2025 Virginia General Election Jewish Voters’ Guide

Candidate for Governor Democrat, Democrat

Abigail Spanberger

1) I believe the most pressing issues facing Virginians are the rising cost of living, the strength of our public schools, and the need for safer communities. (See complete Response at Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) There is no place for violence in our democracy — ever. We must all stand united against extremism and antisemitism. I will be vocal in denouncing this unacceptable hatred.

In Congress, I was a fierce supporter of efforts to combat and condemn antisemitism, and I will do the same as Governor. I will make sure there are consequences for hatred. I will ensure the Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights is appropriately staffed and supported, and I will bring the full weight of this office against antisemitic hate crimes.

As Governor, I will work to coordinate with state and local law enforcement to ensure everyone who wishes to exercise their right of free speech is safe, and that law enforcement has the resources they need to protect our communities and combat antisemitic actions.

Finally, as Governor, I will use my voice and position to show up for impacted communities. I will work with local Jewish community organizations to ensure the Commonwealth – and the Office of the Governor – is an active partner in combating antisemitism. I commit to showing up for the Jewish community, both in times of celebration and commemoration.

3) I believe all students deserve to feel safe at school. Antisemitism has no place in our education system. Working to combat antisemitism will be a top priority for me – as it should be for all elected officials.

Officials at all levels must guard against the intimidation of Jewish students, rising antisemitism, and threats of violence against fellow students. My Administration will not tolerate antisemitism in any form.

The tragic, hate-fueled attacks of recent years targeting Jewish people remind us that working to keep these institutions safe is essential, not optional. I will ensure that allegations of antisemitic actions and hate speech in educational settings are thoroughly investigated. And I will actively work with my Department of Education, as well as Virginia’s schools and institutions of higher education, to communicate best practices and resources to combat antisemitism — so every student is able to feel safe.

As Governor, I will work to ensure students of all ages have age appropriate, accurate lessons on historically significant events. Specifically, I will ensure all school districts are actively pursuing and correctly educating students on the history of the Holocaust. I will revitalize the work of Virginia’s Culturally Relevant and Inclusive Education Practices Advisory Committee, created by the General Assembly in 2020, to ensure my Administration is an active partner in this work.

Candidate for Governor Democrat, Republican

Winsome Earle-Sears

1) A) Maintaining a strong economy.
B) Investing in an education system that gives our children the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
C) Public safety. 

(See complete Response at Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) Let me be clear: there is no place for antisemitism in our society.

The reason why my family immigrated here from Jamaica is because America is special—everyone is equal under the law. The explosion in antisemitism has been exacerbated by public officials who refuse to protect Jewish students’ civil rights as mandated by federal law.

We need a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism and that starts with holding bad actors accountable.

My plan for combating antisemitism is three-pronged:
1) We need to ensure that law enforcement has a closer, collaborative relat-
tionship with the Jewish community and works with community leaders to understand the unique security risks

Jewish communities face (for example, attending synagogue on Shabbat and the holidays). It’s imperative that law enforcement are empowered to prevent antisemitic attacks and prosecute those that occur.

2) My administration will work with advisers from the Jewish community to identify public and private institutions that foster or enable antisemitism. We will use the full force of the law to shame these institutions, charge them, and eliminate their funding.
3) We need to invest in education that prevents the spreading of antisemitism
and hatred in our schools and universities.

As governor, it is my job to make sure that all citizens of the Commonwealth are protected and able to lead peaceful and prosperous lives free of violence and discrimination. There should be no doubt that this applies unequivocally to the at least 165,000 Jewish Virginians as well.

3) Schools must prioritize our children’s education and safety, and that includes our Jewish students. Schools need to understand the important role they play in preventing the spread of antisemitism.

We need to make sure our curriculum provides both students and staff with a greater understanding of antisemitism, its history, and its dangerous repercussions.

Finally, I will have a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism. My administration will use the full force of the law to hold bad actors accountable. Federal law protects all students’ rights, including Jewish students. Those that do not abide by the law, will suffer the consequences.

Let me be clear: as Governor, I will not tolerate hate and violence against the Jewish community. I am ready to take any and all actions I can take against them, and I’ll be working hand in hand with the Jewish community to make sure we are taking this crisis as seriously as we possibly can.

