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Republican Christie re-elected New Jersey governor Republican Christie re-elected New Jersey governor
(35 minutes later)
Republican Chris Christie has been re-elected governor of New Jersey, US media project.Republican Chris Christie has been re-elected governor of New Jersey, US media project.
Gov Christies beat easily his Democratic challenger, state Senator Barbara Buono, CNN, CBS and NBC said. She later admitted defeat.Gov Christies beat easily his Democratic challenger, state Senator Barbara Buono, CNN, CBS and NBC said. She later admitted defeat.
In New York City, the media predicted a victory for Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio to replace three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg.In New York City, the media predicted a victory for Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio to replace three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In the Virginia governor election, the race is too close to call. Democrat Terry McAuliffe looks set to win the Virginia governorship.
Tuesday's races are the first major round of elections since President Barack Obama won a second term in the White House one year ago.Tuesday's races are the first major round of elections since President Barack Obama won a second term in the White House one year ago.
They are seen as an early test of the Republican and Democratic parties' strengths ahead of next year's critical congressional mid-term elections.They are seen as an early test of the Republican and Democratic parties' strengths ahead of next year's critical congressional mid-term elections.
New Jersey victoryNew Jersey victory
In New Jersey, Mr Christie, 51, was declared the unofficial winner by the US media just minutes after the polls closed.In New Jersey, Mr Christie, 51, was declared the unofficial winner by the US media just minutes after the polls closed.
Analysts say Mr Christie's popularity with voters in Democratic-leaning New Jersey makes him a contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, because it could enable him to claim broad political appeal.Analysts say Mr Christie's popularity with voters in Democratic-leaning New Jersey makes him a contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, because it could enable him to claim broad political appeal.
Mr Christie was already a popular figure when Superstorm Sandy devastated the state's coastline a year ago. His response to the storm attracted national attention.Mr Christie was already a popular figure when Superstorm Sandy devastated the state's coastline a year ago. His response to the storm attracted national attention.
He has been campaigning across the state since last week, even as polls suggested he had an advantage of at least 20 points on Ms Buono.He has been campaigning across the state since last week, even as polls suggested he had an advantage of at least 20 points on Ms Buono.
While many in New Jersey support her positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her relatively low profile.While many in New Jersey support her positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her relatively low profile.
New York raceNew York race
Polls have now closed in New York City, and the US media are predicting a victory for Mr de Blasio.Polls have now closed in New York City, and the US media are predicting a victory for Mr de Blasio.
His campaign later tweeted: "Thank you, New York City."His campaign later tweeted: "Thank you, New York City."
He had a commanding lead in opinion polls over Republican Joe Lhota, a former senior official in the mayoral administrations of Mr Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudolph Giuliani.He had a commanding lead in opinion polls over Republican Joe Lhota, a former senior official in the mayoral administrations of Mr Bloomberg and his predecessor Rudolph Giuliani.
Mr de Blasio, the city's public advocate, ran Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. He is seen as one of the most liberal mayoral candidates in decades.Mr de Blasio, the city's public advocate, ran Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. He is seen as one of the most liberal mayoral candidates in decades.
Mr Lhota ran the city's public transport authority under Mr Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent,Mr Lhota ran the city's public transport authority under Mr Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent,
Mr Lhota was lauded for quickly getting the vast subway system running again after a huge storm, Sandy, flooded swathes of the city last year.Mr Lhota was lauded for quickly getting the vast subway system running again after a huge storm, Sandy, flooded swathes of the city last year.
Virginia governorVirginia governor
Voting has also ended in the Virginia governor race, with Democrat Terry McAuliffe pitted against Republican Ken Cuccinelli.Voting has also ended in the Virginia governor race, with Democrat Terry McAuliffe pitted against Republican Ken Cuccinelli.
With results from 91% of precincts so far counted, Mr McAuliffe has polled 47% to his opponent's 46% and is predicted to be heading for victory.
Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and Mrs Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign.Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and Mrs Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign.
Mr Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has angled for the support of the hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans.Mr Cuccinelli, the Virginia attorney general, has angled for the support of the hardcore conservative Tea Party movement of Republicans.
Mr McAuliffe, who has raised much more money, has sought to link Mr Cuccinelli to last month's partial shutdown of the federal government, which was brought about by Republicans in Washington DC.Mr McAuliffe, who has raised much more money, has sought to link Mr Cuccinelli to last month's partial shutdown of the federal government, which was brought about by Republicans in Washington DC.
Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, has seen a demographic shift in recent years. Mr Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the last two presidential elections.Virginia, long a Republican stronghold, has seen a demographic shift in recent years. Mr Obama, a Democrat, won the state in the last two presidential elections.
The results of Tuesday's polls could prove an early measure of the parties' support ahead of the midterm elections of 2014, which will decide the make-up of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and the governorships in more than half the states.The results of Tuesday's polls could prove an early measure of the parties' support ahead of the midterm elections of 2014, which will decide the make-up of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, and the governorships in more than half the states.
In Washington, Mr Obama's Democratic party controls the Senate, while the Republicans hold sway in the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, Mr Obama will vacate the presidency in 2017.In Washington, Mr Obama's Democratic party controls the Senate, while the Republicans hold sway in the House of Representatives. Now in his second term, Mr Obama will vacate the presidency in 2017.