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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/1981/Governor/Virginia
      1981·Governor·Virginia

      Virginia Governor

      Winner
      DEM
      Charles S. Robb
      53.5%760,384 votes
      Runner-up
      REP
      J Marshall Coleman
      46.4%659,398 votes
      Margin
      D+7.1
      1,420,638 total votes
      3 candidates1,420,638 total votes
      CandidatePartyVotes ▼%Vote Share
      Charles S. RobbDEM✓
      		DEM760,38453.5%
      J Marshall ColemanREP
      		REP659,39846.4%
      OtherOTH
      		OTH8560.1%

      Seat History

      Governor in Virginia

      2025
      Abigail Davis SpanbergerDEM
      D+15.4
      2021
      Glenn YoungkinREP
      R+1.9
      2017
      Ralph S NorthamDEM
      D+8.9
      2013
      Terry McAuliffeDEM
      D+2.5
      2009
      Robert F McDonnellREP
      R+17.4
      2005
      Tim KaineDEM
      D+5.7
      2001
      Mark WarnerDEM
      D+5.1
      1997
      James S. III GilmoreREP
      R+13.3
      1993
      George F AllenREP
      R+17.4
      1989
      L Douglas WilderDEM
      D+0.4
      1985
      Gerald L BalilesDEM
      D+10.4
      1977
      John N DaltonREP
      R+12.6
      1973
      Mills E. Jr. GodwinREP
      R+50.8
      1969
      Linwood HoltonREP
      R+7.1
      View all Governor history for Virginia →

      Candidates

      Charles S. RobbDEM
      Record1W-0L
      Avg MarginD+7.1
      Career1981-1981
      Governor
      Full profile →
      J Marshall ColemanREP
      Record2W-2L
      Avg MarginR+26.2
      Career1973-1989
      Governor / State Senate / State House
      Full profile →
      ← All 1981 Governor races1981 overviewVirginia profileAll elections