A look at two major primary elections that will determine Virginia Democrats’ ticket for 2025

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- On June 17, Virginians will determine the Democratic Party candidate in Virginia's lieutenant governor and attorney general races this November. Here's a look at the candidates vying for their favor.

Republican candidates already decided

The Republican nominees for all three of Virginia's major statewide offices have already been chosen.

Lt. Gov. Winsome-Earle Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares became the Republican nominees for governor and attorney general, respectively, after they were the only candidates to submit the necessary number of signatures to appear on the primary ballot.

Former radio host John Reid became the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor after his primary opponent, Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, withdrew from the race for health reasons.

Democrats still to be chosen

Former U.S. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger was the only Democrat to submit the necessary number of signatures to appear on the primary ballot, making her the Democratic nominee for governor.

That leaves the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor and attorney general as the only statewide races up for grabs in the June primary election -- and there are multiple candidates interested in securing those nominations.

8News is your Local Election Headquarters. Here's a breakdown of who the candidates are, their qualifications and their platforms.

MORE: What you need to know about Virginia's 2025 primary elections

Democratic Candidates for Lieutenant Governor

Virginia Democrats have six candidates to choose from when selecting their nominee for lieutenant governor, including two sitting senators and a former mayor of Richmond.

Ghazala Hashmi

Ghazala Hashmi is a current state senator who represents District 15, made up of parts of Chesterfield County and the city of Richmond. She is also the chair of the Senate's Education and Health Committee.

When she began her first Senate term in 2020, Hashmi became both the first Muslim and the first South Asian American to serve in Virginia's General Assembly.

A former educator, Hashmi's legislative priorities have historically centered around public education. Other areas of focus for her include "voting rights and the preservation of democracy, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, the environment, housing and affordable healthcare access," per her campaign website.

“We need someone who, as lieutenant governor, can serve as a strong bridge between the executive branch [and] the legislative chambers,” Hashmi previously told 8News. “Making sure that we’re focused on policy decisions that are really going to have an impact on Virginia’s families.”

She has been openly critical of President Donald Trump's administration, speaking at events like Richmond's "Hands Off!" rally, which was part of a nationwide day of protest.

You can read more about Hashmi's platform and her stances on issues here.

Aaron Rouse

Aaron Rouse is a current state senator who represents District 22, which includes parts of Virginia Beach.

Rouse's career history includes time spent in the NFL, where he was a draft pick for the Green Bay Packers. He also played for the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals. He also previously served on the Virginia Beach City Council.

"Aaron always leads the fight on what matters most," his campaign website states. "In the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, Aaron stepped up to take on Glenn Youngkin’s hand-picked candidate for State Senate, flipping a red seat to blue and becoming the deciding vote to protect abortion rights in Virginia."

Other priorities of Rouse's include "making housing more affordable, tax relief for seniors and families, reducing healthcare costs and investing in our kids' education."

Like Hashmi, Rouse has also spoken out against the Trump administration, including drafting and passing legislation meant to "protect federal workers and contractors from Trump and Musk's chaos," per his campaign.

You can read more about Rouse's platform and his stances on issues here.

Levar Stoney

Levar Stoney is a former Richmond mayor, having served two terms between 2017 and 2024.

At the time of his mayoral election, Stoney was only 35 years old, making him the youngest person to ever lead the River City.

During his farewell address, Stoney celebrated work done during his time in office, including the removal of Confederate monuments from Richmond, the start of the Diamond District project and further work on the Shockoe Project. He said he believed diversity was Richmond's strongest asset.

"Levar Stoney is running for Lt. Governor of Virginia to build a thriving Virginia where everyone has a fair shot at success," his campaign website states. "He understands the challenges working families face and knows they do not have time to waste. As Lt. Governor, he will do what he did as Mayor -- and dig right in and get things done."

Stoney's priorities include supporting local businesses and creating jobs, public education, affordable housing and healthcare access, including access to abortions.

You can read more about Stoney's platform and his stances on issues here.

Babur Lateef

Dr. Babur Lateef, an ophthalmologist, is currently the chairman of the Prince William County School Board. He also leads the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System Board.

Lateef's main areas of focus include healthcare and public education, which he has prioritized in his current roles. For example, he is "widely recognized for helping lead [Prince William County Public Schools] safely through the [COVID-19] pandemic," according to his campaign.

Additionally, Lateef oversaw pay increases for county teachers, as well as the addition of counselors and mental health providers in "record number[s]."

