Virginia State Capitol Photo: Anderskev/Wikipedia
A neck and neck race between Democratic Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie has raised the stakes for both parties as the election result will be seen as a political barometer on the national politics.
Besides gubernatorial races, all 100 seats in Virginia state assembly are up for grabs.
However, it is the voter turnout and any swings among undecided voters that could determine the outcome of the race.
Among the issues topping as concerns with Virginians are economy, jobs, health care, taxes and immigration.
Analysts see the result from the tight race as a verdict on President Donald Trump’s policies. He encouraged Virginians to vote Ed Gillespie in a tweet on Monday. Earlier Mike Pence also expressed support for the Republican candidate. Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joseph Biden also visited the state to back the Democratic candidate. Hillary Clinton had won the state in 2016 presidential election.
![By Drf5n (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.viewsnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/VA_2016_Redistricting.png)
Virginia Congressional districts map for the 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections Credit : Drf5n/ Wikimedia Commons
According to a Roanoke College Poll of 781 voters from October 29 to November 2, Democrat candidate Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie were tied 47%-47%.
In the race for lieutenant governor, Democrat Justin Fairfax and Republican Jill Vogel are tied (45%-45%) while incumbent Democrat Mark Herring and Republican John Adams are also tied (46%-46%) in the attorney general race.
