Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2021 (May 8 Republican convention)

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2017
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 25, 2021
Convention: May 8, 2021
Primary: June 8, 2021
General: November 2, 2021

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Justin Fairfax (D)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Virginia
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Winsome Sears won the 2021 Republican party nomination to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at the party's May 8, 2021, nominating convention. Sears defeated Tim Hugo in the fifth round of ranked-choice voting with 54% of the vote to Hugo's 46%.[1]

Six candidates ran in this convention: Puneet Ahluwalia, Lance Allen, Glenn Davis, Tim Hugo, Maeve Rigler, and Winsome Sears. Of these candidates, Allen, Davis, Hugo, and Sears led in endorsements and fundraisng.

Allen is a U.S. Air Force veteran and worked to provide intelligence policy in areas like counterterrorism and homeland defense. He later became director of strategic engagement at a national security and technology firm in Northern Virginia.[2]

Davis was elected in 2014 as a state delegate representing District 84 in the Virginia General Assembly and served on the Virginia Beach City Council prior to becoming a delegate. He was a 2017 Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia, but lost in the primary election on June 13, 2017. As a businessman, Davis created a telecommunications management firm at the age of 26.[3]

Hugo served in the Army and worked at the Pentagon and as a congressional staffer for Bud Shuster (R) He was a state delegate representing District 40 in the Virginia General Assembly from 2003 to 2020.[4]

Sears served in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004. She served on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as vice president of the Virginia Board of Education, as a president appointee to the U.S. Census Bureau.[5]

Due to coronavirus crowd-size restrictions, the 2021 Virginia Republican convention was an unassembled convention held across 39 satellite locations. Unlike previous conventions in the state, there was no limit on how many delegates could cast votes, which were weighted according to the number of delegate votes allocated to each locality. Delegates cast a single ballot using ranked-choice voting to determine a majority-vote winner, rather than using multiple rounds of voting.[6] To read more about the 2021 Republican convention in Virginia, click here.

The lieutenant governor serves as the president of the Virginia State Senate and may cast tie-breaking votes. The lieutenant governor 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. Of the four lieutenant governors who have been elected since 2002, three were Democrats and one was a Republican.[7]

This page focuses on Virginia's Republican lieutenant gubernatorial convention. For more in-depth information on Virginia's Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary and the general election, see the following pages:

This election is a battleground race. Other 2021 battlegrounds include:

Candidates and election results[edit]

Republican Convention for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Winsome Sears in round 5 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.


Total votes: 12,554


Candidate profiles[edit]

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[8] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Lance Allen[edit]

Image of Lance Allen

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Allen is a U.S. Air Force veteran and worked to provide intelligence policy in areas like counterterrorism and homeland defense. He works as director of strategic engagement at a national security and technology firm in Northern Virginia.


Key Messages


To address economic recovery, Allen said that he favors tax relief measures and allowing small businesses to remain open.  


Allen said that he would not take salary if elected lieutenant governor because "Virginians deserve a Lieutenant Governor who puts fiscal stewardship ahead of personal wealth."


Allen said that tax cuts would be a priority if he were elected and that he would "do a better job of making sure that people get to keep paychecks in their pocket to provide for and take care of their family.”


This information was current as of the candidate's run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021

Glenn Davis[edit]

Image of Glenn Davis

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Virginia House of Delegates (Assumed office: 2014)

Biography:  Davis was elected in 2014 as a state delegate representing District 84 in the Virginia General Assembly and served on the Virginia Beach City Council prior to becoming a delegate. He is an entrepreneur and created his own telecommunications management firm.


Key Messages


Davis said that he would be the best candidate to win in the general election because of his experience campaigning in a competitive district. 


On the subject of economic recovery, Davis said he would get rid of "job-killing" regulations and that he understands economic challenges due to his experience as an entrepreneur.


Davis said that he supports charter schools and parents' right to homeschool their children.


This information was current as of the candidate's run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021

Tim Hugo[edit]

Image of Tim Hugo

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Virginia House of Delegates (2003-2020)

Biography:  Hugo served in the army and worked at the Pentagon and as a Congressional staffer. He was a state delegate representing District 40 in the Virginia General Assembly from 2003 to 2020.


Key Messages


Hugo said that, if elected, he would work with the Virginia Senate and the business community to undo tax increases and "burdensome" regulations. 


Hugo said that his top priority would be to make Virginia the number one state for business and that he would repeal the Clean Energy Economy Act.


When asked what the number one legislative issue facing Virginia was, Hugo said that it was reopening schools. He said he would support having "teachers and students back in the classroom five days a week right away."


This information was current as of the candidate's run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021


Winsome Sears[edit]

Image of Winsome Sears

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Virginia House of Delegates (2002-2004)

Biography:  Sears completed an associate's degree from Tidewater Community College and a BA in English from Old Dominion University in 1992, and she completed an MA in organizational leadership at Regent University in 2003. She is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004. Sears served on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, as vice president of the Virginia Board of Education, as a president appointee to the U.S. Census Bureau.