At UVA, Lateef has reportedly worked to "expand healthcare access, protect access for women and children, address nursing shortages, improve quality and oversee historic investments in medical research and biotechnology."

"It’s crucial Virginia has a Lt. Governor who is dedicated to expanding our Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, as well as fighting for the issues that matter most," Lateef's campaign website states. "Dr. Lateef is committed to using creative solutions and public-private partnerships to implement these types of programs without burdening taxpayers."

You can read more about Lateef's platform and his stances on issues here.

Alexander Bastani

Alexander Bastani is an attorney, a former union president and a Northern Virginia native.

He served the federal government for 34 years while also coaching at Yorktown High School in Arlington. Bastani also led a local union for over a decade.

Bastani has centered his platform on fighting for Virginia workers and, in doing so, has taken a firm stance against the Trump administration.

"I’m running because the leaders who let Donald Trump take the White House and Glenn Youngkin stroll into the Governor’s mansion have lost the plot, and they can’t be trusted with our future," Bastani states on his campaign website. "I’m running because in the richest country on Earth, having a family should not be a luxury. Because workers have shattered productivity records while their paychecks barely budge. Because the fight for decency is dismissed as radicalism, while greed is praised as moderation."

Related priorities include raising the minimum wage, establishing universal healthcare, ending right to work and providing free college opportunities.

You can read more about Bastani's platform and his stances on issues here.

Victor Salgado

Victor Salgado is a law professor and former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

As a senior litigation counsel with the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, Salgado investigated and prosecuted bribery of public officials, election crimes and other offenses associated with government integrity.

"As your next Lieutenant Governor, Victor will be a tireless advocate for all Virginians, building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Commonwealth," his campaign website states. "With the challenges we face from Washington, Victor is ready to lead the fight in Richmond and ensure Virginia remains a place where everyone can thrive."

Salgado's priorities include reforming campaign finance, protecting Virginia's workforce, guaranteeing abortion access and supporting local entrepreneurs.

The son of immigrants, Salgado is invested in ensuring a "just immigration system" -- which he said is compromised by the Trump administration's decision to "strain our resources by deputizing our police officers and sheriffs to ask for your papers if you look like [Salgado] or his daughters."

You can read more about Salgado's platform and his stances on issues here.

Democratic Candidates for Attorney General

Two candidates are trying to win Virginia Democrats' support when it comes to the attorney general ticket.

Jay Jones

Jay Jones is a former state delegate who represented Norfolk from 2018 to 2021. He also previously served as Assistant Attorney General.

Jones is a Virginia native and the descendant of enslaved Black Americans.

"Like his family, Jay is dedicated to ensuring his community and Commonwealth embraces every family -- no matter who you are or where you come from," his campaign website states.

While serving in the House of Delegates, Jones "protected abortion rights, expanded Medicaid and gave teachers annual pay raises, per his campaign website. He also wrote legislation founding the "Ashanti Alert," a missing persons alert that is now used nationwide.

Other priorities for Jones include protecting Virginians from crime and gun violence, preventing price gouging and safeguarding the Commonwealth's workforce.

Jones has spoken out against Miyares, previously calling him an "eager accomplice" for Trump and adding that he believes Miyares has used his office "to advance his own radical, ideological agenda, not [to] protect Virginians."

You can read more about Jones' platform and his stances on issues here.

Shannon Taylor

Shannon Taylor is the current Commonwealth's Attorney for Henrico County, a position she has held since 2012.

When she first took her position with Henrico, Taylor became the first woman the county has had in the role. In the years since then, she has prosecuted high-profile cases, focused on expanding diversity within the office and invested in rehabilitation opportunities.

“I am ready to bring my 28 years of actual experience in the courtroom, my decade of running one of the largest Commonwealth’s Attorney’s offices, my successes in fighting hate and bigotry, and my years of keeping communities safe to the Attorney General’s office to ensure progressive, responsive leadership for ALL Virginians,” Taylor said in a previous statement.

Her priorities include keeping Virginians safe from crime, lowering costs, preventing gun violence and "addressing systemic racism and discrimination from the judicial system," per her campaign website. She also advocates for abortion access.

She has also spoken out against the Trump administration, previously criticizing "MAGA extremists push[ing] laws that punish women for making private healthcare decisions." She added that "women need to fight back."

You can read more about Taylor's platform and her stances on issues here.

For more information on both the June primaries and the November elections, visit the Virginia Department of Elections' website.