Public Policy Advocates

The Virginia Governor’s race was not expected to be very competitive, as Republican candidate Bob McConnell had shown a solid lead in polls leading up to election day.  McDonnell, currently Virginia’s Attorney General, faced off against Democrat State Senator Creigh Deeds.  This race was a rematch of sorts, as McDonnell beat Deeds in 2005 for Attorney General by a mere 400 votes.  The Governor’s Mansion has been occupied since 2002 by Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, whose term ends this year.  However, despite the recent history of Democratic Governors as well as President Obama winning the state’s 13 electoral votes in 2008, the Republican candidate McConnell was able to win back the seat by a tally of 59% to 41%.