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So far the GOP has a trifecta in Virginia winning the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General Seats.  Also a big win in New Jersey as Chris Christie beats incumbant Governor Jon Corzine.

With the Virginia Governor Race:  Republican Bob McDonnell trounced Democrat Creigh Deeds 59% to 41%.

In New Jersey Gubernatorial race – Chris Christie (R) 49%, Governor Jon Corzine (D) 44% and Chris Daggett (I) 5%.

A disappointment for me, but admittedly a long shot from where he started, Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate, lost to Democrat Bill Owens in the special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District.  Owens had 49% of the vote and Hoffman 45%.  Strangely enough Dede Scozzafava who dropped out of the race picked up 5%.

Thoughts on it all.

Looking at New Jersey exit polling:

  • The youth vote was down, only 9%, and that certainly hurt Corzine, he won it but, in 2008 17% of voters were 18-29.
  • Christie overwhelming won seniors (and won every other age category).
  • Christie also cleaned up the independent vote – 60% to Corzine’s 30%.  That is huge.

Virginia exit polling:

  • McDonnell won all age groups and genders.
  • McDonnell also won independents on 2 to 1 margin.

NY 23:

  • Who votes for a candidate who is not even running yet?  Not to say that would have all gone to Hoffman, but it certainly made an impact.
  • The GOP would have been smart to have a primary vote.
  • While a Democrat is the winner, Scozzafava was far more liberal.
  • Scozzafava’s endorsement for Owens likely swayed enough voters.
  • The fact that Hoffman was a long-shot in third place a couple of weeks ago this is still remarkable.  No those who endorsed him are not “losers.”  Mitt Romney did not come out the “winner” by not endorsing Hoffman.
  • If the local GOP has its act together and nominates a center-right candidate Owens won’t likely keep his seat in 2010.
  • The GOP establishment had better start listening to the grassroots.

It’ll be interesting to read the blogosphere on this.

Update: Maine voters repeal gay marriage law with 52% voting in favor of its repeal.  It looks like their Legislature overreached.  Look for heads to roll in 2010?  Money quote from that story:

Gay marriage has now lost in every single state — 31 in all — in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine.

Let the people vote.

2nd Update: Governor Palin wrote “A Victory for Common Sense and Fiscal Sanity” last night:

Congratulations to the new Governors-Elect of Virginia and New Jersey! I’d also like to offer a special word of support to the new Lieutenant Governor-Elect of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno, the first woman to hold that office.

Of course, the real victors in this election are the ordinary men and women who voted for positive change and a return to fiscal sanity. Your voices have been heard.

The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.

To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976:

“The cause goes on. Don’t get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.”

The cause goes on.

– Sarah Palin

Also, Polly Two Cents had a good write-up on the Maine vote and why it should give Iowans hope, be sure to check it out.

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