Primary elections held Tuesday in Richmond will determine whether the city’s sheriff and top prosecutor get to keep their jobs for another four-year term.

Incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin is again squaring off against opponent Tom Barbour, a local attorney who ran against McEachin in 2021 as a progressive challenger. McEachin easily defeated him that year, but it could be a different electorate this time around with no gubernatorial competition at the top of the Democratic ticket.

Sheriff Antionette Irving — who oversees the city jail and provides security at courthouses — is being challenged by former Richmond Police Sgt. William Burnett in a battle being fought largely over how to prevent inmate deaths at the jail. Irving defeated Burnett in a previous primary in 2021, winning 55% of the vote to her challenger’s 45%.

Locally and around the state, Democratic primary voters will also be deciding whether former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney should get a promotion to statewide office. 

Stoney — who initially planned to run for governor after his eight years as mayor — is one of six candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, a not-particularly-powerful statewide position seen as a step on the way to higher political office.

Richmond-area state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi is also seeking the Democratic LG nomination. While her district is based mostly in Chesterfield County, it extends into portions of South Richmond.

The other four candidates in the Democratic LG primary are state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, Prince William County School Board Chairman Babur Lateef, former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado and attorney Alex Bastani.

The Democratic LG candidate is set to face Republican John Reid, a former Richmond-area radio host, in the fall.

Former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will be the Democratic nominee for governor after Stoney opted not to compete with her at the top of the ticket. Spanberger is running against current Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the general election for governor.

Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor and former state delegate Jay Jones of Norfolk are competing for the Democratic nomination for attorney general. The winner of the primary will try to unseat Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November.

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters who need to find their polling place or check their registration status can use the state’s online citizen portal.

Contact Reporter Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org