Candidate for Lt. Governor, Democrat

Ghazala Hashmi

1) (See Response at
Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) Hate has no home in Virginia or anywhere in our country, and as Lt. Governor, I will not hesitate to call out and work to stave off antisemitic rhetoric and actions. While antisemitism has always been a stain on our country, there is no denying that antisemitic incidents have exponentially increased since the horrors of October 7, 2023. We have seen a troubling surge in hateful, antisemitic rhetoric from both extremes of the ideological spectrum. We must take strong and unequivocal stands against any language or behavior that promotes or legitimizes violence against Jews. That includes slogans such as “globalize the intifada” as well as the actions of public figures who grant legitimacy to avowed antisemites like Nick Fuentes. It is also critical to recognize that criticism of Israel’s government often crosses the line into antisemitism. As with any foreign government, Americans, including American Jews, hold a wide range of views on Israeli policies. We as elected leaders have a responsibility to be crystal clear on a simple truth: American Jews do not bear responsibility for the actions of the Israeli government—or any other foreign government. Criticism of a foreign government’s politics does not justify hatred toward a people, nor should it be used as an excuse to target the Jewish community with harmful rhetoric or violence. As Lt. Governor, I will continue to speak out against antisemitism wherever I see it. I have carried and voted for multiple bills to combat antisemitic hate crimes over the last few years in the State Senate. I will stand firmly for the right of Jewish Americans to live peacefully and securely in Virginia and across the country, and I will call on my colleagues in government to do the same.

3) As a young girl, I remember being deeply affected by reading The Diary of Anne Frank and learning about the horrors of the Holocaust. The lessons I took from her words, especially about the consequences of staying silent in the face of injustice, have stayed with me throughout my life. Today’s students are increasingly exposed to online content and influencers who spread conspiracy theories targeting minority groups. Some of the most dangerous of these are age-old antisemitic lies, repackaged for a modern audience. It is essential that students understand the origins and evolution of these antisemitic conspiracies, and that we teach the broader history of antisemitism and the devastation it has caused. We must help our children recognize that America’s greatest strength lies in its diversity, and that the Jewish-American community has long been an integral part of our nation’s rich cultural fabric. As a former university professor, I deeply respect the rights of students to free speech and open inquiry. But we must be clear that free speech does not give license to spread hate or justify violence. On too many campuses, criticism of Israel has crossed the line into open antisemitism, with Jewish students targeted simply because of their identity. We need to take a firm stand against the rise of antisemitism, whether it be on a college campus or at any institution across our country.

Candidate for Lt. Governor, Republican

John Reid

1) (See Response at
Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) Recent violent acts— Governor Shapiro’s home being torched, the murder at the Capitol Jewish Museum, and the firebombing at a Boulder rally—must be met with a firm, bipartisan response. I commit to:

•Working with law enforcement to ensure all hate crimes are thoroughly investigated, perpetrators brought to justice, and victims fully supported.

•Leading condemnation of antisemitic rhetoric from any quarter. Words that dehumanize or scapegoat the Jewish community lay the groundwork for violence.

•Supporting statewide hate-crimes training for police, local officials, and public institutions to identify and respond proactively to targeted threats.

•Promoting interfaith and community unity events across the commonwealth, reinforcing shared values and breaking down divisions. I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Virginia’s Jewish communities, ensuring state leadership refuses to tolerate such extremism.

3) Antisemitism in schools must be addressed at multiple levels:

1. Strengthening Reporting & Accountability. I will advocate for clear state guidance mandating the inclusion of antisemitism in school discrimination policies. All public K–12 and institutions of higher education must track and report antisemitic incidents and take disciplinary and restorative action as appropriate.

2. Expanding Education & Training. Require mandatory cultural competency and antisemitism awareness training for school staff and student leaders. Curricula in middle and high school should cover the history of antisemitism, Holocaust education, and the importance of religious pluralism and respect.

3. Supporting Jewish Student Organizations. At colleges and universities, support should be extended to registered Jewish organizations and Hillel chapters so they operate safely and can host educational events. I would promote protective protocols and collaboration between institutions and Jewish community organizations. 4. Engaging Parents and Communities. I believe parents have a central role in fostering respect in school communities. I will facilitate regional community dialogues and school-based roundtables where educators, faith leaders, parents, and students come together to build mutual understanding and proactively counter bias.

Candidate for Attorney General, Democrat

Jay Jones

1) (See Response at
Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) Ensuring the safety and security of all religious and ethnic communities in Virginia is a top priority of mine. Antisemitic violence and rhetoric are a growing problem that must be addressed at every level, and here in Virginia, the solution starts at the top. As a member of the House of Delegates, I voted in support of protections for faith-based organizations and schools, including legislation that added religious pre-schools and childcare centers to the list of schools where possessing a firearm is prohibited. As Attorney General, I will fight every day to protect and defend Virginians, from their constitutional rights and freedoms to day-to-day community safety. More specifically, I will create a Civil Rights Division within the office that will no longer be an afterthought and is empowered to take aggressive action on behalf of Virginians’ basic rights. This unit will ensure that Virginians are protected against discrimination and that no entity can take away their constitutional rights and liberties.

3) As Attorney General, I will take a proactive stance against antisemitism in all its forms, especially within our K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning, to ensure that every student feels safe, respected, and understood in the classroom and on campus. At public universities, Governor Youngkin and Jason Miyares have cleared university boards to increase their political power, while inflaming tensions on campus that are ultimately most harmful to Jewish students. As Attorney General, I’ll make sure schools are independently equipped to respond to hate-based incidents and be an ally in investigating and fighting antisemitism to ensure that all perpetrators of hate speech and violence are held accountable for their actions. While the Attorney General has no legislative powers, I will advocate for a more inclusive curriculum that educates Virginia students about antisemitism and creates environments free from all discrimination and harassment against Jewish students. We must empower and equip our children to stand against hate with understanding and empathy.

