Virginians want elected leaders to work together, even as many doubt Richmond will deliver for their communities. As attention returns to governing after the 2026 elections, a survey by Better Choices for Democracy finds that nearly nine in ten Virginia adults (88%) believe it is important that elected leaders work across party lines to solve problems, while only 36% trust state government a great deal (12%) or a lot (24%) to handle issues that matter to their community. These expectations and doubts often coexist: just over half of Virginia adults (51%) both value cross-party cooperation and express little or no trust in Richmond.
But support for cooperation does not necessarily mean a willingness to accept policies they oppose. When asked how representatives should handle policy disagreements, 47% of all adults say their preference depends on the issue, 32% generally favor compromise, and 12% prefer holding positions even if an agreement cannot be reached.
Read the full report, Greater Expectations: Virginians Want Elected Leaders to Focus on Solving Problems, to explore the findings.
Top-Line Findings:
Virginians highly value representatives who work across party lines to address issues facing the state. 94% of adults who always or usually vote Democratic, 93% who always or usually vote Republican, and 88% of split-party or third-party voters say it is important.
Valuing cross-party work does not necessarily translate into a general preference for compromise. Among Virginia adults who value leaders who work with others across party lines, 48% say compromise depends on the issue, 35% generally prefer compromise, and 12% prefer holding to their positions.
Virginians don’t have a lot of trust in state government. Just 12% of Virginians have a great deal of trust in Richmond to address issues that matter to their communities. 58% trust it a little or not at all, and 6% are unsure. Among adults with little or no trust, 88% still consider cross-party cooperation important.
Elected leaders closer to home receive higher ratings for caring about people like them. Among all adults, 53% say local officials care a great deal or somewhat, compared with 50% for state officials and 38% for their members of Congress.
Perceived care and trust are closely associated. Among adults who say state officials care a great deal or somewhat, 58% trust Richmond a great deal or a lot. That share is 14% among those who say state officials care a little or not at all.
