Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Tuesday dropped out of the race to be Virginia’s next governor and instead will run for lieutenant governor.
“After careful consideration with my family, I believe that the best way to ensure that all Virginia families do get the change they deserve is for our party to come together, avoid a costly and damaging primary and, for me to run instead for Lieutenant Governor,” Stoney said in a statement.
“This was not an easy decision – especially given that my campaign has received a lot of support from all corners of the Commonwealth and I am so appreciative of that support. And 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.”
Stoney posted his full statement on social media.
His decision to step aside paves the way for NoVA’s Abigail Spanberger to be the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial nominee for the the Democrats. Spanberger, who represents Northern Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, announced in November that she would run for governor.
Republicans expected to seek their party’s nomination for governor include Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Virginia law prohibits governors from serving back-to-back terms.
Feature image of Levar Stoney courtesy City of Richmond
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