Key Messages


Addressing the economic impact of the pandemic, Sears said that she would reopen businesses and that "the governor cannot continue to keep Virginian’s jobless."


Sears said that election integrity is one of her top issues and that she supports voter ID and strict vote-by-mail requirements as well as requiring all voting machines to be made in America.


Sears said that she was the only candidate who could win the support of minority voters and that her opponents were "going to keep doing the same thing that they’ve always done and we’re going to get the same results we’ve always got ... and that is losing.”


This information was current as of the candidate's run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021


Noteworthy primary endorsements[edit]

This section includes noteworthy endorsements issued in the primary, added as we learn about them. Click here to read how we define noteworthy primary endorsements. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Republican primary endorsements
Endorsement Allen Davis Hugo Sears
Individuals
Former U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes (R)[9]
Former Roanoke City Sherriff Octavia L. Johnson (R)[10]
Elected officials
State Rep. John Avoli (R)[11]
State Rep. Rob Bell (R)[12]
State Rep. Kathy Byron (R)[13]
State Rep. Ronnie Campbell (R)[14]
State Sen. Bill Carrico (R)[15]
State Sen. Amanda Chase (R)[16]
Rep. Ben Cline (R)[17]
State Rep. Mark Cole (R)[18]
State Rep. Carrie Coyner (R)[19]
State Sen. Bill DeSteph (R)[20]
State Rep. Matt Fariss (R)[21]
State Rep. Buddy Fowler (R)[22]
Rep. Morgan Griffith (R)[23]
State Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R)[24]
State Rep. Terry Kilgore (R)[25]
State Sen. Ryan McDougle (R)[26]
State Rep. Bill Morefield (R)[27]
State Sen. Tommy Norment (R)[28]
State Sen. Steve Newman (R)[29]
State Sen. Mark Obenshain (R)[30]
State Rep. Bobby Orrock (R)[31]
State Rep. Margaret Ransone (R)[32]
State Rep. Roxann Robinson (R)[33]
State Rep. Larry Rush (R)[34]
State Sen. Richard Stuart (R)[35]
State Rep. William Wampler III (R)[36]
State Rep. Lee Ware (R)[37]


Campaign themes[edit]

See also: Campaign themes

Republican Party Puneet Ahluwalia[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Ahluwalia’s campaign website stated the following:

We want all Americans-including our own children and your’s – to enjoy the freedom and opportunity that have so blessed Nadia and me. We have operated and managed small businesses for many years. We have succeeded, we’ve failed, and we’ve succeeded again. We have also seen our businesses destroyed by rioters and looters.
When the law breaks down though, the people hurt most are people of color. Where’s Ralph Northam? Where’s Justin Fairfax? All they do is blame Trump, then fade into the background. That’s not leadership. It’s finger-pointing. No more excuses.
The policies of progressive Democrats have trapped too many Virginians in poverty, a failed education system, and hopelessness. Virginia can enjoy a brilliant future, but it means holding the line on taxes, reducing unfair regulations, and standing up to those who attack our free enterprise system.
Progressives think we Virginians work for them. It’s not true. And it’s time we take back our state and the values we share: hard work, personal responsibility, and love for neighbor. That’s why I’m running for Lieutenant Governor. I hope you’ll join me.[38]
—Puneet Ahluwalia's campaign website (2021)[39]


Republican Party Lance Allen[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Allen’s campaign website stated the following:

  • DEFEND OUR RIGHTS.
As a Veteran, Virginian, and American, I will stand against any attempt to strip us of our rights guaranteed by the U.S. and Virginia Constitution. The Second Amendment and Article 1, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution, are non-negotiable.
  • PROTECT THE UNBORN.
Children are the most vulnerable part of our society. Our culture must begin to recognize that every human life is a special and unique gift from God. As a father, I am 100% pro-life and will continue to fight for the voiceless.
  • KEEP VIRGINIANS SAFE.
Keeping our children, our communities, and our Commonwealth safe should be our government’s top priority. I will concentrate my focus on keeping violent criminals in jail, enforcing the laws on the books, and working with our law enforcement and first responders to ensure our Commonwealth has the best security possible.
  • LOWER TAXES & CUT REGULATIONS.
Fewer taxes and less regulation means business owners can hire more employees and invest more into their communities. I will work hard to keep money in the hands of those who have worked for it and out of the hands of greedy politicians.
  • ECONOMIC RECOVERY & RENEWAL.
We must safely re-open the economy, sustain a strong recovery, and build a better future with opportunities for all Virginians. First and foremost, that requires tax relief for families and an economy open for small businesses, the engine of job creation. In short, we should enable people to grow the economy, rather than letting politicians grow government.[38]
—Lance Allen’s campaign website (2021)[40]


Republican Party Glenn Davis[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Davis' campaign website stated the following:

