NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Virginians head to the polls this coming Tuesday to pick their next governor. But the results may also serve as a referendum on President Trump's first 10 months in office, and offer clues of what to expect across the country in next year’s midterms. Liz Landers catches up with the candidates and the voters.
Correction: This segment referred to Abigail Spanberger as a former CIA analyst. She is actually a former CIA officer. We regret the error.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who are the Democratic and Republican candidates running for office in Virginia and what are their background?
- When is election day for the 2025 race?
- What are the key issues that have been raised by voters in this race?
- Why has the federal government shutdown been a key topic of debate in the Virginia governor's election?
- How might the Virginia election be an indicator of what is to come in the 2026 midterms?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- If you were voting for governor in your state, what would you look for in a candidate? What issues matter the most to you?
- Why do think so-called "culture war" issues affect some voters and not others? Why are some of these issues popular in one election cycle and not the next cycle?
Media literacy: There was a correction issued in this piece. See above. Why do news outlets issue corrections? How does this make the news organization more credible?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Check out the other major races happening across the country on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Are there elections taking place where you live? How could you find out?
You can choose stories from News Hour's Vote 2025 tag (including the stories below):
Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa clash in final New York City mayoral debate
A look at the New Jersey governor’s race and its national implications
Why Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court election has national implications
What to know about Maine’s tumultuous Senate primary race
Maine and Texas latest fronts in voting battles, with voter ID, citizenship on the ballot
Discussion questions: What stands out about the election? Who is running? What are the issues being discussed? Are there other aspects that have drawn attention in the press? As a voter or potential voter one day, are these aspects important to you? What matters to you most as a voter?
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