The 2001 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2001. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Gilmore was barred from seeking a second term; Democratic nominee Mark Warner, the 1996 Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, defeated Republican nominee Mark Earley, the Attorney General of Virginia.
General election
Candidates
Mark Warner, (D), businessman, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Virginia in 1996 Mark Earley, (R), Attorney General of Virginia (1997–2001); Virginia State Senator from VA-SD14 (1987–1997)
Campaign
Warner made a conscious effort to appeal to voters in rural Virginia, personified by his official campaign song, written by the Bluegrass Brothers. The song was considered an essential part of Warner's outreach to rural Virginia, with the lyrics emphasizing Warner's understanding of the culture of that part of the state.
Polling
Results
Results by county and city
Counties and Independent Cities that flipped from Republican to Democratic
Accomack (Largest city: Chincoteague) Albemarle (largest municipality: Scottsville) Appomattox (Largest city: Appomattox) Bedford (Independent city) Buena Vista (Independent city) Danville (independent city) Galax (Independent city) Giles (Largest city: Pearisburg) King and Queen (Largest CDP: King and Queen Courthouse) Fairfax (independent city) Fairfax (largest municipality: Herndon) Henrico (largest borough: Richmond) Prince Edward (Largest city: Farmville) Westmoreland (Largest city: Colonial Beach) Winchester (independent city) Lynchburg (independent city) Southampton (largest municipality: Courtland) Amherst (Largest city: Amherst) Bath (Largest city: Hot Springs) Buckingham (Largest city: Dillwyn) Charlotte (Largest city: Keysville) Craig (Largest city: New Castle) Cumberland (Largest city: Farmville) Dinwiddie (Largest town: McKenney) Essex (Largest city: Tappahannock) Emporia (Independent city) Franklin (Largest city: Rocky Mount) Halifax (Largest city: South Boston) Hopewell (independent city) Isle of Wight (Largest city: Smithfield) Salem (independent city) Louisa (Largest city: Louisa) Lee (Largest city: Pennington Gap) Northumberland (Largest city: Heathsville) Pulaski (Largest city: Pulaski) Rockbridge (Largest city: Lexington) Smyth (Largest city: Marion) Tazewell (Largest city: Richlands) Wise (Largest city: Big Stone Gap) Nottoway (Largest city: Blackstone) Montgomery (Largest city: Blacksburg) Newport News (independent city) Suffolk (independent city) Northampton (Largest city: Exmore) Henry (Largest city: Blacksburg) Alleghany (Largest city: Clifton Forge)