Rising cost of living top issue in Virginia ahead of vote for governor: Survey

The rising cost of living is the most pressing issue for nearly a third of Virginia voters as they cast their ballots in the upcoming state elections, which will decide a new governor, a new poll found.

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) poll at the end of August found that 28 percent of registered voters said cost of living is their top issue, followed by reproductive rights (13 percent) and immigration and education (12 percent each).

The findings are similar to the poll's findings last month.

The latest poll found Democratic gubernatorial candidate former Rep. Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears 49 percent to 40 percent — down slightly from the lead Spanberger held in the same poll a month earlier. According to the Decision Desk HQ polling average, Spanberger leads Earle-Sears by 7.5 points.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report and election forecasters at Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the race as "likely Democratic."

Virginia term limits prohibit governors from serving consecutive terms, so there is no incumbent in the race.

The VCU poll surveyed 804 Virginia adults Aug. 18-28. The margin of error was 4.1 percentage points.