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Republican Christie re-elected New Jersey governor Democrats win key New York City and Virginia polls
(about 1 hour later)
Republican Chris Christie has been re-elected governor of New Jersey, US media project. Democrats have won key elections in New York City and the state of Virginia, in the first major round of polls since President Obama's re-election in 2012.
Gov Christies beat easily his Democratic challenger, state Senator Barbara Buono, CNN, CBS and NBC said. She later admitted defeat. Preliminary results show Bill de Blasio will replace three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg to become the first Democrat leading New York in two decades.
In New York City, the media predicted a victory for Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio to replace three-term Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In Virginia, Terry McAuliffe beat Republican Ken Cuccinelli in a very close race for the governor's seat.
Democrat Terry McAuliffe has won the Virginia governorship, projections say. Republican Chris Christie was easily re-elected governor of New Jersey.
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 seen as an early test of both parties' strengths ahead of next year's 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. 'Progressive path'
New Jersey victory With 14 precincts reporting in New York, Mr de Blasio secured 73% of the vote, convincingly defeating his Republican rival Joe Lhota, who polled 24%.
In New Jersey, Mr Christie, 51, was declared the unofficial winner by the US media just minutes after the polls closed. In his victory speech, Mr de Blasio said the poll showed that America's largest city had chosen "a progressive path", and he promised to make fighting income inequality his top priority.
"Thank you New Jersey for making me the luckiest guy in the world," he told supporters after his victory. He is the city's first Democratic mayor since 1993.
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. He ran Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign, and is seen as one of the most liberal politicians who has run for mayor in decades.
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 Lhota admitted defeat, saying the race had been a good fight: a fight worth having.
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. Mr Lhota ran the city's public transport authority under Mayor Bloomberg, a Republican-turned-independent, and also worked in the administration of Rudolph Giuliani.
While many in New Jersey support her positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her relatively low profile. 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.
New York race Close race
Polls have now closed in New York City, with Mr de Blasio winning out over his Republican rival. In Virginia, Mr McAuliffe won an extremely-tight race, defeating Mr Cuccinelli.
His campaign later tweeted: "Thank you, New York City." With results from 97% of precincts so far counted, Mr McAuliffe has polled 47% to his opponent's 46%.
For his part, Mr Lhota said the race had been a good fight, a fight worth having. Mr McAuliffe is a businessman and veteran Democratic party fundraiser. He has close ties to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, serving as chairman of her 2008 presidential campaign.
Going in the election, 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 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.
Virginia governor
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 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.
Christie's triumph
In New Jersey, Mr Christie was declared the unofficial winner by the US media just minutes after the polls closed.
"Thank you New Jersey for making me the luckiest guy in the world," he told supporters after his victory.
With 70% of precincts reporting later, Mr Christie won 60% against 39% polled by Mrs Buono.
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.
While many in New Jersey support Mrs Buono's positions, she has had difficulty raising money, even from Democrats, because of her relatively low profile.
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.