Kaine Claims Victory in Virginia

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Democratic Party Wins at Least Four Key State Senate Races
By Michael D. Shear

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) claimed victory tonight in Tuesday's elections, saying his party had seized control of the state Senate and made historic gains in the House of Delegates.

In a speech to Democratic Party activists gathered at a hotel in Tysons Corner, Kaine hailed the political changes that have swept through Virginia, beginning with the election of Gov. Mark R. Warner in 2001, his own election four years later and last year's victory by U.S. Sen. James Webb.

Kaine's comments came as the votes were still being counted across the commonwealth. But what was clear to the governor was already emerging in the tallies: Democrats in Virginia made big gains in the legislature and in key local races Tuesday night as the commonwealth's voters continued to dramatically shift their preferences away from the Republican elected leadership they installed during the 1990s.

The party won at least four key state Senate races -- including a bitter and costly battle between Democrat J.C. "Chap" Petersen and Republican incumbent Jeannemarie Devolites Davis -- giving them a 21-19 edge in the chamber, which has been under Republican control since 1997.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/06/AR2007110601036.html?hpid=topnews

Kaine declares Dems victory(video)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2007/11/06/VI2007110602701.html?hpid=topnews