ROANOKE, Va. – The question as to who Virginia’s next lieutenant governor will now has fewer answers.
The Associated Press has projected that Hala Ayala will win the Democratic nomination in the Virginia lieutenant governor race.
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Ayala beat out Sam Rasoul, Andria McClellan, Mark Levine, Sean Perryman and Xavier Warren for the nomination.
Lt. Governor Primary
Although Elizabeth Guzman withdrew from the race in April, her name will still appear on the ballot.
Hala Ayala(D)
Sam Rasoul(D)
Andria McClellan(D)
Elizabeth Guzman(D)
Sean Perryman(D)
Mark Levine(D)
Xavier Warren(D)
(2,584 / 2,584)
In November, she’ll go against Republican Winsome Sears who won the nomination last month.
If either Ayala or Sears is elected Virginia will have its first female lieutenant general.
Below are how Ayala’s Democratic opponents reacted to her win:
“I congratulate Delegate Ayala on her victory tonight. It was an honor to run in the most diverse Lieutenant Governor’s primary in Virginia history, with a slate of candidates that truly looks like and represents all of Virginia, and I will be working hard to help elect Delegate Ayala this November.
Although it did not end in victory, I’m incredibly thankful for all the support our campaign, and that I personally, received from people all across Virginia. I thank my wife, Layaly, and our three children, Jennah, Amirah, and Issa, for all the love and joy they have given me. I thank my friends and mentors in Roanoke and my colleagues in the General Assembly for their years of guidance. And I thank everyone who joined us, from local elected officials and grassroots leaders to our campaign staff and volunteers across the Commonwealth, for their tireless work supporting our campaign.”
Sam Rasoul
“I want to extend my congratulations to Delegate Hala Ayala. I know she shares my values of expanding access to opportunity to every Virginian, regardless of circumstance, zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender-identity. Together as Democrats, we will continue the progress we’ve made to make Virginia a more inclusive commonwealth for all. I look forward to fighting alongside all of our nominees to maintain our three statewide offices and our majority in the House of Delegates this November.”
Andria McClellan
Tonight I can say something that many candidates who run for office can’t: I have no regrets about the courageously...
Posted by Sean Perryman for Virginia on Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Neither Mark Levine nor Xavier Warren has released a statement.