Fairfax Helps Seal Victory for McAuliffe in VA Governor’s Race

Fairfax County helped boost Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe to a narrow victory over Republican Ken Cuccinelli Tuesday in the race for Virginia’s governor.

Cuccinelli led McAuliffe as returns started coming in when the polls closed at 7 p.m.. However, after votes from Fairfax — which helped Virginia elect President Obama in 2008 and 2012 — were counted around 10 p.m. McAuliffe was projected the winner with 47.4 percent of the vote to Cuccinelli’s 46. Independent Robert Sarvis earned 6.6 percent of the vote, according to the Virginia Board of Elections. Cuccinelli conceded the race about 10:30 p.m.

In Fairfax, McAuliffe earned 58 percent of the votes, Cuccinelli, 36 percent and Sarvis, 5 percent.

Democrat Ralph Northam easily defeated E.W. Jackson (R) for Lt. Governor, but the race for Attorney General was too close to call as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. Republican Mark Obenshain was leading Mark Herring (D) by less than a point. (50.2 to 49.5).

Longtime Virginia Del. Ken Plum of Reston ran uncontested and was re-elected to represent the 36th District in the Virginia House. Plum, who served from 1978-80 and constantly since 1982, is the longest-serving current Virginia delegate.

Democratic Sheriff candidate Stacey Kincaid defeated Bryan Wolfe and to become Fairfax County’s first woman sheriff. The Fairfax County Public Schools’ $250 million bond issue also easily passed. Several Reston schools are on the list for improvements with the money from the bond issue.

For complete results, visit the Virginia Board of Elections website.