There will no longer be a Republican primary in June for the lieutenant governor’s race. After Monday, only one candidate remains to take the party’s nomination. Pat Herrity bowed out, leaving John Reid as the party’s candidate heading into November. 

In a statement sent to media and also posted on his social media accounts, Herrity said he just wasn’t recovering from surgery as quickly as needed. 

“Since my heart surgery on March 13th and the subsequent complications, I have been working hard to regain my strength and return to the campaign trail,” Herrity said. “As I learned and was enjoying prior to my surgery, a statewide campaign requires significant travel, multiple appearances per evening, being “on” all of the time and incredible stamina. I have come to the realization that my ability to get back to the 150% that I was giving to run a statewide race and that will be necessary to win in November is not possible in the near future. Realizing that I can’t give it my all for the ticket, my supporters and donors, is already causing me great stress. I believe making this decision now is in the best interest of both my health and the ticket.”

At the same time, Herrity said his health is nowhere near as bad as what he’s seen claimed by some people. 

I have heard greatly exaggerated stories from across the Commonwealth about my health,” Herrity said. “I can assure you that I did not have a stroke or heart attack and I am walking over three miles a day and climbing stairs. As we reported on March 14, I had heart surgery to repair a genetic defect. Unfortunately, in the weeks since the surgery I have had several complications that have impacted my recovery time. My doctors are still predicting a full recovery but I have come to realize it will be much slower than anticipated. Unfortunately, the 150% effort required for a statewide campaign would also significantly delay my recovery, put undue stress on my health and come with some risk, hence my decision to end the 2025 campaign now.”

No more Republican primary

Herrity’s former opponent, John Reid, said in a statement to The Dispatch that he appreciated the Fairfax supervisor’s attitude during the campaign and was praying for his recovery. 

“I am sure all Virginians join me in praying for Supervisor Pat Herrity and his continued

recovery. Pat has been a gentleman during this campaign and he has devoted many years of

his life to serving the people of Fairfax and of Virginia,” Reid said. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to responsible men and women who step forward into the arena, sacrificing their time and often personal lives to offer leadership.” 

Reid said with Herrity’s selfless decision to step down, the Republican Party of Virginia now has an early opportunity to unify. The party only has one candidate for governor, current lieutenant governor Winsome Sears, as the other two Republicans fell short of the required 10,000 signatures needed to qualify. There is also only one Republican candidate for attorney general, as current AG Jason Miyares is running for re-election. 

“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,” Reid said. “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.”

Still one race left 

There is still one statewide primary scheduled this coming June, as a number of candidates compete to be the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. As it stands, there are six candidates still running. That includes Babur Lateef, Prince William County School Board chairperson; 22nd District State Senator Aaron Rouse; federal prosecutor Victor Salgado; former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and attorney Alex Bastani.