Virginia will make history this November when voters choose the state’s first woman governor.
With early voting underway, former Gov. Doug Wilder and political experts gathered Thursday to explain why the 2025 race matters far beyond the state.
The event, called the Wilder Symposium, was held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. Wilder, the nation’s first elected Black governor, joined a panel of scholars and analysts to talk about Virginia’s unique role in American politics.
“Virginia didn’t want to have an election at the same time as the national election because more people would be voting,” Wilder said. “The smaller the number of people voting, the better it would be for them. New Jersey followed that example. Democracy clearly depends on the people’s voices to be heard.”
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Bellwether for national issues
Virginia is one of only two states, along with New Jersey, that will elect a governor this year. Panelists said the commonwealth often serves as a bellwether for the country, with issues like reproductive rights, immigration, education, and the rising cost of living shaping campaigns.
“It’s individuals who are in the lower middle class, those who are lower income earners who are really being dramatically impacted by the cost of inflation, the cost of groceries, the cost of day-to-day items,” said Susan T. Gooden, dean of the VCU Wilder School.
Republican has emphasized cultural issues such as , drawing national attention. But political analyst Bob Holsworth said while the issue may on the defensive, most Virginians are focused on pocketbook issues.
“My sense is, the public is more concerned about the cost of living and education,” Holsworth said. “Ultimately, this won’t be good enough by itself.”
Independent voters hold the balance
The symposium also shared new findings from the . Independent voters are growing in number and influence across Virginia. Nearly half remain undecided in all three statewide races.
“It most importantly shows that Virginians, and most specifically these independents, are issue-by-issue based decision makers,” said Robyn Diehl McDougle, associate dean of research and outreach.
“There is no constituency that can be taken for granted,” added VCU Professor Niraj Verma.
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Wilder, who was elected governor of Virginia in 1989, reminded the audience that Virginia has always been central to the nation’s story.
“When the nation was founded, it was founded with hope,” he said. “People were leaving autocracies. They were leaving places where they couldn’t be heard. America is still in search of itself, searching to find out that promise.”
The VCU Wilder School will release its final Commonwealth Poll at the end of October, just before Election Day.