Democrats win NYC and Virginia polls Bill de Blasio on victory: Our work is just beginning Democrats have won key elections in New York City and the state of Virginia, in the first major round of polls since President Obamas re-election in 2012. Preliminary results show Bill de Blasio will replace three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg to become the first Democrat leading New York City in two decades. In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe beat Republican Ken Cuccinelli in a very close race for the governors seat. Republican Chris Christie was easily re-elected governor of New Jersey. Tuesdays races are seen as an early test of both parties strengths ahead of next years congressional mid-term elections. Progressive path With 14 precincts reporting in New York, Mr de Blasio secured 73% of the vote, convincingly defeating his Republican rival Joe Lhota, who polled 24%. In his victory speech, Mr de Blasio said the poll showed that Americas largest city had chosen a progressive path, and he promised to make fighting income inequality his top priority. He is the citys first Democratic mayor since 1993. He ran Hillary Clintons 2000 Senate campaign, and is seen as one of the most liberal politicians who has run for mayor in decades. Mr Lhota admitted defeat, saying the race had been a good fight, a fight worth having. Mr Lhota ran the citys public transport authority under Mayor Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent, and also worked in the administration of Rudolph Giuliani. Last year, Mr Lhota was lauded for quickly getting the vast subway system running again after a huge storm, Sandy, flooded swathes of the city. Republican Joe Lhota (left) conceded his defeat to Democrat Bill de Blasio in New York City In Virginia, Democrat Terry McAuliffe (left) appears to have edged out Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Republican New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (left) easily defeated his Democratic challenger Barbara Buono Close race In Virginia, Mr McAuliffe won an extremely tight race, defeating Mr Cuccinelli. With results from 97% of precincts so far counted, Mr McAuliffe has polled 47% to his opponents 46%. Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign. Mr Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has angled for the support of the hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans. Mr McAuliffe, who has raised much more money, has sought to link Mr Cuccinelli to last months partial shutdown of the federal government, which was brought about by Republicans in Washington DC. Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, has seen a demographic shift in recent years. Mr Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the last two presidential elections. Christies triumph In New Jersey, Mr Christie was declared the unofficial winner by the US media just minutes after the polls closed. Thank you New Jersey for making me the luckiest guy in the world, he told supporters after his victory. With 70% of precincts reporting later, Mr Christie won 60% against 39% polled by Mrs Buono. Analysts say Mr Christies popularity with voters in Democratic-leaning New Jersey makes him a contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, because it could enable him to claim broad political appeal. Mr Christie was already a popular figure when Superstorm Sandy devastated the states coastline a year ago. His response to the storm attracted national attention. While many in New Jersey support Mrs Buonos positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her relatively low profile. The results of Tuesdays polls could prove an early measure of the parties support ahead of the midterm elections of 2014, which will decide the make-up of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and the governorships in more than half the states. In Washington, Mr Obamas Democratic party controls the Senate, while the Republicans hold sway in the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, Mr Obama will vacate the presidency in 2017. BBC © 2013
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 13:21:07 +0000