Collegiate Times

The Republican Party has seized all three of the statewide offices up for grabs in a series of decisive wins as Democratic candidate for governor Creigh Deeds conceded the race.

“I called Bob McDonnell a little while ago and congratulated him and wished him well,” Deeds said.

The atmosphere at Republican headquarters at the Mariott Hotel in Richmond could be described as a 'grand old party' as cheering supporters were rallied by party leaders including Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Eric Cantor, whip for the Republican Party in the House Representatives

"I am ready to serve you and start helping to lead Virginia for the next four years," McDonnell said. "Creigh Deeds is a good public servant ... and I look forward to working with Creigh in years to come as he serves in the Virginia Senate."

"My promise to you as governor ... is to strengthen the free enterprise system, to create more jobs and opportunity," McDonnell said.

The tune of Miley Cyrus, Cold Play, and Black Eyed Peas blasted from the Mariott ballroom as the audience celebrated his election victory.

Bob McDonnell is projected to win the gubernatorial election by the nation's major networks, including Fox News and CNN.  Ken Cuccinelli and Bill Bolling are also projected to win their respective positions and have made acceptance speeches.

With a little over 30 percent of the precincts in the state reporting in, McDonnell has a solid lead of 64 percent of the vote over Democrat Creigh Deeds. 

Candidate for lieutenant governor Bill Bolling and attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli also lead decisively over their Democratic challengers, both with over 60 percent of the vote.

Republicans have claimed the victory represents a referendum against Democrats on the federal level, particularly against policies of the Obama Administration, including health care reform, cap-and-trade legislation, and fiscal spending.

"I have this message for the pundits: all the votes have been counted. Virginia's red!" Bolling said.

"Government's duty is to protect the people, not run their lives," Cuccinelli said. Protecting American from 'big government' was a key theme as the election results rolled in.

Even before the projection announcements, Republicans and attendees at the Mariott were confident of victory.

"American's proud of you tonight," Steele said, several hours before McDonnell's projected win. "Let the numbers roll in, baby, let 'em show the victory!"

That confidence was validated as more precincts reported results, showing a Republican sweep of the statewide elections as McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli outperformed their Democratic opponents by margins of almost two to one.

"Thank you for doing the hard work of freedom," Cantor said.  "Because of you we won a great victory tonight, and because of you that Republican resurgence, that revolution, has begun again."

"History will record that it began right here in Virginia," Cantor said.