Voters in Virginia and New Jersey gave Democratic gubernatorial
candidates large victories Tuesday and sent a clear message of
rebuke to Republican President Donald Trump.
In Virginia’s hard-fought contest, Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph
Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie. In New Jersey,
front-running Democrat Phil Murphy overcame Republican Lt. Gov. Kim
Guadagno to succeed unpopular GOP Gov. Chris Christie.
“The days of division are over. We will move forward,” Murphy
said in his victory speech.
The wins in Virginia and New Jersey are a morale boost to
Democrats who had so far been unable to channel anti-Trump energy
into success at the ballot box in a major election this year.
“The people are gonna rise up. They’re not gonna take what he
says and this is not fake news,” said Leanna Barnes, a 76-year-old
from East Orange, New Jersey, who voted for Murphy and added she
saw his victory as a message to the president.
Virginia college student Tamia Mallory said she began paying
attention to her state’s gubernatorial race when she saw tweets
from Trump endorsing Gillespie. That motivated her to examine the
race and find out who was running against Gillespie, she said.
“It was kind of an anti-Trump vote,” Mallory said.
Northam, the state’s lieutenant governor, repeatedly sought
during long months of divisive campaigning to tie Gillespie to the
president. His victory was in large part due to the surge in
anti-Trump sentiment since the president took office. Democrats
said they had record levels of enthusiasm heading into the race in
Virginia, a swing-state and the only Southern state that Trump lost
last year.
Gillespie, meanwhile, sought to keep Trump at a distance
throughout the campaign but tried to rally the president’s
supporters with hard-edge attack ads focused on illegal immigration
and preserving Confederate statues. The strategy was criticized by
Democrats and some Republicans as race baiting, but drew praise
from former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and others as a canny way
to win a state that voted for Hillary Clinton last year.
Trump lent limited pre-election support to Gillespie with
robocalls and tweets.
In one call, Trump said Gillespie shared his views on
immigration and crime and would help “Make America Great Again.”
Trump also said Northam would be a “total disaster” for
Virginia.
But after Tuesday’s loss, Trump suggested that Gillespie hurt
himself by not more closely aligning himself with the
president.
“Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand
for,” Trump said in a tweet after Northam won. He also pointed out
that Republicans have won every special election to the U.S. House
since he was elected.
Northam’s victory is a blow to Republicans, who were hoping that
Gillespie could provide a possible roadmap for moderate Republicans
to follow in next year’s midterm elections. Several Republicans
have announced plans to retire next year instead of seeking
re-election.
Gillespie struck a humble tone in his concession speech as he
offered support to Northam.
He wiped tears from his eyes while thanking his wife and said
the million people who voted for him love Virginia, and so do those
who disagree with them.
“And I know they too are rooting for our new governor to succeed
because we all love the commonwealth of Virginia,” Gillespie
said.
The mood was subdued at Gillespie’s party at a Richmond-area
hotel, with supporters not shocked at the outcome but surprised at
how poorly Republicans did. Democrats swept all three of Virginia’s
statewide races, including contests for attorney general and
lieutenant governor. Several incumbent state House Republicans also
lost their seats.
Gillespie supporter Elsa Smith said Republicans needed to do a
better job of appealing to minorities if they want to win future
races.
“We are not taking care of the demographics the way we should,”
said Smith, an owner of a Spanish translation business.
Democrats were gleeful at Northam’s victory party. U.S. Rep.
Gerry Connolly called Northam the “perfect antidote” to the
president.
“This is a comprehensive victory from the statehouse to the
courthouse. Thank you, President Trump,” Connolly said.
The Democratic victories are another sign of Virginia’s shift
toward a more liberal electorate. Democrats have won every
statewide election since 2009 and now have won four out of the last
five gubernatorial contests. Northam banked heavily during the
campaign on his near-perfect political resume and tried to cast
himself as the low-key doctor with a strong Southern drawl as the
healer to Trump’s divisiveness.
A pediatric neurologist and Army doctor, Northam made health
care reform a centerpiece of his political career and current
campaign, winning key allies along the way. As a state senator he
was a leading opponent of a Republican effort to mandate
ultrasounds before abortions in 2012, winning him strong support
from well-funded abortion-rights groups.
