"Emily whipped her. And she whipped her good. There was no question about this race."
With that statement, Del. Mitch Van Yahres (D-57th), who ran unopposed, pronounced incumbent State Sen. Emily Couric's, D-Charlottesville, landslide victory over Republican challenger Jane Maddux to a jubilant crowd of over 100 supporters at the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlottesville last night.
Couric captured 66 percent of the vote compared to 34 percent for Maddux. Couric received 26,807 votes and Maddux received 13,999.
She announced her victory at about 8:30 p.m.
"I feel as if I'm someone who's successfully reapplied for a job," she joked in her victory speech. "It was a great campaign."
In the speech, Couric emphasized the issues she stood for and the positive response from the voters of the 25th district.
"We asked the voters ... to continue the fight for better schools ... to demand affordable access to health care ... and be smart about growth," she said. "With their votes, they signed on."
Couric also thanked her opponent for keeping the campaign free of negative advertising and remarks.
"Our entire community ... appreciates this kind of campaign," she said.
In an interview after her acceptance speech, she added she was pleased with the chance to take the goals of her campaign back to the General Assembly.
"It's a wonderful opportunity to take the message from our campaign for better schools and quality health care" and create legislation on these issues, Couric said.
Van Yahres said he was glad to have Couric back for another term in the Senate.
"She has so many good qualities," he said. Couric has "everything the public should desire in a legislator.
"It's a pleasure to be serving with her," he added.
Couric said she was not too concerned about the Republicans gaining control of the General Assembly.
"I have found members of the other party are able to work together" with Democrats, she said.
But Van Yahres said he felt the General Assembly would be a "different environment" under Republican control.
Couric declined to comment on whether she now will use her broad base of public support to seek higher statewide office. Some analysts and party observers have speculated that Couric may run for Lt. Governor in 2001.
"I'm just enjoying tonight. Tomorrow is just another day," she said.
But former University Democrats President Rhodes Ritenour said he hopes Couric does consider running for a higher position.
"I would be elated to see Emily Couric hold a higher office," Ritenour said. "More than anyone else she looks to the future ... and [she] is always there for her constituents."
He said he considers Couric "one of the most exciting Democrats in the Commonwealth.
"I believe we can really look to her to move mountains in the next four years," he added.
Fourth-year College student Josh Scott served as one of Couric's campaign managers.
"I haven't been to class in about three weeks, but it has been well worth it," Scott said. "It's great to work for a candidate you really believe in."
He said he hopes Couric continues to exercise an "extremely powerful voice in Richmond."
In her victory speech, Couric thanked many supporters as well as her family.
"Tonight we celebrate your hard work," she said. "Thank you for helping me carry our message."
But Couric also urged the crowd not to consider her victory the end of their work but merely the beginning of an effort to accomplish the goals she set during the campaign.
The time to move "from politics to governance, from partisanship to statesmanship" is ahead, she said. "I'm honored to represent you and your wishes and dreams for our community. And we can make them come true"
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