With Herring's victory, Democrats held all five statewide offices — including both U.S. Senate seats — for the first time since 1970.
The incumbent governor, Republican Bob McDonnell, was not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits established by the Virginia Constitution.
[5] Bolling withdrew from the race on November 28, 2012,[6] making Cuccinelli the de facto nominee.
[8] Robert Sarvis, a lawyer and businessman, was nominated as the Libertarian Party of Virginia's official candidate on April 21, 2013, at a special convention.
[12] This makes Sarvis the fourth minor party gubernatorial nominee to get on the Virginia ballot in the last 40 years.
[14] E. W. Jackson, a pastor, conservative activist and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012, was nominated after four ballots at the Republican convention.
[15][16] He defeated former state senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis,[17] State Delegate Scott Lingamfelter,[18] State Senator Steve Martin,[19] Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart,[20][21] Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Susan B. Stimpson[22] and venture capitalist and Fox News commentator Pete Snyder.
Obenshain requested a recount due to the close race, as allowed for by Virginia law when the margin is under 1%.
McDonnell's controversial transportation funding overhaul that imposed a $1.2 billion per year tax increase.
[32] In the June 11, 2013 primary, two veteran Republicans who supported the transportation plan were defeated: businessman Dave LaRock beat 33rd District Del.