Early voting for June 17 primaries begins today

Another election cycle is underway and early voting. begins today for the Democratic and Republican statewide primary on June 17.  However , Eastern Shore voters should not expect to have to wait in line at the voter registrar offices in Accomac and Eastville.

For the first time since taking office 10 years ago, Delegate Rob Bloxom will be running unopposed in November after his announced Democratic opponent failed to file paperwork by the deadline. State Senator Bill DeSteph will not again be on the ballot until 2027.

The Governor’s race is also set for Novemtert.Both parties already know who their candidates for governor will be. For Democrats, it’s former Rep. Abigail Spanberger; for Republicans, it’s Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. But Republicans are in an even more unique situation—they have their entire statewide ticket set. Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for reelection, and the GOP’s primary for lieutenant governor was canceled after Pat Herrity withdrew for health reasons, leaving Richmond talk show host John Reid as the automatic nominee.

Democrats, on the other hand, face competitive primaries. Six candidates are vying for the lieutenant governor nomination: Falls Church attorney Alex Bastani, Richmond state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Prince William County school board chair Babur Lateef, Virginia Beach state Sen. Aaron Rouse, former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado, and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Two are competing for the attorney general nomination: former Norfolk Del. Jay Jones and Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor.

Among the lieutenant governor candidates, Bastani and Salgado are the least known and have raised the least money. Stoney leads in fundraising overall, but Rouse had the most cash on hand in the most recent finance report.