RICHMOND-The Republican Party made history in Virginia last night, taking both houses of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction in a state with a traditionally Democratic legislature.
"Free at least - free at last," Gov. James S. Gilmore III (R) said to a booming audience after election results indicated Republicans had gained majority status.
"Democracy has finally come to the Commonwealth," Gilmore said, in reference to the end of the Democrat's hold on state government.
Early results indicated Republicans garnered a 53-47 advantage over Democrats in the House - including an Independent who votes with the Republicans - breaking the tie they held with Democrats last term, and maintaining their 21-19 lead in the Senate.
The Republican win comes two years after Republicans gained all three top state offices, also for the first time in Commonwealth history.
"Isn't it great to be a Republican in Virginia," former Gov. George Allen (R) said to the roaring crowd. "Our party is united like never before."
Republicans only needed to pick up one seat to put the 2001 redistricting in their hands, but by gaining extra seats, they now have a firm control on the House to push through conservative initiatives.
"We have a solid majority in the House of Delegates," Allen said.
Gilmore said the election was a win for conservatives and a step toward a unified society.
"It's a victory for inclusion," he said. "All of us are coming together in the Republican Party.
"And it's a victory for conservatism," he added.
Gilmore said Republicans would use the new majority to preserve Republican-lead tax cut initiatives, such as the phasing out of the car tax and his proposed property tax cut.
"This is the largest tax cut in the history of Virginia," he said, referring to the car tax cut. "The Republican majority will protect these tax cuts."
The Governor also staked out education as the top priority of his administration.
In an interview with The Cavalier Daily, Gilmore said he would continue to regulate state higher education costs.
"We want to make the University affordable," he said.
Audience members cheered and hugged as Republican leaders announced their successes in the ballot box.
But despite the hoop-la, Attorney General Mark Earley (R) said in an interview with The Cavalier Daily that Republicans had a serious task in front of them.
"It's a sobering evening for Republicans," Earley said. "Virginians have asked us to lead into the 21st century. It's important to recognize the importance of that responsibility."
In an election where two-thirds of the seats were uncontested and many contested races involved popular incumbents, only a few close races decided the election.
Republican Jane H. Woods lost her State Senate seat by less than 50 votes to former U.S. Sen. Leslie L. Bryne (D-34th).
But Republicans beat out Democratic incumbent Stanley C. Walker, the Senate Speaker pro tempera, with D. Dick Rerras (R) to keep their two seat advantage in the Senate.
In the House, Republicans picked up three of the open seats and lost only two. They won House district 91 with Phil Larrabee Jr., district 30 with George E. Broman Jr., and district 44 with Scott T. Klein.
Analysts expected the Republicans to win control of the House of Delegates because seats where incumbents are retiring are the easiest to pick up - and of the five contested open seats, Democrat incumbents were leaving four.
Republicans relish the victory in part because of the frustration they feel with how the Democrats ran government during their long reign, such as gerrymandering districts during redistricting.
Gilmore said the Republican Party would elevate state politics and usher in the new century.
"We will lead into the 21st century as a party," he said. "Democracy will follow Virginia home forever."
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