Primary Night: Virginia is for Livebloggers: The fields for both of 2021’s gubernatorial elections will be set Tuesday when primary voters go to the polls in Virginia and New Jersey, and we’ll be liveblogging the results! Our live coverage will begin at 7 PM ET Tuesday night at Daily Kos Elections when the polls close in Virginia, while New Jersey will follow an hour later. You can also follow us on Twitter for blow-by-blow updates.
Virginia Republicans used a convention last month to choose nominees for the Old Dominion’s three statewide offices, all of which are currently held by Democrats, and Team Blue will now be picking their contenders through a traditional state-run primary Tuesday. In Virginia, just like New Jersey, it takes just a plurality to win the primary.
The race for governor pits Terry McAuliffe against four intra-party rivals, but the few polls we’ve seen show the former governor with a huge lead. McAuliffe has also enjoyed a massive spending advantage, though former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy has also invested a serious amount of money on TV and radio messaging.
Things are far more unsettled in the six-way primary for lieutenant governor, a job that carries with it the important tie-breaking vote in the state Senate. Gov. Ralph Northam is supporting Del. Hala Ayala, while fellow Del. Sam Rasoul has enjoyed a big fundraising edge over the rest of the field. The contest also includes Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan; Del. Mark Levine; Fairfax County NAACP President Sean Perryman; and businessman Xavier Warren.
The race for attorney general pits Mark Herring, who is the only statewide incumbent seeking re-election, against Del. Jay Jones. Jones, who has Northam’s endorsement, has spent a comparable amount of money on ads as Herring and his allies at the Democratic Attorneys General Association. However, a recent survey from Roanoke College found Herring with a huge 50-20 lead.
Over in New Jersey, Republicans are the ones holding a primary for the right to take on Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. Former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, who lost the nomination four years ago, has the backing of the state's powerful county party leaders, and it would be a surprise if he fell short this time. However, a late May survey from Public Policy Polling for the Democratic Governors Association found the ostensible frontrunner leading perennial candidate Hirsh Singh just 29-23. The winner will begin the general election as the clear underdog in this blue state.
Tuesday will be an eventful night, and we hope you’ll join us at Daily Kos Elections and on Twitter starting at 7 PM ET!