Virginia Elects Bob McDonnell as 71st Governor

For the first time in eight years, the Commonwealth of Virginia has elected a Republican as governor. Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell was voted in as Virginia's 71st Governor-elect. McDonnell earned approximately 59 percent of the vote, with 1.15 million Virginians favoring the Republican. His opponent, Robert Creigh Deeds, received the remaining 41 percent. The Virginia political map was painted red, with the exception of the Tidewater region and Bath and Alleghany counties, which is Deeds country.

The state that overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in the presidential race only months ago, gave their support to the opposite party during this Va. governor's race. The Associated Press (AP) declared McDonnell the winner of the governor's race just before 8 p.m. McDonnell was projected to win by up to 15 points in some early polls.

At the McDonnell camp, the victory bells rang loud and clear. McDonnell began his victory speech remarking, "Eight months ago I applied for the job as Governor of Virginia. Tonight you have hired me." He offered bipartisan politics to the Commonwealth and to his opposition in saying, "To those of you that did not support me, I say to you, give me a chance." After being declared the winner, McDonnell called opponent Deeds. "We both agree that this is a great and wonderful state in which we live. Deeds is a good public servant and I look forward to working with him as he continues to serve in the Virginia Senate," said McDonnell.

The Republicans did not end their victory with the governor's race. In fact, the other GOP candidates swept the ballot, winning all three major seats contested in the Commonwealth. William "Bill" Bolling was reelected as Lieutenant Governor for a second term with 56 percent of the vote, defeating former State Finance Secretary Democrat Jody Wagner. For the Delegate from Fairfax for the Attorney General seat, left vacant by McDonnell's gubernatorial election, Republican Ken Cuccinelli defeated Democratic challenger Stephen Shannon, earning 58 percent of the vote.

Lt. Gov. Bolling promised a ticket of unity when he ran for reelection. He said during his victory speech he would continue that sentiment during his second term at The Capitol in Richmond. Mimicking Obama during his victory speech, Bolling said, "If I can borrow a quote, this is change you can really believe in." Bolling called for Republicans to band together and unite in the Commonwealth. Just before Black Eyed Peas' song "I Got A Feeling" played at Bolling's victory camp, he left his audience by saying, "The best is yet to come."

Initial reports from around the state noted voter turnout was somewhat low. Only around 40 percent of registered voters turned out on the relatively nice day to cast their ballot. Some of the low turnout was attributed to fears of the H1N1 virus. Many polling places offered hand sanitizer to combat the spread of the virus on polling machines. Turnout was lower than in last November's election due to the nature of the election, which was not a national contest.

Election day was a bad one for Democrats across the state. A number of delegates lost their seats, being replaced by Republicans. Republican National Chairman Michael Steele said that Republicans took many of the seats across the nation because of overtaxing fears on Capitol Hill and the lagging debate over healthcare.

Obama backed Deeds two weeks ago and campaigned for him in Norfolk this past week hoping to give the fellow party member a much needed boost. However, that support did not catch the attention of those voters who were weary of another Democratic governor in the Commonwealth.

Longwood Student Government Association (SGA) President Cameron Patterson agreed that the night was not a good one for the Democratic ticket. "If you look at the early exit polls in terms of the voter turnout, it wasn't good for Deeds, said Patterson. He also said that Democrats lost ground in not focusing enough on the African-American vote, which was down considerably from last November. "I think that Democrats will look back on this and see that the lack of enthusiasm amongst the base was a big problem."

During the campaign, there was much discussion regarding the Bath County native's policy on raising taxes. Most of the attack ads by McDonnell showed Deeds committing a political gaffe after the Fairfax County debate. Deeds spent more than five minutes explaining what he meant when he said he would not increase taxes in Virginia if elected. However, he tried to save himself by writing an op-ed piece clarifying himself in the newspaper that later endorsed him, The Washington Post. However, McDonnell clearly took advantage of the said gaffe and hit Deeds where it hurt.

This election was not a reminder of the drawn out 2005 contest between McDonnell and Deeds for Attorney General. The election ended in a recount, where McDonnell was declared the winner by only 323 votes out of the 1.9 million cast. While Deeds did not come out victorious, the election gave the rural State Senator a name in the Virginia political game.

During his concession message, Deeds said, "I wish tonight's results were different. But now is not the time for bitterness, or retreat into our partisan corners-it's time to overcome that disappointment with our determination to build a better Virginia, together." He told his supporters, "We've got to keep working and fighting, and I'm fighting.