John Reid, a conservative radio talk show host, made history this week by securing the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in Virginia, becoming the first openly gay person nominated for statewide office by either major party in the state.
Newsweek has reached out to Reid’s campaign press team for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
If elected in November, Reid would become Virginia’s first openly gay lieutenant governor. His nomination is a rare example of an LGBTQ+ Republican candidate and comes as the national GOP remains divided on LGBTQ+ issues, with some conservative factions pushing to roll back protections—including marriage equality—and urging the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision.
Virginia’s gubernatorial election is expected to be a key test for both Republicans and Democrats since President Donald Trump took office, with Senator Tim Kaine calling it the first “bellwether” of Trump’s approval or a potential “Democratic comeback.” The state is currently led by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.
What To Know
Reid clinched the nomination after his only primary opponent, Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity, withdrew for health reasons. He is running as second to gubernatorial candidate Earl-Sears, who is the first Black woman to run as the state’s GOP nominee for governor.
Reid, who has hosted a local conservative talk show for years and previously served as a political aide, has long been open about his gay identity, having come out on-air in the 1990s.
He told The Washington Blade that “the thing that I would say to gay voters who are looking and examining the candidates, is that I was out of the closet as a gay Republican publicly in very difficult rooms where people weren’t accepting of gay men—long before Donald Trump said I don’t care about this stuff.”
When asked about his support for civil unions for same-sex couples, and if he also backed same-sex marriage, Reid responded “There is a distinction. And I think marriage is completely legitimate. Civil unions – if you want to go and sign paperwork at the courthouse – that’s great. If you want to be married and if a church wants to marry you if you find a church and religious leader and group that wants to bless that – that’s what I hope to do with my partner now.”
His comments come as several state legislatures have pushed efforts in the past few months, such as in North Dakota, to encourage the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry and that states cannot prohibit them. June marks the 10th anniversary of the case.
A 2024 Gallup poll found that 69 percent of Americans support legal same-sex marriage, with more support among Democrats than Republicans. It found that 83 percent of Democrats support same-sex marriage, 74 percent of independents, and 46 percent of Republicans.
John Reid Website/ Minh Connors/The Washington Post via AP
Virginia Election Is a ‘Bellwether’
Virginia’s election will be seen as a “bellwether,” signaling political trends and voter sentiment. For Republicans, the elections will be a test of whether they can retain the gains they’ve made in recent years. Meanwhile, it will also be a key gauge for Democrats’ messaging as they seek to regain ground over the next few years.
Virginia’s recent gubernatorial elections tend to sway based on the party in the White House, with Democrats typically winning when a Republican is in office. Republican Youngkin became governor in 2021 under President Joe Biden, and Democrat Ralph Northam won during Trump’s first presidency. Youngkin is term limited at the end of the year.
The general election will be held on November 4, 2025, with primary elections set for June 17. Reid will face the Democratic nominee, who has yet to be determined from a crowded primary field.
Early polls currently show for the governorship Democratic former Representative Abigail Spanberger leading polls against Republican candidate Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor. If either candidate wins, they would become the state’s first female governor.
What People Are Saying
John Reid in a Monday statement: “As I hope my travels across the state and work ethic have demonstrated, I take my new responsibility as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor seriously. I will continue to work hard to be worthy of this opportunity and to earn every vote of Republicans, Democrats, and all those looking for a voice across Virginia.”
Senator Tim Kaine, a Virigina Democrat, told CNN back in February: “In Virginia, we have gone from one of the most ruby red states in the country to now having put electoral votes behind Democrats five elections in a row. I just won my reelection by a sizable margin against Donald Trump’s handpicked Republican opponent.”
State Senator Mark Peake said in a Thursday X, formerly Twitter, post: “Congratulations to@JohnReid4VA, our Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. John’s dedication to conservative values and his strong record of service to our communities make him the right choice to help lead our Commonwealth forward. I also want to thank @PatHerrityVA for his commitment to the LG race and wish him a full and speedy recovery as he continues to heal.”
What Happens Next
Virginia’s lieutenant governor race could prove pivotal in shaping the state’s legislative future, especially given the slim margins in the House of Delegates.
With cultural and policy debates over LGBTQ+ rights front and center, Reid’s campaign could test the viability of LGBTQ+ representation in conservative politics.