"Everyone looks to see what the political temperature is—whether the party in the White House is doing well or not. Now, with a post-Trump-era Republican field forming and Democrats eyeing momentum, Virginia’s 2025 race may again be shaped more by D.C. than Richmond. "Meanwhile, Winsome Sears, the Republican candidate, rarely mentions it. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears is positioning herself as a Youngkin-style candidate, while her running mate, John Reid, is seen as more aligned with Trump. Asked how to categorize Virginia politically heading into 2025, Shirazi said: "It’s probably best described as a light blue state.