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Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election

Filing deadline: March 30, 2017

Primary date: June 13, 2017

General election date: November 7, 2017

Winner: Justin Fairfax (D)

Incumbent prior to election: Ralph Northam (D)

''Sic semper tyrannis''

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Virginia held an election for lieutenant governor on November 7, 2017. The primary election was held on June 13, 2017. The winner of this race was Justin Fairfax (D). Click here to view vote totals for this election.

Overview[edit]

At the time of the 2017 election,Virginia had had a divided government since Governor Terry McAuliffe was elected in 2013, ending a two-year Republican trifecta. The office of lieutenant governor in Virginia has been largely controlled by Democrats since the office was created in 1850. The last Republican to hold the seat was William T. Bolling, who served from 2006 until 2014. Because the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia has the ability to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Virginia State Senate, the incoming lieutenant governor could determine the state's trifecta status in the event of an even partisan split in the Senate.

Candidates[edit]

Justin Fairfax

State Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel

Virginia Lieutenant Gubernatorial Election, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Justin Fairfax	52.70%	1,362,080
	Republican	Jill Holtzman Vogel	47.30%	1,222,434
Total Votes (2566/2566 precincts reporting)				2,584,514
Source: The New York Times, "Live Election Results: Virginia," November 7, 2017

Context of the 2017 election[edit]

Endorsements[edit]

Justin Fairfax[edit]

• Rep. Donald McEachin
• Rep. Gerry Connolly
• State Sen. Chap Petersen
• Del. Marcia Price
• Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea
• People for the American Way
• Pride Fund to End Gun Violence
• Virginia Education Association
• Sierra Club
• Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC
• Virginia Police Benevolent Association^[1]
• Richmond Crusade for Voters^[2]
• Human Rights Campaign^[3]
• The Washington Post^[4]

Jill Holtzman Vogel[edit]

• Former Sen. John Warner
• Rep. Barbara Comstock
• Rep. Bob Goodlatte
• Rep. Frank Wolf
• Former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore
• State Sen. Steve Newman
• State Sen. Mark Obenshain
• State Sen. Bill Stanley
• State Sen. Richard Stewart
• Del. Scott Lingamfelter
• 32 sheriffs
• Virginia Citizen's Defense League
• NOVABIZPAC
• Virginia Fraternal Order of Police^[5]
• Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC^[6]
• Richmond Times-Dispatch^[7]

Noteworthy events[edit]

October 5 debate[edit]

On October 5, 2017, the second lieutenant gubernatorial debate was held at the University of Richmond. Justin Fairfax and Jill Holtzman Vogel discussed abortion, firearms regulations, and healthcare. The hourlong debate, which the Associated Press reported "often featured sharp exchanges [among Fairfax and Vogel] accusing each other of low-road campaigning", was the final meeting between the two candidates before the November 7 general election.

Many issues that had been brought up in the August 9 debate resurfaced, with Fairfax repeating his criticism of a bill proposed by Vogel in 2012 that would have required the administration of a vaginal ultrasound before an abortion. Vogel again argued that Fairfax was misrepresenting the bill and that she had a track record of advocating for policies that would improve healthcare for women.

The candidates' discussion on firearms referenced the October 1, 2017, mass shooting in Las Vegas, in which 58 concertgoers were killed and 589 injured. Fairfax argued in favor of requiring background checks before all firearms purchases and implementing more restrictive firearms regulations. Vogel countered that too little time had passed since the shooting to conclude what measures might have prevented it, and stated her opposition to additional restrictions on firearms, asserting that previous restrictions had done little to lower crime rates while making it more difficult for victims to defend themselves.

Fairfax and Vogel also discussed healthcare, with Vogel citing a candidate survey in which Fairfax had expressed support for Sen. Bernie Sanders' proposal to expand Medicaid. Vogel added that the state should not expand Medicaid coverage on the basis that the federal government might not continue to fund the program and that the state might not be able to afford it regardless. Fairfax countered that it was important that the state expand Medicaid, adding that the federal government would still cover the majority of associated costs.^[8][9]

August 9 debate[edit]

On August 9, 2017, the Senior Statesmen of Virginia hosted the first debate of the general election at Piedmont Community College. Justin Fairfax and Jill Holtzman Vogel discussed a range of issues including abortion, firearms regulation, and taxes. The debate revealed areas of agreement between the candidates - both Fairfax and Vogel criticized the state’s current method of drawing legislative districts, arguing that it gives the party with a majority in the state legislature an undue advantage. The candidates also agreed that the state should coordinate a response to climate change and that employers should be required to ensure that new employees have legal permission to work in the country.