  • The Sanctity of Life
Virginia should lead the way in preserving and protecting the value of innocent human life. We must stop all attempts to pursue late-term abortions, which is why I supported the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which stopped abortions after 20 weeks, as well as former Delegate Ben Cline’s “Day of Tears” resolution memorializing all lives lost to abortion by encouraging citizens to lower their flags to half-staff on January 22 each year. The fight to protect the unborn means stopping all attempts to fund Planned Parenthood and other clinics that prioritize abortion. We should further streamline the adoption process so women can be more confident their babies will not end up lost inside a governmental system, but rather in a loving home, allowing not only their child to achieve their dreams, but also allowing loving couples to reach theirs.
  • Second Amendment Rights
My passion for protecting our Second Amendment rights has run strong since I was a young man shooting competitively in NJROTC at Green Run High School and for a team out of Langley Air Force Base. There has never been a time in Virginia or American history when our rights were more in danger than they are today. As one of only three Republicans on the heavily Democrat-weighted Firearms Subcommittee, I have been part of the “first line of defense,” aggressively defending our 2nd Amendment rights against an onslaught of radical gun control legislation. This includes standing up to the Democrat majority to oppose “red flag” laws that deprive citizens of due process, bans on so-called assault weapons that would turn millions of law-abiding Virginians into felons, and legislation that allows localities to strip you of your gun rights. As your next Lieutenant Governor, I will help lead the charge to repeal Virginia’s unconstitutional red flag law, end the patchwork of conflicting local gun ordinances, and stop Richmond from taking away any more of your rights. I will never support a policy that would leave my fellow Virginians defenseless, and I will always stand up for our constitutional rights.
  • Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is our first freedom and must always be safeguarded. Religious institutions are essential and I will always protect their right to keep their doors open and worship according to the dictates of their creed. If there has ever been a need for us to gather regularly in prayer and worship it is today.
  • Election Integrity
If Virginians have no confidence in the integrity of elections, no other issues will matter. This is not a partisan issue. In 2016, many Democrats doubted the election results. In 2020, many Republicans did. We must give ALL voters the confidence that their vote is secure and legitimate. Unfortunately, the Democratic majority in Richmond has eroded many of our existing protections against voter fraud, such as repealing the photo ID requirement last year. I voted against this and have been fighting to reinstate common sense measures, such as photo ID and the witness requirement for absentee voting, that would help protect the integrity of our elections going forward. I will also lead the effort to restore confidence in elections by making sure voting rolls are accurate, votes are legitimately cast and counted, and the result is one all Virginians can trust.
  • Supporting Law Enforcement
As the son-in-law of a police officer and someone who has seen the everyday heroism of the brave law enforcement officers serving our communities, I will ALWAYS Back the Blue. Our law enforcement officers risk their lives each day they place a badge on their chest and mark on to serve and protect. When a law enforcement officer abuses their power or breaks the law, they should be held accountable, but we should never dismantle strong law enforcement because of a few problem officers who violate the oath of their badge. I’m proud to be endorsed by so many leaders in our law enforcement community who stand with me knowing that I will always have their backs. Keeping our communities safe is one of the most fundamental roles of government, and we cannot do that without funding, equipping, and maintaining first-in-class law enforcement in Virginia.
  • Economic Revitalization
For me, creating jobs is not just a passion but a life story. I started my first company in a one-bedroom apartment when I was 26 years old. As the only entrepreneur running for Lieutenant Governor, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities of creating a 21st Century economy that works for all Virginians. To do this, we must more efficiently utilize our skilled workforce, foster innovation by getting rid of job-killing regulations, and modernize Virginia through improvements to infrastructure and an education system that ensures our graduates are career-ready. COVID-19 has reminded us of many areas that need focus in Virginia, but none are nearly as glaring as infrastructure needs such as broadband access. As children and parents alike have been forced to study and work from home, many have been left behind due to the inability to stay connected with the world around them. I will prioritize expanding broadband access at even faster rates to get Virginians connected. I will also support regional issues such as completing the Coalfields Expressway in Southwest Virginia, improving transportation in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, and assisting our most impoverished areas around Virginia in getting the improvements they need to attract more jobs and improve quality of life for their citizens.
  • School Choice
I have stood up to Democrats and Republicans alike on the critical issue of school choice and I’m never backing down. I helped found Green Run Collegiate, a public charter school in Virginia Beach. GRC’s metrics speak to the success of charter schools as a viable alternative. I have pushed for numerous bills to strengthen the ability of charter schools to serve as that alternative. Equipping parents with choice also means that homeschool rights are essential. I voted for the “Tebow Bill” every year that it has made it out of Committee while I have been in office. Recognizing that the needs of every child are unique, parents must have the ability to choose from a variety of options to distinctively provide for their children’s future. That’s why I have spearheaded multiple bills to create opportunity scholarships that would follow families to the schools of their choice. Virginia must lead the way in ensuring that every child has access to a school that meets his or her individual needs, regardless of zip code. Now, more than ever, we need to put education back in the hands of families and give parents the choice they need to ensure their children have the same opportunity to pursue the American Dream that we all want for the next generation.[38]
—Glenn Davis' campaign website (2021)[41]


Republican Party Tim Hugo[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Hugo’s campaign website stated the following:

