There were two different election parties held in Richmond Tuesday night on opposite ends of the city. The next morning, while one party examined specifically how to "alter the course of change in Virginia over the next four years," as Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said, the other reflected on how to recover from its losses.
Virginia Republicans were victorious in electing their governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general candidates, along with increasing the Republican lead in the House of Delegates. The election shifted the balance from 44 Democratic delegates and 54 Republicans - including two Independents who typically vote Republican - to 59 Republicans, two Independents and 39 Democrats. Several races, however, may be subject to recount.
This significant Democratic minority in the House of Delegates makes Democratic proactive legislation "pretty unrealistic" in 2010, said Isaac Wood, assistant communications direct for the University's Center for Politics and a former Cavalier Daily opinion columnist. "The Virginia Democrats' battle in 2010, going forward, is going to be protecting the things that are already in place that they value."
Transportation remains a key issue for state voters, particularly those in Northern Virginia. House Democrats probably would have looked into imposing a gas tax to address perceived problems and budgetary deficits, Wood said, should they have maintained what seats they had or grown their numbers. In contrast, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell plans to get funding from "12 separate funding mechanisms that will get long-needed projects underway and provide $1.4 billion annually in new revenue for transportation, without raising taxes," McDonnell spokesperson Crystal Cameron said. The feasibility of such plans on either party's side is sure to be subject to much debate in Richmond.
During his campaign, McDonnell emphasized the economy, asserting that his top priority would be "bringing jobs and opportunity to every region of Virginia." Former governor and University alumnus George Allen said Tuesday night that new Virginia Republican administration will create more jobs in two ways: passing legislation friendlier to small businesses, and using Virginia's abundant clean coal supply and exploring the coast for oil and gas to transform the state into an alternative energy leader.
To reignite Virginia's economic engine, however, McDonnell and fellow Republicans will have to grapple with a host of difficult financial situations come January. State revenue has been steadily decreasing since last year and Virginia is constitutionally obligated to have a balanced budget. "If revenue continues to decline, the deficit must be made up through higher taxes or spending cuts," Wood said, adding that Republicans typically choose spending cuts. Where those cuts will come from in 2010 will be a point of high contention, he added.
Cameron added that McDonnell plans to privatize Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stores, to issue $3 billion in available bonds for transportation and to support the future bond issuance of $1 billion for highly congested areas. The changes are meant to stimulate economic recovery across the commonwealth.
Moving forward, both Democrats and Republicans will take a look at their respective campaigns and election results, adjusting for the future with the benefit of hindsight.
McDonnell won because "the Virginia population is primarily right of center," Republican strategist Louis Cordia said. "McDonnell has presented a number of policies right of center, giving conservative independents something to vote for."
Reelected Lt. Governor Bill Bolling attributed his party's successful election to its focus on issues, not politics. Cuccinelli, among other Republicans, spoke election night about how the Virginia victory was reflective of widespread discontent with President Obama and his administration. Several exit polls, though, showed that the economy, not necessarily Obama, was most voters' main concern.
As a result, Democrats are examining Creigh Deeds' choice to avoid looking like an "Obama Democrat" for the majority of his gubernatorial campaign.
"Many people are pointing to the fact that Obama was used more heavily in New Jersey, and perhaps as a result, the New Jersey election was closer," Wood said.
He added that the real challenge for Virginia Democrats will be preparing enough to make next year's election a highly contested one.
"Virginia Democrats need to focus on mobilizing the group of voters who showed up to vote for Obama in 2009," he said, "but failed to show up Tuesday for Deeds"
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