The candidates disagreed on the economy, campaign finance, firearms control, and Confederate monuments. Fairfax argued that the state’s economy has improved since Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) took office in 2014, saying,

Vogel countered that McAuliffe’s term in office had not been a positive development for the state’s economy, arguing,

During the debate, Fairfax called for the state to limit the amount an individual could spend on any given race, which Vogel criticized as a restriction on political expression. Vogel outlined her staunch opposition to increased firearms regulation in contrast to Fairfax, who stated that he was open to measures similar to those proposed by gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam (D). Fairfax also called for local governments to have the power to move monuments honoring figures associated with the Confederacy from public display into museums, a proposal opposed by Vogel. Another area of disagreement was abortion policy, with Fairfax criticizing Vogel over a 2012 bill she had sponsored that would have required women seeking an abortion to undergo a vaginal ultrasound. Vogel argued that Fairfax had misrepresented the bill and that she has prioritized women’s health during her time in office.^[11][12]

Primary elections[edit]

Click here to learn more about the 2017 lieutenant gubernatorial primary in Virginia
During a primary election, voters select the candidate they believe should represent a political party in a general election. Primaries usually take place several months before a general election. Virginia utilizes a hybrid primary process in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.^[13] In the past, the Virginia Republican Party had selected candidates for statewide races at a convention; however, in August 2016, the State Central Committee voted 41-40 to select candidates via primary elections instead.^[14]

Virginia's primary election was held on June 13, 2017. In the Democratic primary, former assistant U.S. attorney Justin Fairfax defeated political consultant Susan Platt and former prosecutor Gene Rossi. In the Republican primary, state Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel defeated state Sen. Bryce Reeves and Del. Glenn Davis.

Incumbent Ralph Northam (D)[edit]

Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam (D) was first elected in 2013, winning the open election for the seat by over 10 percentage points—a significant win for an office that usually sees very narrow margins of victory in open races. Prior to his election, Northam had served in the Virginia State Senate from 2008 to 2014.

Before his career in public service, Northam worked as a physician specializing in pediatric neurology.

Party control in Virginia[edit]

At the time of the 2017 election,Virginia had had a divided government since Governor Terry McAuliffe was elected in 2013, ending a two-year Republican trifecta: Democrats held the governorship while Republicans held a three-seat majority in the State Senate and a 32-seat majority in the House. The state had been represented in the United States Senate by Democrats since 2009, though its class 2 Senate seat was held by Republicans from 1973 to 2009. Virginians also elected Republican George F. Allen to the class 1 seat in 2001; he served until 2007. Though the state's electoral votes went to Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Virginia voters had previously selected the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 1968.^[15]

The office of lieutenant governor in Virginia has been largely controlled by Democrats since the office was created in 1850. The last Republican to hold the seat was William T. Bolling, who served from 2006 until 2014. The only other periods of non-Democratic control in the office since the turn of the 20th century were Republican John Henry Hager's tenure from 1998 to 2002, Republican John Nichols Dalton from 1974 to 1978, and independent Henry Evans Howell Jr. from 1971 to 1974. With few exceptions—including the election of incumbent Ralph Northam (D) in 2013—open elections for the seat are usually quite close. Bolling won 2005's open election by just 1 percentage point; Tim Kaine won 2001's open race by less than 2 percentage points.

Polls[edit]

Campaign data[edit]

Campaign media[edit]

Click here to view campaign advertisements for this race.
Note: If a candidate is not listed below, Ballotpedia staff were unable to locate any campaign media for that candidate. Do you know of any? Tell us!

Justin Fairfax (D)
Jill Holtzman Vogel (R)

Qualifications[edit]

In order to be eligible for the office of lieutenant governor, a candidate must be:

• a United States citizen
• a resident of Virginia for at least five years at the time of the election
• a qualified elector of Virginia for at least one year preceding the election
• at least 30 years in age

Authority[edit]

The Virginia Constitution addresses the office of the lieutenant governor Article V, the Executive.