During Operation Desert Storm, Tim’s career was taking off, but, at the age of 27, he decided to quit his job and enlist in the U.S Army. He saw many young men and women being called into service and he could not sit on the sidelines.
Nearly thirty years of public service was forged at the Pentagon, as a Congressional staffer, and seventeen years serving the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Delegate.
In 2002, Tim was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. As a member of the General Assembly, Tim rose to be the third ranking member of the House of Delegates. As a conservative representing Northern Virginia, Tim helped shape some of the most crucial legislation that made Virginia one of the safest and best places to live.
As Delegate, Tim was a consistent conservative. In 2019, he sponsored and passed a $500 million tax cut. For seventeen years, he defended the Second Amendment, voted to protect life, and worked to foster Virginia’s #1 ranking for business.
As Lieutenant Governor, Tim will work to position Virginia for a 21st Century economy, bring about a strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, defend your Constitutional rights, hold the line on additional tax increases, and stand up for the men and women in law enforcement.
Tim grew up in Virginia Beach and graduated from the College of William and Mary before moving to Northern Virginia. Tim has been and remains active in youth, civic, athletic, and religious associations. He, his wife, and their four children reside in Clifton.[38]
—Tim Hugo's campaign website (2021)[42]


Republican Party Maeve Rigler[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Rigler's campaign website stated the following:

