2017Final results
2017 election for Virginia Governor
Governor · Virginia
Ralph Shearer Northam (D) won with 53.9% of the vote, defeating Edward Walter Gillespie (R) by 8.9 points.
Ralph Shearer NorthamDemocrat · winner
53.9%1,408,818
Edward Walter GillespieRepublican
45.0%1,175,732
Clifford Daniel HyraLibertarian
1.1%27,987
2,614,065 votes
Source: Virginia Department of ElectionsUpdated Oct 8, 2026, 6:11 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2017
Races before and after
Source: Virginia Department of ElectionsUpdated Oct 8, 2026, 6:11 AM ET
The candidates
Ralph Shearer Northam (D)Edward Walter Gillespie (R)
Also on the ballot: Clifford Daniel Hyra (Libertarian), 1.1%