With control of Congress and competitive governorships on the line in 2026, the Democratic National Committee is launching an ambitious grassroots organizing effort with an early emphasis on the 2025 elections in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In a call with party leaders and members of the media, the DNC launched an “organizing summer” campaign that will aim to increase state and local level engagement. The campaign aims to mobilize thousands of volunteers, register voters, and leverage opposition to the GOP in anticipation of the 2026 midterms. According to DNC Chairman Ken Martin, “It will be the largest investment ever from the DNC in organizing.”
Virginias off-year elections have long served as a critical early signal of national sentiment – and they tend to punish the political party that captured the White House the year before. Martin proclaimed to the media that the 2025 elections in Virginia will be “the catalyst for the blue wave that is coming for Republicans in 2026.” Martin also promised a “seven-figure investment” in Virginia to ensure that the candidates receive the resources they need.
Lamont Bagby, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, emphasized that “the whole world is looking to see what happens here in Virginia and New Jersey this year.” Both legislative and executive races are up for grabs in the Commonwealth as Democrats seek to reverse their 2021 defeat in the election between former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger will face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the governors race.
Both gubernatorial campaigns have focused on lowering costs for Virginians. Earle-Sears has advocated for eliminating Virginias car tax and removing regulations that drive up costs, while Spanberger has emphasized her plan to incentivize new housing construction and improve energy affordability and efficiency.
The Republican Governors Association has announced a plan to support Virginia, committing an initial investment of $500,000 to Earle-Sears campaign. Ultimately, the RGA is prepared to disburse several million dollars to keep Virginia red, according to Punchbowl. In May, the Earle-Sears campaign announced a seven figure advertising plan to target markets in Virginia. The Democratic Governors Association has also invested $5 million in Spanbergers campaign.
The financial race is not limited to the top of the ticket. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares faces a challenge to his reelection from Democratic former Delegate Jay Jones. The Democratic Attorneys General Association announced a $1 million investment in Jones campaign. The Republican Attorneys General Association has also committed to being “all in” on backing Miyares reelection campaign.
Legislative elections for Virginias House of Delegates are also a top priority for both parties. Republicans gained a majority in the lower chamber following their 2021 victories, but Democrats flipped it back in 2023 and now hold a narrow 51-49 edge. In the Virginia Senate, where there are no elections until 2027, Democrats currently hold a 21-19 majority.
DNC leadership has indicated that its messaging, both nationally and in Virginia, will be focused on appealing to working class voters. As a part of this effort, Martin blasted President Trumps “Big Beautiful Bill,” claiming that the tax measure, which passed the House Thursday and was signed by President Trump on Friday, constituted “the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich” in the countrys history. “Not only is it the biggest cut in the history of Medicaid,” Martin said, “its the biggest job killing bill in modern history.”
Republicans hope to replicate Youngkins 2021 success that focused on improving the Commonwealths schools and creating a larger role for parents in the Virginia education system. To add to this, Earle-Sears has pushed for promoting school choice policies to give Virginia parents more control over their childrens education.
Democrats hope for a decisive victory in Virginia in order to build momentum for the 2026 midterms. Kamala Harris carried the state by 5 points, and Cook Political Report rates the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race as “leans Democratic.”
Current RCP polling averages for the Virginia gubernatorial election show Spanberger with a small advantage, but Earle-Sears current deficit remains comparable to where Gov. Youngkin stood as late as August of 2021 prior to his victory.
Not only do Virginias elections stand as a proving ground for national strategy, they also act as an interim report card one year after the preceding presidential election. According to a Time magazine article, Youngkins election was seen as a “beacon of hope” in the aftermath of Joe Bidens election as president. Whether Virginia becomes a springboard for a Democratic resurgence or a major symbolic and strategic boost for Republicans, the results this November will resonate far beyond the states borders.
James Eustis is an intern at RealClearPolitics. He studies politics at Washington & Lee University.