  • Election Integrity
Last year, we saw the Democrats get away with mass voter fraud scot-free!
In states like Georgia, RINOs like Raffensberger and Gov. Kemp did nothing to stop rampant, out-of-control voter fraud.
The Virginia Democrats want every election to look like 2020. Their dirty secret is they benefit from insecure elections!
So, they’re removing Voter ID, instituting universal mail-in balloting, and pulling up every guardrail to keep our elections secure!
Northam just signed his own version of Nancy Pelosi’s HR-1 that would make every election in Virginia’s future look like 2020. That’s an absolutely catastrophic blow to Democracy!
Before we can do anything, we must re-secure our elections. Or else all this discussion of policy means nothing.
I will ensure Voter ID is re-instituted, first and foremost, and universal mail-in balloting will be rolled back. We must put back up the guardrails to stop voter fraud!
  • Immigration
Right now, our borders are completely open and insecure! On Biden’s First day, tens of thousands of illegal aliens began flooding across the border, egged on by Biden’s promises of amnesty and free stuff.
This crisis is entirely created by Biden and the Democratic Party. Drug cartel human traffickers are also taking advantage of the surge to smuggle in drugs. Border Patrol has seized almost 100% more fentanyl alone this year. And the year has just started…
Virginia’s Leftist leadership wants to selectively apply the rule of law, incentivizing and encouraging illegal immigration! That’s unacceptable. That makes Virginia unsafe and makes it unsafe for any migrants crossing the border.
I would help our General Assembly strike down sanctuary cities in Virginia and repeal laws allowing illegal aliens to get free college.
  • Re-Open Schools
The teacher union shutdowns are anti-science and are irreparably hurting our children as well as our economy.
They’ve been running this state like a mafia, using intimidation, and even racketeering to enforce their will on everyone else. Loudoun and Fairfax Counties are prime examples of teachers’ unions run amok!
I’m sick and tired of the teachers’ unions in Virginia holding parents hostage to their whims of when they think that it is safe for children to go back to in-classroom learning!
Virtual learning doesn’t work. Even the liberal rag Washington Post pointed out how failing rates have DOUBLED in Fairfax County, our biggest school district.
Parents who voice these concerns have been met with scorn, derision, and even threats by teacher union bullies and local government.
We cannot allow the teachers unions to launch an assault on our children and parents ever again.
We must return to every student sitting in the classroom, receiving in-person learning. States that have done this have been safely re-opened for months.
Here in Virginia, dozens of private schools have fully re-opened with virtually no COVID cases. The CDC even found that there was no serious risk of outbreaks in schools.
It’s time to do right by our children.
  • Re-Open Our Economy
Since our economy has locked down, unemployment has skyrocketed in Virginia. It more than doubled!
We need to get Virginians back to work.
The biggest victims of lockdown have been small businesses. While Northam and his leftist cronies takes care of massive corporations, half of small businesses may go out of business. For good.
Our entire state has suffered so much because of Democrat-enforced lockdowns. And they just don’t care as long as they control our lives.
Northam’s lockdown has been flippantly arbitrary. He even enforced a curfew as if the virus more easily spread at night! How does that make any sense?
States that have re-opened and ended their mask mandates like Texas and Florida have also seen the virus spread decline and hospitalizations decline.
Virginia needs to re-open immediately and stop listening to pseudo-science “guidelines” King Northam decrees.
  • Stop Cancel Culture and Big Tech Censorship
Cancel Culture and Big Tech are out of control!
Big Tech Censorship, driven by Leftist cancel culture, is one of the greatest assaults on freedom we have witnessed in America.
And it must be stopped. We can no longer stomach a Big Tech oligarchy that operates above the law and above the First Amendment.
I’d follow in the steps of conservative leaders like Ron DeSantis and take steps to protect Virginians’ free speech by cracking down on tech companies.
First, legislation must be passed that will protect conservatives’ from being silenced or de-platformed by Big Tech.
Second, the billions in tax breaks and corporate welfare Virginia are currently doling out to big tech companies will be shut down. Virginia will not engage in open crony favoritism to companies engaging in censorship.
I’m taking the fight to Big Tech in a way no Virginian ever has before!
  • Second Amendment
Our Second Amendment rights are sacred. In the state of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and James Madison, Northam and the Left have slowly eradicated our second amendment protections!
The second Amendment wasn’t created for hunting—it was created as a check on government power. Yet, the Democrats are trying to ban every gun they think is “scary.”
It’s time to stop letting our Commonwealth be run by people who don’t even understand how guns work.
Worse yet, they passed heinous red flag laws that would allow law enforcement to seize anyone’s guns on one flimsy accusation that someone is “unstable.”
We’ve already seen how egregiously abused this law has become in states like New York. It often violates the due process of a gun owner. It’s unequivocally unconstitutional. The last time a government tried to seize guns from Americans, the battles of Lexington and Concord happened.
Under my leadership, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed!
Every heinous unconstitutional gun-grabbing bill the Democrats have signed will be struck down and repealed.
  • Protect the Unborn
Unlike our Governor and the Democrats running the legislature, I believe that the Supreme Court made a grave error in its Roe v. Wade decision, and that abortion is wrong and immoral.
I believe in fresh solutions that would give pregnant women alternatives such as grants that would provide pregnant women with financial incentives. And adoptive family support so that women never feel abandoned and alone.
I support federal legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. As Lt. Governor, I would work tirelessly to oppose late term abortions and infanticide and state or federal monies for any abortion.
Until Roe is overturned, I want to promote new solutions to this debate so that women are not ever faced with the harrowing thought that abortion is the answer.
Northam’s infanticide comments made me sick to my stomach. He voiced what the Democratic party wholeheartedly believes in. And it’s up to us to stop it.
All life is precious. And abortion is murder. Plain and simple.
  • Parental Choice
We must embrace new ideas that will never allow the teachers unions to hold parents and children hostage to their whims again.
As Lt. Governor, I would advocate that the state revenue used to fund localities be set aside in a separate account, with the parents having a say as to how their child’s funds should be spent.
These funds would be deemed “Parental Choice Funds.” Parents would be able to request whether those funds should be used for their child’s public school, charter school or a private school of that parent’s choice. The pandemic has taught us that we can NEVER have this happen again to our children, as they are our precious future.
We’ve watched in horror as public schools have become more and more “woke.” Some school systems in Virginia have been attempting to indoctrinate our children with their “woke” ideology and critical race theory.
Virginians deserve to choose a better way than have their kids be brainwashed with extremist, radical, hateful theories teachers are forcing down their throats.
  • Creating Jobs and Apprenticeships
Democrats are burdening small businesses with unnecessary and job killing laws and regulations. This must stop. We need to bring back our principles of economic opportunity for all Virginians, emphasizing the power of the individual not the government.
We need Virginia to become number one in the nation for creating jobs for people who want to learn a well-paying, well-respected skill. We need to copy what many European countries have done – training electricians, cyber engineers, software engineers, plumbers, civil engineers, electrical engineers, technical engineers, broadband experts and other infrastructure experts.
I want Virginia to be the first in the nation to provide training programs in these areas so that individuals can achieve well-paying and prestigious apprenticeships.
  • Law Enforcement
This past year, our state descended into total anarchy. BLM and Antifa extremists burned down Richmond and rioted for months.
The result was billions of dollars in property damage, hundreds wounded, historical monuments torn down, police targeted and hunted by antifa terrorists, and even some innocent bystanders killed by rioters.
No “social justice” was achieved by these horrific, despicable riots. And our “woke” governor made sure almost everyone arrested never faced charges.
In response to this, Democrats decided to make it easier to hurt police officers by making assault of an officer a misdemeanor. They intentionally endangered our police!
They also defunded state police, resulting in a horrific crime wave we are now experiencing. Violent crime has skyrocketed across the state to rates we haven’t seen since the 90s. Tragically, the victims of this crime wave are overwhelming the poor and minorities.
We must restore law and order to our state! We will restore all police funding, first and foremost.
I will also ensure that our police are protected, not endangered.
Furthermore, as Lieutenant Governor, I will call for an investigation into why charges were not brought against arrested rioters and punish those responsible. If possible, justice will be paid on anyone who participated in the destruction of our state.
  • Energy
Biden and the Democratic party have declared war on American energy. In their “woke” quest to be more green, they’re once again making America dependent on foreign oil and causing gas to spike to almost $3 dollars a gallon in Virginia.
Most likely, gas prices will continue to rise.
Virginia Democrats are also attempting to pass their own “Virginia Green New Deal” which is expected to almost DOUBLE energy costs on Virginians and eliminate tens of thousands of jobs.
This is unacceptable.
I will help bring us back to energy independence and ensure our oil, gas, and coal jobs are safe. The Southwest Virginia coal tax credit will be protected, not eliminated like Democrats want.
I stand against any kind of a “Green New Deal” in Virginia.[38]
—Maeve Rigler's campaign website (2021)[43]