Candidate for Attorney General, Republican

Jason Miyares

1) (See Response at
Washingtonjewishweek.com)

2) Antisemitism is the world’s oldest form of bigotry. The torching of Governor Shapiro’s home, the murder at the Capitol Jewish Museum, and the firebombing in Boulder are not isolated incidents. They are the product of ideological hate that has traded the force of argument for the argument of force. A free society can only function when we respect one another not just as equals, but as human beings with the same inalienable rights. When we lose that foundation, hate festers and violence follows.

In February 2023, I announced the creation of the Antisemitism Task Force within the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. As the first of its kind in the U.S., the Task Force’s mission is to educate, monitor, gather information, and coordinate with law enforcement to combat antisemitism across the Commonwealth. The Task Force marshals the expertise of an agile group of attorneys, professionals, and law enforcement officials to confront the scourge of Antisemitism inserting itself in our public and private spheres.

In March 2023, I had the profound honor of leading a bipartisan delegation of state attorneys general on a journey through Poland and Israel. Our first stop was Auschwitz, where we were guided by Mr. Michael Berenbaum, a foremost Holocaust scholar in the United States. There, we confronted the historical rise of antisemitism and its disturbing ability to fester in communities that were once vibrant and progressive. The contrast was striking as we moved from the shadows of Auschwitz to the vibrant reality of the modern state of Israel—a true miracle born from the ashes of history. It was a poignant journey, highlighting not just the past, but the hope and resilience of a people who refuse to be defined by their suffering.

In November 2023, I was once again called to Israel, this time by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, to bear witness to the atrocities committed by Hamas. I had the privilege of meeting families affected by the violence.
and hearing their stories of loss and resilience. During a briefing with Israel’s state prosecutor, Amit Eisman, we were presented with harrowing evidence of the attacks, and I was struck by the courage and resolve of those fighting for justice in the face of unspeakable horror. As I stood in Israel following the attacks, my commitment to combat all forms of hatred and bigotry—especially against our Jewish citizens—was solidified. October 7th was not just a tragedy for Israel, but a tragedy that reverberated around the world. Reflecting on my experiences, I remarked to my colleague David Brand that I never could have imagined visiting Israel twice in less than a year and witnessing two entirely different countries and realities.

I also brought together a bipartisan group of attorneys general from across the country to meet with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who spent part of his youth in Richmond before moving to Israel with his family. He was taken hostage and murdered by Hamas terrorists.

3) Antisemitism is not a political issue—it is a moral one. As Virginia’s Attorney General, I have made it a top priority to confront this rising hatred with clear eyes and firm resolve. Virginia will not be a state where Jewish families live in fear. I will continue to stand with our Jewish neighbors and confront this evil with the full force of the law and the moral clarity the moment demands.

We need leaders with moral clarity, not moral confusion and cowardice who shirk the responsibility of calling out antisemitic hate. Immediately following the October 7th attacks, my office sent a letter to every public college and university president in Virginia, urging them to protect the safety and well-being of their Jewish students. Virginia’s public colleges and universities are defended by my office, and each school has its own assigned legal counsel. In the days and weeks after the horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, my Office offered interactive legal webinars for university counsels across Virginia, providing clarity on First Amendment protections while emphasizing the need for enhanced campus security.

I also worked directly with law enforcement and higher education leaders to proactively prepare for the violence and unrest we were seeing spread across the country, making it clear early on that intimidation, harassment, threats, or violence would not be tolerated here in Virginia. There should be room on our college campuses for free speech and substantive foreign policy discussions, but when such “advocacy” turns into a vehicle for the propagation of anti-Jewish sentiment, it crosses a line that higher education and we, as a country, must not tolerate.

In December 2023, I sent a letter to all Virginia public school principals and superintendents on the rise of antisemitism in education nationwide and noting their responsibility to cultivate learning environments for their students free of discrimination, harassment, and intimidation. At my direction, our Office of Civil Rights also prepared resources for parents and students to guide them as to the proper way to report and file official complaints to address instances of discrimination on the basis of ethnic and national origin as is Virginia law. I encourage anyone who has faced such discrimination to report it to my Civil Rights Division. We stand ready to assist when and wherever instances of hatred and bigotry surface in Virginia for Jewish students and all students.

As we grapple with the alarming surge in antisemitism and approach a post-survivor and post-witness era, Holocaust remembrance, education, and awareness becomes more difficult but also much more vital to ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten. It is crucial that the horrors of the Holocaust are never distorted, nor trivialized, and remain cemented in our global conscience. While Holocaust education is not the ultimate cure for rising antisemitism worldwide, it is an essential part in ensuring antisemitism cannot take root in the home of Thomas Jefferson.