Spanberger, Hashmi and Miyares leading statewide races according to new VCU poll

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- New polling shows that while Democrat Abigail Spanberger has a comfortable lead in the Virginia governor’s race, the races for lieutenant governor and attorney general are much closer. 

According to a new poll from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears by seven points (49%-42%) in the Virginia governor’s race. 

“At least judging by the polls, you’d much rather be Abigail Spanberger than Winsome Earle-Sears,” said Larry Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi leads Republican John Reid 44%-43% in the race for lieutenant governor. 

“John Reid has been everywhere, and you can't say he hasn't worked hard, because he has. I mean, he’s been in every small community and not just the big ones,” Sabato told 8News. “I’m less familiar with Ghazala Hashmi’s schedule or what her strategy is.”

In the race for attorney general, it’s Republican incumbent Jason Miyares who holds a three-point lead (45%-42%) over Democrat Jay Jones in one of the first polls released since we learned Jones sent violent texts to a former colleague in 2022. 

“Jay Jones has had a terrible, terrible October, and that has clearly lost momentum for him and added to Jason Miyares' momentum. That is undoubtedly, I think, gonna be the closest race of the night, regardless of which one of them wins,” Sabato said.

Meanwhile, 47% of registered voters say they prefer a Democratic majority in the House of Delegates. That’s compared to 44% who prefer a Republican majority.