[News] Glenn Youngkin: Win for Republican in Virginia governor vote

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59144293

Republican Glenn Youngkin has been elected as Virginia's next governor in a major upset, with his Democratic opponent conceding the race.

The ballot has been widely seen as a referendum on Joe Biden's presidency, and defeat will unnerve the Democrats.

He won by 10 points in Virginia in the presidential election just a year ago.

But rising inflation, a slow economic recovery, a deadlocked legislative agenda and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan have hit his po[CENSORED]rity.

In a speech to cheering supporters, Mr Youngkin promised to get to work straight away to transform the state.

"We work in real people time, not government time," the Republican declared.

Key takeaways from a bad night for Joe Biden
Mr McAuliffe, who served as governor from 2014-18 but saw his opinion poll lead vanish in recent weeks, said he had "come up short" but insisted the state remained on a path towards "inclusion, openness and tolerance for all".

The state's current, Democratic governor, Ralph Northam, was unable to stand for re-election as Virginia does not allow governors to serve consecutive terms in office.

In more potential good news for Republicans in the state, their candidate, former US Marine Winsome Sears, is tipped to become the first black female lieutenant governor of the state, which was the former seat of the pro-slavery Confederacy during the American Civil War.

Winsome Sears celebrates winning the race for Lt. Governor of Virginia as she introduces Republican candidate for Governor Glenn Youngkin during an election night party in Chantilly Virginia, U.S., November 3, 2021.
IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
Image caption,
Winsome Sears is a former US Marine
The Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general, Cuban American Jason Miyares, was also leading that vote count. And Republicans seemed to be closing in on control of the state's House of Delegates.

In other elections across the US on Tuesday:

In New Jersey, Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli is neck and neck with Democratic Governor Phil Murphy
Amid surging crime, Minneapolis voters rejected a proposal to replace the city's police department with a new Department of Public Safety, more than a year after the murder of George Floyd by an officer
As expected, Democrat Eric Adams won New York City's mayoral election to replace his party colleague Bill de Blasio; Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa was involved in an argument at his polling station after turning up to vote with a pet cat and being told his furry friend Gizmo could not enter
Pittsburgh picked its first black mayor, Democrat Ed Gainey