[1][2] State Senator Jennifer McClellan was declared the victor shortly after the polls closed, winning in a landslide against her Republican opponent.

Under Virginia law, the governor schedules the special election and political parties handle their nominating processes themselves.

Political analysts perceived the short timeline between the writ of election and the primary date as beneficial to candidates with institutional support.

The major candidates in the primary were state senators Jennifer McClellan, who was considered to be the establishment favorite, and "firebrand" Joe Morrissey.

Morrissey criticized the lack of polling locations in his Senate district and his campaign paid for a radio ad encouraging Republicans to vote for him.