This is the 2017 race. The latest: 2025 →

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
45.0%1,175,732
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

EvenD+5.92005R+17.42009D+2.52013D+8.92017R+1.92021D+15.42025

Source: Virginia Department of ElectionsUpdated Oct 8, 2026, 6:11 AM ET

The candidates