Under Article V, Section 13:

Duties[edit]

The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the Virginia State Senate and is first in the line of succession to the governor; in the event the governor dies, resigns or otherwise leaves office, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.

He serves as the President of the Senate but only has a vote in cases of a tie. (§ 14)

The Code of Virginia provides that the lieutenant governor is automatically a member of these state boards, commissions and councils:

• The Board of Trustees of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
• The Board of Trustees of the Center for Rural Virginia
• The Board of Directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership
• The Board of Directors of the Virginia Tourism Authority
• The Virginia Military Advisory Council
• The Commonwealth Preparedness Council
• The Council on Virginia’s Future^[16]

Past elections[edit]

Virginia belongs to the handful of states that hold off-year elections, that is, elections in odd-numbered years that are neither presidential nor midterm years. In Virginia's case, elections are held in the year after a presidential and before a midterm; thus, 2017, 2021 and 2025 are all lieutenant gubernatorial election years. Legally, the inauguration is always held the second Wednesday in the January after an election.

By law, lieutenant governors are elected in separate elections from governors in both the primary and general elections. This means it is possible to have a partisan split in the executive office.

In the event of a tie between two candidates or a contested election, a joint session of the legislature shall cast ballots.

Success running for governor[edit]

An April 2013 article in Governing looked at how successful lieutenant governors in all states have been in their bids for the governorship. Their research showed that since the early 1990s they made 55 attempts for the top post, of which 17 won and 38 lost—a winning percentage of 31 percent.^[17]

Virginia stood out among the states, where incumbent lieutenant governors won four of the nine races for governor since 1977. State term limits allow governors only one term in office and provide lieutenant governors with an advantage. University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato explained the situation, stating, "It's a part-time, poorly paid post whose occupants mainly spend their time running for governor." And due to Virginia's system, he added, "being seen as in the wings is a big plus."^[17]

Full history[edit]

To view the electoral history dating back to 2001 for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, click [show] to expand the section.

2013 On November 5, 2013, Ralph Northam won election to the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He defeated E.W. Jackson (R) in the general election. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 2013 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Ralph Northam 55.1% 1,213,155      Republican E.W. Jackson 44.5% 980,257      Write-In Various 0.3% 7,472 Total Votes 2,200,884 Election results via Virginia State Board of Elections. 2009 On November 3, 2009, William T. "Bill" Bolling won re-election to the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He defeated Jody M. Wagner (D) in the general election. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 2009 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican William T. "Bill" Bolling Incumbent 56.5% 1,106,793      Democratic Jody M. Wagner 43.4% 850,111      Write-In Various 0.1% 1,569 Total Votes 1,958,473 Election results via Virginia State Board of Elections. 2005 On November 8, 2005, William T. Bolling won election to the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He defeated Leslie L. Byrne (D) in the general election. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 2005 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican William T. Bolling 50.5% 979,265      Democratic Leslie L. Byrne 49.3% 956,906      Write-In Various 0.2% 4,065 Total Votes 1,940,236 Election results via Virginia State Board of Elections. 2001 On November 6, 2001, Tim Kaine won election to the office of Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He defeated Jay K. Katzen (R) and Gary A. Reams (L) in the general election. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, 2001 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Tim Kaine 50.3% 925,974      Republican Jay K. Katzen 48.1% 883,886      Libertarian Gary A. Reams 1.6% 28,783      Write-In Various 0% 490 Total Votes 1,839,133 Election results via Virginia State Board of Elections.

State profile[edit]

Presidential voting pattern[edit]

See also: Presidential voting trends in Virginia

Virginia voted for the Democratic candidate in four out of the six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, five are located in Virginia, accounting for 2.43 percent of the total pivot counties.^[18]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Virginia had five Retained Pivot Counties, 2.76 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

More Virginia coverage on Ballotpedia

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Recent news[edit]

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See also[edit]

External links[edit]

Suggest a link

• Lieutenant governor of Virginia official website

Footnotes[edit]

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