Republican Party Winsome Sears[edit]

Campaign website[edit]

Sears' campaign website stated the following:

  • PRO-LIFE
The baby in the womb wants to live! God creates life: whether by test-tube or natural means. As a mother, I understand the importance of protecting life. As the next Lt. Governor of Virginia, I will fight to protect life, not devalue it.
Furthermore, late-term abortion and infanticide (killing of the baby after birth) is also murder. What is happening at the hands of Democrat lawmakers (like our Governor) across this country is wicked; therefore, I will do everything in my power to stop this act from taking place in Virginia.
  • 2ND AMENDMENT
I will defend our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. We have seen the continued whittling away of this right. believe the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects individual gun ownership. Gun control laws infringe on the right to self-defense and deny people a sense of safety. Gun control laws DO NOT deter crime; rather it is gun ownership that deters crime.
  • PARENTAL SCHOOL CHOICE
I believe in parental school choice. Currently, school funding is awarded to the school building and not the child; therefore the child is not as important. Poor children, especially, are trapped in poorly performing schools since their parent does not have the resources to move to a better school district. Parental school choice will return the parent’s rights to send their child to a private school, public school, or charter school. I believe that this is the best way to fix the problems in our public school system.
Further, we must reopen our schools immediately. Under the hypocritical policies of the current administration, school children have fallen drastically behind in their education, furthermore, those children who were already behind have fallen even further!
  • BALLOT BOX INTEGRITY
1. Voter ID Requirements: Virginia must require the use of a State, Federal, or REAL ID that matches the voter registration roll in order to both receive and cast a ballot.
2. Updated Voter Rolls: Secure elections in Virginia begin with accurate voter rolls. This must begin with a monthly voter roll purge completed by the Virginia Department of Elections, along with increased interstate communication regarding all new voter registrations and the removal of outdated voter rolls. Currently, about thirty states have reciprocating agreements to share voter information changes when the voter moves from one state to the other.
3. Strict Vote By Mail Requirements: All vote by mail ballots must be requested by the registered voter and include a proper identification affidavit. In addition, all vote by mail ballots must be returned in a secure manner—meaning no transportation (harvesting) by a third party.
4. American made Voting Machines: Voting machines in Virginia must be American made, American owned, designed, and have software engineered in America. They must also provide each voter with a printed receipt to ensure the correct vote was counted.
5. Unrestricted Access to the Voting Process: Poll watchers and inspectors must have complete and unrestricted viewership access to all vote counting, ballot transportation, and vote by mail intake. This applies to all parties, campaigns, and election integrity organizations.
6. Paper receipts must be provided to the voter indicating the veracity of the ballot that was just cast.
  • REOPEN OUR ECONOMY
Hypocritical COVID-19 shutdowns have decimated the Virginia small business community. As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of getting people back to work and I believe that Virginia must be safely reopened. Virginia citizens need to continue to social distance and adhere to health guidelines but the governor cannot continue to keep Virginian’s jobless. As your next Lt. Governor I will work with health officials to find the best solution possible to safely reopen our Commonwealth.[38]
—Winsome Sears' campaign website (2021)[44]


Campaign ads[edit]

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Republican Party Puneet Ahluwalia[edit]

Supporting Ahluwalia

"Religious Freedom" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released January 30, 2021
"Ahluwalia G" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released January 12, 2021
"TJ High 2" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released January 5, 2021
"TJ High 1" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released December 21, 2020
"Business" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released December 21, 2020
"Meet Puneet for LG" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released December 11, 2020
"Give $10" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released November 12, 2020
"Guns" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released October 13, 2020
"Radicals" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released August 26, 2020
"Right Now" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released August 19, 2020
"This Election" - Ahluwalia campaign ad, released August 4, 2020


Republican Party Lance Allen[edit]

Supporting Allen

"14 VCDL Lance Allen" - Allen campaign ad, released January 18, 2021


Republican Party Maeve Rigler[edit]

Supporting Rigler

"Maeve Rigler For LT Governor Virginia" - Rigler campaign ad, released April 14, 2021

Republican Party Winsome Sears[edit]

Supporting Sears

"Congressman Bob Good Endorses Winsome Sears" - Sears campaign ad, released April 6, 2021
"Delegate Dave LaRock Endorses Winsome Sears" - Sears campaign ad, released March 17, 2021
"Bishop E.W. Jackson Endorses Winsome Sears for Lt. Governor" - Sears campaign ad, released March 15, 2021
"Winsome Sears Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge with ATR Founder Grover Norquist" - Sears campaign ad, released February 18, 2021
"Winsome Sears For Lieutenant Governor" - Sears campaign ad, released January 21, 2021


Campaign finance[edit]

The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. Learn more about this data here.

