FAIRFAX, Va. — Early voting begins in Virginia on Friday, September 19, and new polling shows Democrats are pulling ahead.

Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia released a poll Thursday focused on the top three positions in the Commonwealth and priority issues for Virginia likely voters. The poll is based on 808 interviews of registered Virginia voters who are likely general election voters (i.e. someone who has voted in at least two of the last four general elections and indicates they plan to vote in the upcoming elections.)

In the gubernatorial race, researchers found that Democrat Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Winsome Earle Sears by 12 points, 52% to 40% among Virginia likely voters.

Spanberger also has a +10 favorability rating compared to Earle Sears' -

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