AdvertisementInterest in the election seems to be high — more than 735,000 early ballots were cast, with a high rate of younger people casting their votes. Mamdani, who is 34, has appealed to young voters for running his campaign on affordability and taking a stance against the genocide in Palestine. Sherrill is facing off against state Rep. Jack Ciattarelli (R), who is running for governor for the third time. Whoever wins will make history as the first female governor of Virginia, and Earle-Sears would become the first Black woman governor. Voters in Virginia often elect the president’s opposing party for governor, meaning history says Spanberger has a shot.