Conventions in Virginia (2021)[edit]

In Virginia, political parties decide whether to nominate their candidates via primary or convention. In 2021, the Virginia Republican Party chose to hold a statewide nominating convention. The Virginia Democratic Party chose to hold statewide primaries.

Due to coronavirus crowd-size restrictions, the 2021 convention was an unassembled convention held across the state at 39 satellite locations. Unlike previous Virginia Republican conventions, there was no limit on how many delegates could cast votes, but these votes were weighted according to the number of delegate votes allocated to each locality. Delegates used ranked-choice voting in 2021 to determine the majority-vote winner, rather than multiple rounds of voting.[45]

The party committee first voted to use a convention to determine its nominee in early December 2020. In February 2021, the committee reached the supermajority vote threshold needed to hold an unassembled convention, meaning a convention where "delegates may cast their ballots at one or more polling locations within or adjacent to the area represented by the Official Committee."[46] Initially, the Party said it would hold a drive-in convention at Liberty University, but this plan was changed due to space restrictions at the venue. On March 12, the Party voted to hold the convention at 39 locations across the state.[47]

On April 25, 2021, the Republican Party of Virginia's State Central Committee voted to count all ballots by hand at a single location rather than using software or machine counting methods. Counting began the day after the convention. Party chairman Rich Anderson said he expected the counting process to be finished by May 11, but added that the party prepared for counting to continue until May 13.[48]

Convention process[edit]

The Republican Party of Virginia held a nominating convention on May 8, 2021.[49] Delegates selected candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general, who advanced to the November 2, 2021, general election.

Delegates were selected as representatives of their voting units. Each voting unit was allocated a set number of delegate votes, which were divided by the number of delegates representing that voting unit. For example, if a voting unit had 20 delegate votes and ten delegates, each delegate would cast two votes. If the same voting unit had 40 delegates, each delegate would cast one-half of a vote.[50] There were no limits on the number of delegates who were allowed to represent a voting unit.[49]

Voting units primarily corresponded with the state's 95 counties and 38 independent cities. However, eight independent cities were combined with seven counties in order to form seven voting units.[49]

The state's eleven district Republican Party committees determined the 39 voting locations. The district committees, which correspond with the state's eleven congressional districts, were allowed to establish a set number of polling locations as determined by the Republican Party of Virginia.[49]

Delegates casted a single ballot using ranked-choice voting.[49] Ranked-choice voting is an electoral system in which voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. A candidate who wins a majority of first preference votes is declared the winner. If no candidate wins a majority of first-preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. First-preference votes cast for the failed candidate are eliminated, lifting the second-preference choices indicated on those ballots. A new tally is conducted to determine whether any candidate has won a majority of the adjusted votes. The process is repeated until a candidate wins an outright majority.[51][52] The Republican Party of Virginia provided a guide to ranked-choice voting, which can be found here.

Frequently asked questions[edit]

When was the convention held?
The convention took place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET on May 8, 2021.[49]
Was early voting allowed?
Early voting took place from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET on May 7, 2021. Only delegates whose religious obligations prevented them from participating in the regularly-scheduled convention were allowed to vote early. In order to vote early, such delegates had to submit a certification to the party chairman no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on May 4, 2021.[53] A link to download the religious obligation certification form can be found here.
Where did the convention take place?
Voting took place across the state at 39 voting locations determined by the state's eleven district Republican Party committees. The party posted polling locations online on April 24, 2021, shown on the map below and listed here.[49][54]


Who voted in the convention and how were they selected to participate?
The Republican Party of Virginia lists the following requirements to be selected as a delegate in the convention:[49]
All legal and qualified voters under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.[38]
Republican Party of Virginia
Each voting unit established its own process for selecting its delegates, which could have included mass meetings, party canvasses, or conventions.[49] Delegate filing forms can be found here and a calendar of when and where each unit selected its delegates can be found here.
There was no limit on the number of delegates who were allowed to represent a given voting unit, but each voting unit was allocated a set number of delegate votes regardless of its number of delegates.[49]
How were the winners chosen?
There were 125 voting units in the state. Delegates represented and voted within their respective voting units. Each voting unit was allocated a set number of delegate votes calculated as one delegate vote per every 250 votes cast for the Republican candidate in the most recent elections for president and governor in that unit. The candidates who received the most delegate votes statewide won the nomination.[49]
How were the votes counted?
All ballots were taken to a single location under armed guard after the polls closed. Ballots were counted by hand starting the day after the convention. According to VA Scope, the State Party Central Committee expected the counting process to take multiple days to finish.[55][53]
What was the difference between a delegate and a delegate vote?
Delegate refers to any person selected to participate in the Republican convention as a voting member eligible to cast a ballot. Each voting unit's Republican Party committee was responsible for selecting the method to elect the delegates to represent that voting unit. There was no limit on the number of delegates a unit's committee was allowed to select.[49]
Delegate votes refers to the number of votes allocated to each voting unit.[49] The number of delegate votes and the number of delegates participating in a given voting unit determined the voting power of an individual delegate within that unit. A unit's delegate votes were divided between the number of delegates representing that unit.[50]
How many delegate votes were there?
The 125 voting units had 12,554 delegate votes. The table below lists the voting units alphabetically. Also shown are the number of delegate votes and each voting unit's share of the total 12,554 delegate votes.[49]



The map below shows the 125 voting units shaded based on the number of delegate votes.


