Current:Home > InvestRichmond Mayor Stoney drops Virginia governor bid, he will run for lieutenant governor instead -Thrive Money Mindset
Richmond Mayor Stoney drops Virginia governor bid, he will run for lieutenant governor instead
View
Date:2025-04-17 10:53:54
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced Tuesday that he is dropping his bid for Virginia governor in 2025 and will instead 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.
When Stoney entered the gubernatorial race in December, it set up a Democratic nomination contest with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer who has cultivated an identity as a bipartisan consensus builder over three terms in Congress.
After growing up in a working poor family, Stoney said he got into public service and the governor’s race to make sure families like his get a fair shot at success. As he spent the last few weeks with his wife and their new daughter, he said he thought about the future he wanted for his daughter and all Virginia families.
Stoney said it was not an easy decision. There was a path to victory in the gubernatorial race, but he said it was narrow and he believed running for lieutenant governor was the right path for him, his family, the Democratic party and Virginia’s future.
“As LG, I believe I can be an effective advocate for Virginia families to ensure that everyone in our state does in fact get that fair shot at success. Given everything at stake in the next Governor’s race — from reproductive rights to education funding and tax fairness — I believe this is a time when Democrats must stand united and avoid an ugly primary for Governor.”
No Republicans have announced campaigns for governor yet, though state Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are seen as likely contenders. Under state law, Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin cannot seek a second consecutive term.
Virginia State Sen. Aaron Rouse also announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor Tuesday morning. The retired NFL player and former Virginia Beach councilman said Democrats must retake control of statewide offices in 2025.
“I’ve built my career on winning in tough spots when it matters — whether it be under the glare of NFL lights or flipping the State Senate seat needed to ensure we blocked Republicans’ assaults on reproductive freedom and voting rights,” Rouse said.
veryGood! (99)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Ryan Reynolds, Randall Park recreate 'The Office' bit for John Krasinksi's 'IF' teaser
- Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce at Super Bowl Opening Night: Taylor Swift is 'unbelievable'
- Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Tracklist Seemingly Hints at Joe Alwyn Breakup Songs
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Connecticut remains No.1, while Kansas surges up the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Kelsea Ballerini shuts down gossip about her reaction to Grammys loss: 'Hurtful to everyone'
- Who hosted the 2024 Grammy Awards? All about Trevor Noah
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Illinois man gets 5 years for trying to burn down planned abortion clinic
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Washington carjacking crime spree claims life of former Trump official
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard to Explore Life After Prison Release in New Docuseries
- Jam Master Jay dabbled in drug sales ‘to make ends meet,’ witness testifies
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- New Mexico Republicans vie to challenge incumbent senator and reclaim House swing district
- Maine must release voter rolls to conservative group, court says
- Sailor missing more than 2 weeks arrives in Hawaii, Coast Guard says
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs drove me to tears with 'Fast Car' Grammys duet. It's a good thing.
What Selena Gomez’s Friend Nicola Peltz Beckham Thinks of Her Benny Blanco Romance
South Dakota man charged with murder for allegedly running down chief deputy during police chase
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Amazon’s The Drop Honors Black Creators With Chic Size-Inclusive Collections Ranging From XXS to 5X
Heidi Klum Reveals One Benefit of 16-Year Age Gap With Husband Tom Kaulitz
Gambling, education, election bills before Alabama lawmakers in 2024