Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Tuesday officially ended his gubernatorial campaign, instead declaring he will seek the Democratic Party’s nomination to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.
Stoney will no longer challenge Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) to become Virginia’s next Democratic candidate for governor, and switched races on the same day State Senator Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor.
In a statement posted to the social media platform X, Stoney confirmed he was motivated to switch races by his desire to “avoid a costly and damaging primary” as Democrats seek to regain control of Virginia’s executive branch of government in 2025.
Stoney (pictured above, left) stated, “while there was a path to victory, it was a narrow path and after consideration, I firmly believe that running for LG is the right move for me and my family, the right move for the Democratic Party, the right move for the future of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
After discussion with my family, I have decided that running to be the next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia is the right choice.
Together, we are going to take back our Commonwealth in 2025. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/YW9FP01yWs
— Mayor Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) April 23, 2024
A spokesman for Spanberger, the former CIA officer who raised millions more than Stoney, told CBS 6 that “Virginians are uniting” behind the Democrat’s campaign after Stoney ended his candidacy for governor.
Rouse (pictured above, right) declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor in an X post published approximately 30 minutes after Stoney’s, and later announced endorsements from State Senators Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) and L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth).
“Few people fight as fiercely for hardworking Virginians every day as Senate President pro tempore Madam Louise Lucas,” wrote Rouse, declaring he is “thankful” for the support from the influential Democrat.
Few people fight as fiercely for hardworking Virginians every day as Senate President pro tempore Madam Louise Lucas. I am thankful to have her support for my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. @SenLouiseLucas pic.twitter.com/DvkI3JH216
— Aaron Rouse (@AaronRouseVA) April 23, 2024
It remains unclear whether Stoney will receive significant support from popular Democrats. Former Governor Terry McAuliffe previously endorsed his bid for governor, but Axios reported he has already endorsed Prince William County School Board Chair Babur B. Lateef for the position.
Rouse previously won the January 2023 special election to fill the state senate seat left vacant following the victory of Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) during the 2022 midterm elections, ultimately winning by about 350 votes. Voters returned him to office last November in a 10-point landslide victory.
The state constitution limits Governor Glenn Youngkin to one term. Merle Rutledge is the only Republican to declare his candidacy, though Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears are both considered likely candidates.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mayor Levar Stoney” by Mayor Levar Stoney. Photo “Senator Aaron Rouse” by Senator Aaron Rouse. Background Photo “Virginia Capitol” by Martin Kraft. CC BY-SA 3.0.