Helpful links[edit]

Republican Party of Virginia[edit]

Campaign delegate resources[edit]

Candidates running for lieutenant governor offered information and assistance to those wishing to become a delegate. Those resources can be found in the links below.

State profile[edit]

USA Virginia location map.svg
Demographic data for Virginia
 VirginiaU.S.
Total population:8,367,587316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):39,4903,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:69%73.6%
Black/African American:19.2%12.6%
Asian:6%5.1%
Native American:0.3%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:3.2%3%
Hispanic/Latino:8.6%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:88.3%86.7%
College graduation rate:36.3%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$65,015$53,889
Persons below poverty level:13%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Virginia.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

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.[56]

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

See also[edit]

Virginia State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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Virginia State Executive Offices
Virginia State Legislature
Virginia Courts
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Virginia elections: 2022202120202019201820172016
Party control of state government
State government trifectas
State of the state addresses
Partisan composition of governors

External links[edit]

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Suggest a link

Footnotes[edit]

  1. The Washington Post, "Winsome Sears, former state delegate, wins GOP nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor," May 11, 2021
  2. 10WAVY, "Candidate Profile: Lance Allen (Lieutenant Governor)," April 6, 2021
  3. 10WAVY, "Candidate Profile: Glenn Davis (Lieutenant Governor)," April 6, 2021
  4. 10WAVY, "Candidate Profile: Tim Hugo (Lieutenant Governor)," April 6, 2021
  5. [https://www.wavy.com/news/politics/candidates/candidate-profile-winsome-sears-lt-governor WAVY, "Candidate Profile: Winsome Sears (Lt. Governor)," April 6, 2021
  6. NBC News, "Here's the complicated way Virginia Republicans will pick their nominee for governor," March 25, 2021
  7. Encyclopedia Virginia, " Lieutenant Governors of Virginia," accessed April 14, 2021
  8. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  9. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  10. The Tennessean, "Winsome Sears Shocks Race for Lieutenant Governor, Receives Endorsement of Amanda Chase and Octavia Johnson," March 30, 2021
  11. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  12. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  13. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  14. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  15. Lance Allen for Lt. Governor, "News," accessed April 12, 2021
  16. The Tennessean, "Winsome Sears Shocks Race for Lieutenant Governor, Receives Endorsement of Amanda Chase and Octavia Johnson," March 30, 2021
  17. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  18. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  19. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  20. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  21. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  22. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  23. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  24. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  25. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  26. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  27. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  28. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  29. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Senator Steve Newman Endorses Tim Hugo For Lieutenant Governor," accessed April 12, 2021
  30. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  31. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  32. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  33. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Over 50 Elected Leaders Endorse Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  34. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  35. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  36. Glenn Davis for Lt. Governor, "Delegate William Wampler Endorses Glenn Davis," accessed April 12, 2021
  37. Tim Hugo Lt. Governor, "Endorsements," accessed April 12, 2021
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  39. Puneet for Lieutenant Governor, “Home,” accessed April 15, 2021
  40. Lance Allen for Lieutenant Governor, “Issues,” accessed April 15, 2021
  41. Glenn Davis' campaign website, “Priorities,” accessed April 15, 2021
  42. Tim Hugo for Lt. Governor, “Meet Tim,” accessed April 15, 2021
  43. Maeve for Virginia, “Issues,” accessed April 15, 2021
  44. Winsome Sears , “Issues,” accessed April 15, 2021
  45. NBC News, "Here's the complicated way Virginia Republicans will pick their nominee for governor," March 25, 2021
  46. Republican Party of Virginia, "Plan of Organization," accessed April 2, 2021
  47. The Washington Post, "Virginia GOP ends months-long standoff on nomination method," March 13, 2021
  48. Virginia Scope, "How Virginia Republicans plan to execute an unassembled convention," April 30, 2021
  49. 49.00 49.01 49.02 49.03 49.04 49.05 49.06 49.07 49.08 49.09 49.10 49.11 49.12 49.13 Republican Party of Virginia, "Republican Party of Virginia 2021 Convention," accessed April 1, 2021
  50. 50.0 50.1 The Virginia Public Access Project, "The GOP's Convoluted Nomination Process," accessed April 1, 2021
  51. FairVote, "Electoral Systems," accessed July 7, 2017
  52. MinneapolisMN.gov, "Frequently Asked Questions about Ranked-Choice Voting," accessed July 7, 2017
  53. 53.0 53.1 Facebook, "Republican Party of Virginia," April 25, 2021
  54. Republican Party of Virginia, "2021 Unassembled Convention Polling Locations," accessed April 26, 2021
  55. VA Scope, "The Republican State Central Committee agrees to allow early voting in convention for religious reasons," April 25, 2021
  56. The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.



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Status: cached on November 18 2021 16:44:41
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