Virginia’s 2021 gubernatorial election results stunned American political observers and pundits alike—casting doubt on Democratic Party electoral prospects for 2022 and beyond.
On Tuesday, Republicans swept all statewide contests —Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General— for the first time in 12 years. Additionally, they flipped a chamber of Virginia’s General Assembly, the House of Delegates, back to the Republican column in a state President Joe Biden won by double digits.
Independents and even Biden voters crossed their way over to deliver a crushing blow to former Governor Terry McAuliffe and his party. And in the process, Republicans made history garnering the most votes for a gubernatorial contest and by voting in the first black woman and first Hispanic into top state governmental positions.
To understand what exactly has happened in Virginia, it’s important to look back at history. During off-year elections, voters typically elect the out-of-power party. In this case, the Republicans. Voters, here, have greatly soured on the 46th president and feel lawmakers in our state capital shifted too far to the left. They were also fatigued to see the 2020 election rehashed and litigated endlessly by Democrats as former President Donald Trump is out-of-office.
In contrast, voters were greatly concerned about rising gas prices, inflation, education reform, taxes, and similar issues affecting them locally. These results were a clear referendum on Democratic, left-wing policies statewide and nationally. And, as a result, this political upset here in the Commonwealth of Virginia can foreshadow what’s to come in the 2022 midterm elections.