It looks like another prominent Democrat, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-07), plans to throw her hat into the 2025 gubernatorial contest: Spanberger won’t seek reelection, will run for Va. governor, sources say (Washington Post).
IMO, Spanberger is a much more credible Democratic candidate than Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
Spanberger has always impressed me as a very smart political leader who has a great personal story. In her past campaigns she has run some of the best biographical ads I have seen. In fact, I use them in many of my classes to show my students how a biographical ad can portray a candidate in a positive and compelling manner.
She is more center left than Stoney, which could be a challenge for her in a Democratic primary, but if she is the Democratic nominee, she would be hard to beat.
To me, Stoney is a non-starter. On the other hand, Spanberger is someone to watch.