’t just virtues — they shape how organizations, and the region as a whole, navigate turbulence. 

Executives also highlighted the foundations needed to scale a digital economy: reliable energy, cybersecurity, and modern infrastructure. Federal spending tied to industrial policy and technology adoption creates clear opportunities for regional firms and talent. But seizing these gains must be balanced with protecting nonprofits, universities, and services that risk being left behind. 

Food for Thought 

These conversations didn’t aim for answers, but for sharper questions. Among those, the region must keep asking: 

  • How can we unlock adaptability by aligning talent, innovation, and infrastructure? 
  • What does optimism in leadership look like when uncertainty surrounds us? 
  • How do we turn AI into an engine for both opportunity and responsibility? 
  • What bold steps would move the Capital Region from fragmented to united? 
  • How do we capture the upside of federal investment in energy and technology while protecting the nonprofits and services our communities rely on? 

Looking Ahead 

The Capital Region’s competitiveness will not be defined by uncertainty, but by how we adapt together. The Board of Trade will continue convening these conversations, ensuring that executive voices shape not only individual strategies but the collective future of our region together. 

Statement on a Potential Federal Government Shutdown

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Below is a statement from our President & CEO, Jack McDougle, on the potential federal government shutdown. The shutdown would significantly impact families, communities, and businesses in the Greater Washington region. 

Statement:

“A federal government shutdown would be damaging, especially now. It would hit contractors, small businesses, and service providers first and ripple through paychecks and operations across hospitality, public safety, healthcare, transportation, research, housing, and retail, undercutting confidence and slowing the region’s momentum at a critical time.

The federal enterprise must modernize to compete in a changing global economy: digitize services and operations, streamline procurement, right-size facilities and programs, and strengthen accountability and outcomes. But shutting the government down is not reform. It is costly, avoidable, and counterproductive.

Any continuing resolution is only a stopgap. Differences should be resolved in advance through regular order and timely appropriations, not brinkmanship. Congress and the Administration must finalize a bipartisan funding agreement now to give employers and families the predictability they need, then pursue negotiations through a normal, transparent budget process that improves outcomes without risking paychecks or public services.”

Jack McDougle, President & CEO

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About the Greater Washington Board of Trade

The Greater Washington Board of Trade, founded in 1889, is the region’s premier non-partisan business organization representing industry, nonprofits, universities, and government agencies. The Board of Trade addresses complex and always-evolving business concerns that stretch across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, with a priority focus on inclusive economic growth, improving the business climate, and enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness. Learn more about the Board of Trade and its mission at www.boardoftrade.org.

More from the Greater Washington Board of Trade: 

Check out our latest Newsletter sharing regional business news in our region: https://bit.ly/4n9inkc

Check out our latest Legislative Update sharing polices and pieces of legislation impacting our region: https://bit.ly/4mJcZ75

Shaping the Future: Recap of the Fall 2025 Board of Directors Meeting

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The Greater Washington Board of Trade’s Fall Board Meeting – generously hosted by board member Ian Jefferson and the team at McKinsey & Company – brought together leaders from across the region to focus on two priorities shaping Greater Washington’s future: delivering collaborative progress and shaping a stronger regional identity. 

Collaborative Progress in Action 

Energy in the room was high as members discussed how cross-sector collaboration is moving the region forward. 

Key highlights included: 

  • DMV Moves: advancing a dedicated funding strategy to ensure reliable, sustainable transit for the region. 
  • DMV Monitor: a newly launched regional platform that now provides a unified, trusted set of data across jurisdictions to guide policy and investment. 
  • Talent Capital: launching October 1, designed to make it easier for people in the National Capital Region to connect with jobs, training, coaching, events, and entrepreneurial resources – a platform built here, for this region, to support both workers and employers. 

Together, these initiatives reflect the power of aligned leadership and collective action to tackle complex challenges. 

Photo Sep 17 2025, 12 51 13 PM

Reimagining Our Regional Identity 

A second focus of the meeting was the region’s narrative – how we define Greater Washington and the impact that story has on our competitiveness. 

In partnership with APCO Worldwide – with special thanks to board member Evan Kraus and his talented team – board members took part in an interactive branding exercise building on this year’s conversations about positioning Greater Washington as more than a government town: a place where talent, culture, innovation, and opportunity converge. 

While participants explored ideas like Capitalize Your Future and Move With Us as ways to capture the region’s strengths, Jack McDougle emphasized that the real takeaway isn’t about picking a slogan – it’s about leaders across sectors speaking with a united, confident voice about Greater Washington so that, over time, this shared narrative strengthens our identity and attracts more talent, investment, and innovation. 

Looking Ahead 

The meeting closed with a shared understanding: building a stronger regional identity takes time, resources, and collective leadership – but it’s already underway.

From funding transit and unifying data to shaping the narrative that defines Greater Washington, the Board of Trade will continue to convene, lead, advocate, and innovate to keep the region competitive. 

Together, we are laying the groundwork for Greater Washington to be recognized not only as the nation’s capital but as a region of opportunity – where talent, culture, and innovation drive long-term growth. 

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