RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ President Barack Obama has won Virginia’s 13 electoral votes for the second presidential election in a row, repeating the swing-state victory that clinched the White House for him in 2008.
Obama’s narrow victory over Republican Mitt Romney shattered the GOP’s claims that Obama’s Virginia victory four years ago — the first time the GOP lost Virginia in a presidential race since 1964 — was a fluke.
Obama led Romney comfortably in polls for most of the year, but saw his advantage wither in October after a lethargic performance in the first of three presidential debates this year. An overhauled Republican turnout effort far better than in 2008, also created trouble for Obama in Virginia.
Both candidates, their running mates and VIP surrogates contested Virginia almost nonstop through Tuesday.
The Associated Press and Velvet Hall contributed to this report.
