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Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity launched his campaign for Virginia lieutenant governor on Jan. 4, joining a seven-candidate field ahead of the 2025 election.
Herrity, who represents the Springfield District and is the only Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, announced his candidacy in a social media video. He and John Curran are the two Republicans in the race, while five Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination.
Calling himself “the liberal board’s worst nightmare,” Herrity highlighted his opposition to a proposed meals tax and policies involving school closures, masking and parental participation. He also pointed to his support for law enforcement funding and changes to county employee compensation programs that he said saved taxpayers money.
Herrity framed his campaign as an extension of the Republican agenda advanced by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who took office in 2022 after winning the 2021 election. Virginia’s Constitution prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms, making Youngkin ineligible to seek immediate reelection.
Herrity said Republicans should elect Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears as governor and return Attorney General Jason Miyares to office. Earle-Sears, elected lieutenant governor in 2021, announced her gubernatorial campaign in November 2024.
Taxes, schools and immigration
Herrity’s platform includes lowering taxes, strengthening public safety and directing more school resources toward students and teachers instead of administration and political priorities.
He also supports eliminating Virginia’s locally imposed car tax and ending taxes on tips, positions promoted by Youngkin.
On immigration enforcement, Herrity said local governments that refuse to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should lose state funding. He argued that stronger cooperation is needed to address violent crime committed by people in the country illegally.
A crowded field
Curran, Herrity’s only Republican opponent, previously ran unsuccessfully for a James City County Board of Supervisors seat representing the Berkeley District in 2023.
The five Democratic candidates are Prince William County School Board Chairman Babur B. Lateef; Virginia Beach state Sen. Aaron R. Rouse; Arlington federal prosecutor Victor Salgado; former Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney; and Chesterfield state Sen. Ghazala F. Hashmi.
Virginia’s lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and votes when the chamber is tied. The officeholder is also first in the line of succession to the governor.
Herrity argued that his electoral experience in heavily populated Northern Virginia could help Republicans win statewide. “I’ve won here before, and I will do it again as your lieutenant governor,” he said.
Virginia’s primary elections are scheduled for June 17, 2025, followed by the general election on Nov. 4, 2025.