RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Fresh insights from the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU are shedding light on the current status of Virginia’s statewide elections.

In the race for governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 49%-40%. 

“At the gubernatorial level, the results have shown a significant consistency. Examining a range of polls reveals some anomalies on either side, but when you consider the polling averages collectively, Spanberger maintains a significant advantage,” explained Larry Sabato, who leads the University of Virginia Center for Politics, to 8News.

In the race for lieutenant governor, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi leads Republican John Reid 45%-41%. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Jay Jones leads Republican incumbent Jason Miyares 47%-41% in the race for attorney general. 

“I don’t even consider the lieutenant governor and attorney general races,” Sabato remarked regarding the polling. “In today’s intensely partisan climate, voters tend to examine their ballots, make a choice for governor, and most often, align with the same party for the other positions they vote on.”

Sabato said, although the margins are tighter than in the previous VCU poll, Republicans shouldn’t celebrate all that much. 

“Now I think they’re moving up past their floor, but not much past their floor — not yet anyway,” Sabato told 8News. 

Early voting begins on Sept. 19 at your local registrar’s office.