US Election 2013: Terry McAuliffe wins Virginia governor race

Democrat Terry McAuliffe beat Republican Ken Cuccinelli in a very close race for Virginia governor’s seat.

Republican Chris Christie was easily re-elected governor of New Jersey.

Tuesday’s races are seen as an early test of both parties’ strengths ahead of next year’s congressional mid-term elections.

In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe won an extremely tight race, defeating Ken Cuccinelli.

With results in from 99.7% of precincts, Terry McAuliffe polled 47% to his opponent’s 45%.

Terry 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.

Ken Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has angled for the support of the hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans.

Terry McAuliffe, who has raised much more money, has sought to link Ken Cuccinelli to last month’s 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. Barack Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the last two presidential elections.