Stoney’s exit leaves US Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) without a challenger in the Democratic primary to become the nominee in the governor’s race next year. The Democrats will hold their primary sometime in June 2025 and Spanberger, a prolific fundraiser, is likely to have a relatively easy path to the nomination, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “Spanberger will have a much clearer path,” Farnsworth said, adding the strength of her position will likely discourage others from jumping in the race.
