Democrat Northam Wins Virginia Governor’s Race

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrat Ralph Northam has won Virginia’s race for governor.

Early unofficial results show Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie on Tuesday.

Virginia’s hard-fought race was closely watched as a swing-state test of President Donald Trump’s popularity. Northam, a pediatric neurologist and the state’s lieutenant governor, repeatedly tried to tie Gillespie to the president during months of divisive campaigning overshadowed by racial overtones and attack ads.

Tonight we proved that we’re stronger when we value and fight for one another. Onward to Richmond! pic.twitter.com/QIKjRzPHqG

— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) November 8, 2017

Northam’s victory was in large part due to a surge in anti-Trump energy since the president took office. Democrats said they had record levels of enthusiasm heading into the race.

Gillespie kept Trump at a distance throughout the campaign but tried to rally the president’s supporters with hard-edge ads focused on illegal immigration and preserving Confederate statues.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Defeated Virginia gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie says he wishes his Democratic opponent success in the governor’s mansion.

Ralph Northam soundly beat the Republican Gillespie in a bitter race Tuesday that had been expected to be close.

In his concession speech, Gillespie wiped tears from his eyes. He said he had called Northam to offer his support in any way he could.

Gillespie hoped to win by rallying President Donald Trump’s supporters with hard-edge ads focused on illegal immigration and preserving Confederate statues.