Election results: Democrats make huge strides statewide

Democrat Ralph Northam won Virginia’s race for governor Tuesday over Republican Ed Gillespie.  President Donald Trump, in Korea, wasted no time tweeting, “Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for”.  The tweet, incidentally, was sent even before the final tally of votes in the gubernatorial race was in—and 20 minutes before Gillespie gave his concession speech.  Trump had tweeted support of Gillespie, lauding his stance against the MS-13 gang and sanctuary cities during the campaign.

Northam garnered 1,404,883 votes, 54% of the vote, compared to Gillespie’s 1,172,792 votes for 45%.  Clifford Hyra, the Libertarian party candidate, was a distant third with just one-percent of the vote (29,328).  The 9% gap came as a shock to Republicans.  For weeks pollsters had called the Virginia governor’s race neck and neck, though late numbers indicated a slight shift Northam’s way.

As detailed below, Democrats also took the Lt. Governor and Attorney General races.  But the most astonishing tally in Virginia was the legislative result.  In a state in which they controlled the most recent redistricting, Republicans held a 66-34 majority in the State House of Delegates.  All of those 100 seats were up for grabs Tuesday.  Democrats have not held a majority in the Virginia House of Delegates since the year 2000 (50-49-1).

Initial results indicated the Democrats picked up at least 15 seats, with four more races close enough to mandate a recount.  Those numbers would give Democrats 49 seats heading into those recounts.  A Democrat holds the lead in one of those four races.  With provisional ballots still to be counted, the House balance of power may not be determined for some days.  A 50-50 split would require a power-sharing arrangement.

Republicans have a 21-19 majority in the State Senate.  All of those seats come up for election in 2019.

Debate over implications of the Democratic victory and the huge legislative gain in Virginia – a gain that shocked members of both parties – began quickly with the U.S. Congressional mid-terms on the 2018 political horizon.  Many called it a referendum on President Trump, while others disputed that notion and urged caution in drawing broader political conclusions.

Democrat Justin Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor, defeated Republican Jill Holtzman Vogel, a state senator from Fauquier County, in the race for Lt. Governor.  The margin was Fairfax, 1,361,656 (52.6%), Vogel 1,222,639 (47.2%).

Fairfax has never held elective office before, though he made his first run for office four years ago, narrowly losing the Democratic nomination for Attorney General to Mark Herring.

Vogel, who represents the 27^th District, stumped aggressively right up until the end in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, where her district lies.  During the campaign, she emphasized bipartisanship, highlighting her ties with Democratic senators and her work on nonpartisan issues such as passing legislation to ban child marriage in the Commonwealth.

Democrat Mark Herring won a second consecutive term as Attorney General, with 1,379,323 votes (53.2%) to John Adams 1,210,213 votes (46.7%).

In regional contests with implications in the Northern Valley, 29^th District Del. Christopher Collins (R) easily retained his seat with 64.23% of the vote over Democratic opponent Casey S. Turben.  His district covers the City of Winchester and the Counties of Frederick and parts of Warren County.

10^th District incumbent Del. Randy Minchew (R) was narrowly defeated by Wendy Gooditis (D) with 48.01% and 51.90% of the votes, respectively.  His district covers parts of Clarke, Frederick and Loudoun Counties.

15^th District Del. C. Todd Gilbert (R) ran unopposed this year, and retained his seat. The 15^th District is comprised of all of Page and Shenandoah Counties and portions of Warren and Rockingham Counties.

18^th District Incumbent Michael Webert (R) emerged victorious, with 60.52% of the vote over Democratic challenger Tristan Shields (34.38%) and Will King (Green) (5.09%).  The 18^th District is comprised of Warren, Rappahannock, Fauquier and Culpeper Counties.

The Warren County voter turnout was 41%, according to local officials.  Virginia Election officials say that voter turnout this year was higher than it has been for any governor’s race since 2009, with nearly 2,600,000 citizens voting Tuesday. Also bucking the state trend, several candidates who carried Warren County did not fare well when votes were tallied across the Commonwealth.

Warren County Statewide Results:

Governor’s Race:  Gillespie 6,709 votes (65%)     Northam  3,530 votes (34%)
Lt. Governor’s Race: Vogel  6,917 (67%)     Fairfax 3,410  (33%)
Attorney General’s Race:  Adams  6,723 votes (65%)  Herring  3,567 votes (35%)

(Roger Bianchini contributed to this story)