Virginia voters are deciding a history-making race for governor Tuesday that will serve as a barometer of attitudes toward President Donald Trump and Democrats’ attempts to regain their footing on the national stage.

More than 1.4 million Virginians voted early ahead of the governor’s race, setting a record and showing strong voter enthusiasm.

WDBJ7 Political Analyst Bob Denton said early voting is growing across the Commonwealth with both parties now embracing the practice.

It’s been four years since Glenn Youngkin stood on the crest of a wave that saw voters hand Virginia’s three statewide offices to GOP candidates. Limited by the state constitution to one four-year term, Youngkin will turn over the keys to the Governor’s Mansion in January, and inaugural preparations are already underway in Richmond.

Early voting is surpassing the pace set during the 2021 Governor’s race, with more than 850,000 ballots already cast as of Oct. 23, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Voters in the state will elect a new governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. All 100 House of Delegates seats are also on the ballot.

Earlier this year, "quiet" was one word to describe the Virginia race for governor. Then came DOGE, a text message scandal down ballot, a redistricting surprise, the government shutdown and more.