Republicans Claim Victory in Virgina Senate

Republicans now hold a 20-20 split in the Virginia Senate which will make GOP Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling the tie breaking vote. Sadly, this development means that Virginia will likely see insane, reactionary measures like the "personhood" initiative in Mississippi (which was thankfully defeated ) come before the Virginia Senate and secure passage. It's mind numbing that in too many districts, voters rewarded the party's whose policies have brought on the ongoing economic disaster. Much of the blame for this likely lies with "Christian" conservatives who were mobilized by the hate merchants at The Family Foundation and pastors who serve as water carriers for hate high priestess Victoria Cobb. Blame also falls on moderates who were too lazy to get out and vote. In many parts of the state - e.g., Martinsville with its 20% unemployment) - the GOP's far right policies will make GOP supporting localities even less attractive to companies that might otherwise relocate to them. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot.

Virginia Republicans early Wednesday claimed victory in their quest to take the state Senate - if not with an outright majority, with a 20-20 split that gives the Republican lieutenant governor, Bill Bolling, the tie-breaking vote.

Republican control could give McDonnell freer rein in the second half of his term and could also signal a more conservative turn on issues such as abortion, gun rights and illegal immigration.

The Senate battle came down to two races with razor-thin margins. One of the critical contests was the race between veteran Democratic Sen. Edward Houck and Republican challenger Bryce Reeves in a Fredericksburg-area district. Unofficial State Board of Elections tallies showed Reeves with an 86 vote lead over Houck out of nearly 45,000 ballots casts, a margin statistically slim enough to allow for a recount under state law.

Another close race is a matchup of two sitting senators – Democrat Roscoe Reynolds and Republican Bill Stanley – in Southside Virginia that ranks as one of the most expensive races this cycle. Unofficial results with all precincts counted showed Stanley the victor by 643 votes out of more than 47,000 cast.

Homophobes like Bob Marshall and Ken Cuccinelli must be salivating over some of the hate and batshitery they will now be able to advance.