METHODOLOGY:  

• Fabrizio, Lee & Associates conducted four equal focus groups of unaffiliated Virginians.  
• Unaffiliated Virginians in this survey were defined as respondents who were probably or definitely going to vote in the 2025 general election for Governor and would probably vote for the Republican or Democrat if the election were held today or were undecided.  
• Groups were split by political party lean and whether they lived in or outside Northern Virginia.  
• The four groups throughout the deck are referred to as Downstate and Northern VA Democrats and Republicans, with party assigned by which direction a participant leaned.  
• In total, 40 voters participated in the research: 20 women and 20 men.  
• Dials were used to get independent ratings and limit group think.  

PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS:  

RESULTS:  

Education as a Top Concern  

• Parental rights were primarily linked to education—followed by healthcare. 
• To the extent that participants had opinions, there was sentiment that parents in Virginia do not have enough rights, especially in education.  
• Education was mentioned as the most prominent non-economic issue by participants.  
• Education and infrastructure were the predominant issues that respondents wanted Virginia’s government to focus on more.  

Parental Say in Child’s Education 

• Those with an opinion were split about evenly between parents have “not enough” say and “about right amount” of say, with those saying “not enough” thinking parents, rather than schools, have a better idea of what their child should be learning. 
• “The Supreme Court has said that parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing of their children, and I see more and more that schools are usurping on that right.” – Downstate Republican-leaning 
• “I feel like the states are getting in the way of us raising our kids in the school systems just all over sex, what they can read, and where they can go.” – Northern VA Democrat-leaning 
• “A child grows up in your home. You should know what they’re doing.” – Downstate Republican-leaning 

Parents’ Greater Say in Curriculum 

• Statement: “Give parents a greater say in their children’s curriculum if they attend a public school in Virginia.”  
  • 24 – Favor  
  • 10 – Oppose  
  • 6 – Unsure  
• Those in favor of giving parents more say in their children’s curriculum want parents to have the option to be involved in their child’s education and see problems in things being taught currently. Opposition to parents having more say stems from thinking it would lead to too many voices and/or chaos. 
  • “I strongly favor. The parents’ say in their kids’ curriculum is being taken away in Virginia. Parents need a say.” – Northern VA Democrat-leaning 
  • “We have educators that go to these big top universities that should be setting these curriculums. If all the parents voice their independent opinion, it’d be pure chaos.” – Downstate Republican-leaning 
  • “I’m totally open for my kid learning about whatever, but I’d at least like to know about it and be given the option if I don’t think it aligns with what I think he should be learning and allow him to step out.” – Northern VA Republican-leaning 
  • “I dislike common core. My kids cannot add properly.” – Downstate Republican-leaning