VA GOV: Riding The Coattails
GOPers may have swept the three statewide offices in VA, but they also appear to have netted 2-4 seats in the House of Delegates, padding their current majority of 55-45 (including indies who caucus with the GOP.) Will Gov-elect Bob McDonnell (R) look to appoint one or more Dem state senators to other office, hoping to force special elections and reverse the 21-19 Dem majority? Redistricting is right around the corner. Of course, Dems will first have a shot at picking up AG-elect Ken Cuccinelli's (R) state Senate seat, once he resigns. He only won by 92 votes in '07, so expect a competitive special election there. [QUINN MCCORD]
I'd venture to say five: likely victories by GOP challengers Greason, Stolle, LeMunyon, Anderson, Morefield, and Comstock, countered by the loss of the 52nd and 93rd.