By LARRY O'DELL, The Associated Press
2007-11-07 12:10:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

RICHMOND, Va. -

Democrats knocked off one Republican incumbent and picked up at least two open GOP seats but were well short of the 11-seat gain they needed in Tuesday's elections to take control of the House of Delegates.

In Virginia Beach, Democrat R.W. "Bobby" Mathieson defeated three-term GOP Del. John J. Welch III. Also, in unofficial returns with all precincts reporting, retired Navy captain Joe Bouchard held a 130-vote lead over Republican Chris Stolle, brother of state Sen. Kenneth Stolle, for the seat of retiring Republican Del. Leo C. Wardup, R-Virginia Beach.

"In Pat Robertson's backyard we won today," House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran of Alexandria exulted at an election-night gathering of several hundred Democrats in McLean.

Democrat Paul Nichols defeated Republican Faisal Gill for the seat of retiring Del. Michelle McQuigg, R-Prince William. In Fairfax County, Democrat Margaret Vanderhye edged the GOP's Dave Hunt to succeed Republican Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr.

Moran was pleased that his party cut into the GOP's once-formidable majority.

"I hope it changes the dynamic and the House will become more bipartisan and consensus-building," Moran said in an interview.

Republicans blunted the Democratic gains with a victory over one of the House's three independents. G.M. "Manoli" Loupassi, a former Richmond City Council president, defeated one-term Del. Katherine Waddell.

"The true test of a strong majority is whether it can weather bad times as well as good," House Speaker William J. Howell, R-Stafford, said in a statement. "Tonight, our strong Republican majority in the House of Delegates endured despite a challenging political environment."

Two northern Virginia incumbents - Democrat David Poisson and Republican Tom Rust - were in tight races but held on to win.

The GOP held four open seats:

-Jimmie Massie defeated Democrat Tom Herbert for the seat being vacated by Del. Jack Reid, R-Henrico.

-Brenda L. Pogge beat Democrat Troy J. Farlow and an independent to succeed retiring Del. Melanie Rapp, R-York.

-Donald Merricks of Danville defeated Democrat G. Andy Parker to replace Republican Robert Hurt, who was elected to the Senate.

-Charles Poindexter narrowly beat Democrat Eric Ferguson and an independent for the seat of retiring Del. Allen Dudley, R-Rocky Mount.

Thirty-four incumbents faced opposition, and 59 were unopposed in the 100-member House.

The election took on additional importance because the party in control will oversee legislative and congressional redistricting in 2011. There will be only one other House election before that, in 2009.

Also, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine needed more fellow Democrats to support his agenda in the final two years of his four-year term.

With the stakes so high, candidates were able to raise a record of more than $60 million for the House and Senate elections - double the fundraising the last time all 140 seats were up for election in 2003.

---

Associated Press writer Matthew Barakat contributed to this report from McLean.

dc examiNation and poll: What do you think about Dems gaining ground in Va.?