TYSONS CORNER, Va. (AP) _ Democrat Terry McAuliffe has been elected Virginia’s next governor, defeating Republican Ken Cuccinelli after pledging to expand the state’s Medicaid rolls and portraying his rival as someone who would turn back years of progress.
Turnout for Tuesday’s election was low, and both candidates worked through Election Day to reach as many potential voters as possible.
Democratic state Sen. Ralph Northam defeated Republican E.W. Jackson for Virginia’s lieutenant governor, in a race sharply defined by social issues. Northam easily beat Jackson on Tuesday and succeeds Republican Bill Bolling. A Democrat hasn’t occupied the office since U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine was lieutenant governor in 2006. The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and casts a ballot on tie votes.
