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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/1997/Governor/Virginia
      1997·Governor·Virginia

      Virginia Governor

      Winner
      REP
      James S. III Gilmore
      55.8%969,062 votes
      Runner-up
      DEM
      Donald S. Jr. Beyer
      42.6%738,971 votes
      Margin
      R+13.3
      1,736,314 total votes
      3 candidates1,736,314 total votes
      CandidatePartyVotes ▼%Vote Share
      James S. III GilmoreREP✓
      		REP969,06255.8%
      Donald S. Jr. BeyerDEM
      		DEM738,97142.6%
      OtherOTH
      		OTH28,2811.6%

      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
      1993
      George F AllenREP
      R+17.4
      1989
      L Douglas WilderDEM
      D+0.4
      1985
      Gerald L BalilesDEM
      D+10.4
      1981
      Charles S. RobbDEM
      D+7.1
      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

      Donald S. Jr. BeyerDEM
      Record0W-1L
      Avg MarginR+13.3
      Career1997-1997
      Governor
      Full profile →
      James S. III GilmoreREP
      Record2W-1L
      Avg MarginR+4.1
      Career1978-2008
      US Senate / Governor / State House
      Full profile →
      ← All 1997 Governor races1997 overviewVirginia profileAll elections