Democrats and Republicans are testing dueling playbooks in fall elections that will decide the leadership of Virginia and New Jersey — and perhaps a new direction for the parties heading into next year’s midterms.

Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears stopped in the Roanoke Valley on Saturday as part of her campaign to be Virginia’s next governor.

Roanoke College released a poll on Aug. 19 that asked likely Virginian voters multiple questions regarding their opinions on candidates, who they would vote for, if they feel the country is on the right path, among others.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears says she's running her campaign for Virginia governor like a military-style operation. And at this point, a few months away from the November election, it's looking like a campaign on the defensive. The lieutenant governor is facing a Democratic Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman who has more campaign money and a unified party behind her. Earle-Sears has replaced a pastor with little political experience who had been her campaign manager. And her team has failed to gain traction with big money donors. An Earle-Sears victory would make her the first Black woman in U.S. history to serve as a governor.

Democrats are out of power in Washington but hold 23 governors' seats, including in five of the seven presidential battlegrounds Donald Trump swept last year.

A Danville City Councilman was injured Wednesday morning after being set on fire in an assault outside his workplace, according to the Danville Police Department.

The latest VCU Wilder School Commonwealth Poll shows Democratic candidates with a commanding lead in the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election.

Democrats in Virginia have built up a big fundraising advantage in this year's race for governor. It's an election seen as a bellwether for the 2026 midterms. The Democratic nominee is Abigail Spanberger, a congresswoman who is a former CIA case officer. She has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising edge over the Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Virginia and New Jersey are the two states with statewide elections this year. The Democrats’ fundraising lead may reflect Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push voters to the polls.

Democrats have spent the early months of Donald Trump's second presidency trying to find the right messages and messengers to counter an aggressive administration.

Virginia state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi has won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Virginia Democrats will settle a crowded six-way primary for lieutenant governor on Tuesday as well as a contested nomination fight for state attorney general.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger often campaigns in rural Virginia districts that President Donald Trump won by large margins. In the general election to be Virginia's next governor, she is competing for voters in places where Democrats have struggled in recent elections. Spanberger’s efforts to gain ground in ruby-red parts of Virginia come as Democrats have nationally shown more interest in small-town America. The terrain may be new for Democrats nationally but it's familiar ground for Spanberger. She hopes to benefit from growing concern about the impact of Trump's policies on rural areas.

Roanoke College released a poll on Aug. 2 that asked likely Virginian voters multiple questions regarding their opinions on candidates, who they would vote for, if they feel the country is on the right path, among others.

Joe Biden’s time in public office is now behind him, but his age and mental acuity have become a litmus test for the next leaders in his party.

Virginia Democrats are vying to shield their statehouse majority while flipping the governor’s mansion in November, and new reports show they have a cash advantage in those races against Republicans.

The two nominees for the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial election are now set. Current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was confirmed as the Republican nominee on Saturday, the Virginia GOP X account confirmed.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has secured the Democratic nomination to serve as Virginia’s 75th Governor.

The Trump administration’s aggressive push to cut government jobs is reverberating in the early stages of this year’s race for governor in Virginia. The fast-moving effort by Republican President Donald Trump to overhaul the federal workforce could have a sweeping impact in the state, home to some 145,000 federal employees and many more government contractors. Virginia, which along with New Jersey is picking a new governor in 2025, is already regarded as something of an early indicator of voter attitudes between presidential elections. The leading contenders in the governor's race are a former Democratic congresswoman, Abigail Spanberger, and the Republican lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears. The primaries are in June.

Democratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are picking up steam in their bids to be Virginia's next governor.

While one election just ended, Virginians aren’t too far out from our 2025 state elections, including the governor’s race.

With the inauguration of President Trump around the corner, we Virginians aren’t too far out from our 2025 gubernatorial race; in fact, primaries are set to be held this June. So, where is the race currently at?

Virginia’s three special elections this week garnered national attention as Democrats protected their slim statehouse majority by winning two left-leaning districts.

The House is expected to try next week to pass a Social Security-related bill to ensure benefits for workers who are also eligible for other pensions.

After a tumultuous and unproductive session of Congress, nearly 50 House members have decided either to not seek reelection or to run for a higher office.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current Mayor of Richmond, Levar Stoney made a campaign stop in Roanoke ahead of the election in 2025.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current US Representative, Abigail Spanberger made a campaign stop in Roanoke.

Republicans are responding to Democratic Virginia congresswoman Abigail Spanberger's announcement she'll run for governor in 2025.

Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has decided against a bid for governor in 2025 and will instead run next year to represent the competitive northern Virginia congressional seat being vacated by a fellow Democratic lawmaker.

One of the newest members of the House Intelligence Committee was herself once an officer running spies for the CIA.

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney has crossed the political aisle again this election year and endorsed a Democratic colleague in a competitive House race.

A GOP sweep of Virginia’s 2021 statewide elections has helped energize the Republican field in two of the country’s most competitive U.S. House races.

The public hearings of the House committee investigating the insurrection pose a challenge to Democrats seeking to maintain narrow control of Congress.

Proposals to ban stock trading by lawmakers are gaining ground in Congress and on the campaign trail.

An Associated Press review finds that state and local governments have spent nearly $1 billion worth of federal coronavirus aid on projects that have little to do with combating the pandemic.

President Joe Biden is trying to jump-start progress on his stalled domestic agenda by refocusing attention on one of his most popular proposals, limiting the cost of prescription drugs.

The Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, which would help doctors, nurses, and aids, has been passed by the House of Representatives.

Draft maps for new congressional districts in Virginia would provide Democrats a strong chance to win a majority of the state's 11 seats, but they also draw Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger out of her Richmond-area district.

Congressional Democrats have set out to pass ambitious bills with historic expansions of the social safety net and long-sought new programs.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration has received notification that the Department of Defense has authorized the use of Marine Corps Base Quantico to house Afghan refugees, as well as a national guard installation in central Virginia.

Democrats have a sales job of their own this summer.

ROANOKE, Va. – Virginia and most other states are falling short on ensuring equitable vaccine coverage for many communities that may need protection against COVID-19 the most, a new CDC analysis indicates. Absolutely,” commented Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District Director Dr. Cynthia Morrow. AdThe data comes as the United States is expected to hit 100 million vaccine doses administered as early as next week. In Southwest Virginia, health district leaders say their rollout has been smooth and has served a diverse group of residents. “I absolutely believe that long after the pandemic we are going to be addressing health inequity and means to achieve health equity,” said Dr. Morrow.

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)WASHINGTON – Congress passed a $900 billion pandemic relief package Monday night that would finally deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals and resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The bill goes to President Donald Trump for his signature, which is expected in the coming days. The relief package, unveiled Monday afternoon, sped through the House and Senate in a matter of hours. The bill combines coronavirus-fighting funds with financial relief for individuals and businesses. Democrats and Senate Republicans prevailed in a bid to use bookkeeping maneuvers to squeeze $12.5 billion more for domestic programs into the legislation.