This spring is the first time Virginia voters have had the 45-day early voting period before a full legislature election. Voting will continue through June 17 at 5 p.m. for the June 20 primary day. “That’s a big change from the way it used to be in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Where most of the votes were cast on election day, that’s just no longer the case here.” Early Voting Could Bump Lower Primary Turnout in Critical Upcoming Election (Williamsburg Yorktown Daily)

“The key issue in this contest is who can present themselves as the most compelling ideological reflection of this conservative district,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “While both candidates are conservative, the primary will be shaped by the extent to which being a combative Republican is better than being a productive Republican.”

Dels. March and Williams have already faced each other in court. Now they face off in a primary (Cardinal News)

Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said primary voters are looking for ways to differentiate candidates from the same party. “Impressions matter a lot in primary campaigns because voters don’t have that Democratic versus Republican partisan cue,” Farnsworth said. “What candidates often do is talk about how they are like another (elected official), implying that there may be an endorsement -- without actually saying that there is an endorsement -- when there is not.” Local GOP candidate for state delegate says opponent’s mailers falsely imply Youngkin’s endorsement (Prince William Times)

“That’s a big change from the way it used to be in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Where most of the votes were cast on election day, that’s just no longer the case here.”

Early voting could bump primary turnout in critical upcoming election (The Virginian-Pilot)

“Given the Democratic gains over the last several election cycles, I think a number of Democrats are thinking they might be okay with a more liberal nominee, that they might be able to win regardless,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, the professor of Political Science at the University of Mary Washington. “And so, you're looking at a whole series of Democratic incumbents who are facing challenges, more aggressive challengers than they have seen in primaries in years past, challengers who are making an argument that the party needs to be more liberal."

Who’ll control the House and Senate? Early voting begins for Virginia primary elections (WJLA)

“Ben Cardin took his job seriously. He looked at budgets, he looked at Medicaid and healthcare financing issues, and a lot of people have benefited from this serious attention. … It’s always a sad day when the number of serious Senators in Washington drops by one,” said Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science at the University of Mary Washington.

Senator Ben Cardin will retire in 2024. Who might his successor be? (DC News Now)