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No.Va. victories crucial to Dems
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Chap Petersen holds up a pair of shoes with worn soles while announcing his win in his race for the Virginia Senate during the Virginia Democratic election results party in Fairfax, Va. on Tue. Nov. 6.
In the region’s most-expensive and most-vitriolic race, Chap Petersen trounced Republican incumbent Jeannemarie Devolites Davis by 11 points in the 34th district, which includes Fairfax City and Vienna. Petersen won every precinct in Vienna, where Davis and her husband, U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, live.
George Barker’s 3-point victory over Clifton Republican Jay O’Brien gave the Democrats the 21st seat the party needed for a majority. The Democrats narrowly missed picking up additional seats in Fredericksburg and Loudoun County.
“I can’t wait to get back to Richmond to work with all of these Democratic newcomers,” Gov. Tim Kaine told a victory celebration at the McLean Hilton.
In the 37th Senate district, which covers parts of Western Fairfax County, Republican incumbent Ken Cuccinelli holds a 91-vote (.23 percent) lead over Democrat Janet Oleszek, but Democratic strategists expect there will be a recount today.
Democrats added swelled their ranks in the House of Delegates to 44, including victories in Northern Virginia by Margi Vanderhye and Paul Nichols.
“The Republican party had problems putting a moderate message out in Northern Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “The party has consistently nominated conservative candidates and as President Bush is becoming more unpopular, it has been very poisonous for their legislative candidates.”
In other hot local House races, Republicans Tim Hugo and Tom Rust, and Democrats Chuck Caputo and David Poisson fended off pesky challenges to keep their seats.
In late local races, Democrat challenger John Foust dethroned Fairfax County Supervisor Joan Dubois and Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart kept his seat by besting Democrat Sharon Pandak by 11 points.
Comments from Examiner Readers
12:08 AM MST on Thu., Nov. 8, 2007 re: "No.Va. victories crucial to Dems"
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2:34 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 7, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
You want Democrats, you got em. Higher taxes, sprawl and illegals rule.
106 agree | 115 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Here comes higher taxes,sprawl and a haven for those illegally here in Fairfax County. And this coming from me, a card carrying Democrat?
113 agree | 104 disagree
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BostonRay said:
Fortunately we will still have the House to shut out the predictable deluge of taxocrat 'agenda based' left wing moonbat ideas. Smoking bans, Gorebull warming, "green", organic food and sanctuary cities will just about sum up their session until the next election. Their accomplishments will add up to zippo.
108 agree | 103 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Trial lawyers won big time, They bought and paid for your man. This election was not Cheney and Halliburton it was Chap and Lawyers. Besides I am glad I do not live in wimpy Fairfax they are to gay or queer to allow mudslinging, those oh so intolerant wimps.
99 agree | 117 disagree
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G said:
Oh well, Virginians, it sucks to be you. Oh wait, I'm in Maryland, it sucks even more to be us!
115 agree | 102 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Davis was left of moderate, they wanted this seat and paid millions for it, you too will pay millions more in taxes now. The republicans in Virginia need a Jesus meeting. Give Kaine credit he outsmarted them.
108 agree | 107 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Republican party had problems putting a moderate message out in Northern Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “The party has consistently nominated conservative candidates and as President Bush is becoming more unpopular, it has been very poisonous for their legislative candidates.” What does Bush have to do with local elections? The republicans did not defend that this freaking war is the backbone of defense contractor's making huge profits, in Northern Virginia. Ever since 9-11. Virginia has only Bush to thank for their economy and housing market going up up up.... We now have the top four zip codes for themost expensive places to live, in this country why? Because of the Bush economy. The Democrats outfoxed the foxes and the chickens ran ! Say Good bye to Howell and Hager.. Davis could not win in a smug Andy of Mayberry wanna be city, of newly minted wealth. Fairfax is radical, pro death and guns
114 agree | 108 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If Tacoma Park is Berkley, Then Fairfax is the Castro district of San Fran. You asked for it now live with the increases.
109 agree | 101 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
GET RID OF HOWELL AND HAGER NOW ! STOP trying to run non Republicans people want the real thing. The democrats voted what they wanted not live with the higher costs. The republicans should be ashamed that they could not send a moderate who delivered back. This is why The party will continue to lose. The greedy old fats cats, who retired during a crucial races should be shunned. Democrats would have never left for retirement. If you want to be a republican stop listening to old bulls. Like Howell and Hager Their time has come and gone. Say no more to Gilmore. The race of Petersen and Davis was not worth wasting the money. With a sitting President and a rating as low as it is, you all ran from your own issues
110 agree | 98 disagree
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