AP
Voters in Virginia and New Jersey gave Democratic gubernatorial
candidates large victories Tuesday and sent a clear message of
rebuke to Republican President Donald Trump.
In Virginia’s hard-fought contest, Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph
Northam defeated Republican Ed Gillespie. In New Jersey,
front-running Democrat Phil Murphy overcame Republican Lt. Gov. Kim
Guadagno to succeed unpopular GOP Gov. Chris Christie.
“The days of division are over. We will move forward,” Murphy
said in his victory speech.
The wins in Virginia and New Jersey are a morale boost to
Democrats who had so far been unable to channel anti-Trump energy
into success at the ballot box in a major election this year.
“The people are gonna rise up. They’re not gonna take what he
says and this is not fake news,” said Leanna Barnes, a 76-year-old
from East Orange, New Jersey, who voted for Murphy and added she
saw his victory as a message to the president.
Virginia college student Tamia Mallory said she began paying
attention to her state’s gubernatorial race when she saw tweets
from Trump endorsing Gillespie. That motivated her to examine the
race and find out who was running against Gillespie, she said.
“It was kind of an anti-Trump vote,” Mallory said.
Northam, the state’s lieutenant governor, repeatedly sought
during long months of divisive campaigning to tie Gillespie to the
president. His victory was in large part due to the surge in
anti-Trump sentiment since the president took office. Democrats
said they had record levels of enthusiasm heading into the race in
Virginia, a swing-state and the only Southern state that Trump lost
last year.
Gillespie, meanwhile, sought to keep Trump at a distance
throughout the campaign but tried to rally the president’s
supporters with hard-edge attack ads focused on illegal immigration
and preserving Confederate statues. The strategy was criticized by
Democrats and some Republicans as race baiting, but drew praise
from former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and others as a canny way
to win a state that voted for Hillary Clinton last year.
Trump lent limited pre-election support to Gillespie with
robocalls and tweets.
In one call, Trump said Gillespie shared his views on
immigration and crime and would help “Make America Great Again.”
Trump also said Northam would be a “total disaster” for
Virginia.
But after Tuesday’s loss, Trump suggested that Gillespie hurt
himself by not more closely aligning himself with the
president.
“Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand
for,” Trump said in a tweet after Northam won. He also pointed out
that Republicans have won every special election to the U.S. House
since he was elected.
Northam’s victory is a blow to Republicans, who were hoping that
Gillespie could provide a possible roadmap for moderate Republicans
to follow in next year’s midterm elections. Several Republicans
have announced plans to retire next year instead of seeking
re-election.
Gillespie struck a humble tone in his concession speech as he
offered support to Northam.
He wiped tears from his eyes while thanking his wife and said
the million people who voted for him love Virginia, and so do those
who disagree with them.
“And I know they too are rooting for our new governor to succeed
because we all love the commonwealth of Virginia,” Gillespie
said.
The mood was subdued at Gillespie’s party at a Richmond-area
hotel, with supporters not shocked at the outcome but surprised at
how poorly Republicans did. Democrats swept all three of Virginia’s
statewide races, including contests for attorney general and
lieutenant governor. Several incumbent state House Republicans also
lost their seats.
Gillespie supporter Elsa Smith said Republicans needed to do a
better job of appealing to minorities if they want to win future
races.
“We are not taking care of the demographics the way we should,”
said Smith, an owner of a Spanish translation business.
Democrats were gleeful at Northam’s victory party. U.S. Rep.
Gerry Connolly called Northam the “perfect antidote” to the
president.
“This is a comprehensive victory from the statehouse to the
courthouse. Thank you, President Trump,” Connolly said.
The Democratic victories are another sign of Virginia’s shift
toward a more liberal electorate. Democrats have won every
statewide election since 2009 and now have won four out of the last
five gubernatorial contests. Northam banked heavily during the
campaign on his near-perfect political resume and tried to cast
himself as the low-key doctor with a strong Southern drawl as the
healer to Trump’s divisiveness.
A pediatric neurologist and Army doctor, Northam made health
care reform a centerpiece of his political career and current
campaign, winning key allies along the way. As a state senator he
was a leading opponent of a Republican effort to mandate
ultrasounds before abortions in 2012, winning him strong support
from well-funded abortion-rights groups.
AP
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