One exit poll result from Virginia’s gubernatorial race–and early exit polling data should always be taken with a grain of salt–was the massive support for the Democratic candidate (and victor) Spanberger among women aged 18-29:

(it’s worth noting that very similar patterns were observed in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race too)

While the support among young women is extraordinary*, the other dramatic difference is the gender gap, which appears in every age cohort (and, again, similar numbers occur in New Jersey). The gender gap, depending on age, ranges between thirteen and twenty-four percent. For context, the gender gap in presidential elections typically ranges between seven to twelve percent.

Clearly, men are too emotional to be trusted with politics and voting

One thing worth noting is that, according to the exit polls, crime was not a very salient issue. That helps Democrats, since, not only can’t Democrats figure out how to deal with the issue, but women seem more interested in the issue than men, blunting the gender gap advantage.

Just something to think about for 2026.