Election Day: Christie Holds New Jersey, as Dems Retake Virginia

Election 2013: McAuliffe edges Cuccinelli, Christie coasts (Politico)

National Democratic and Republican leaders moved to claim victory in a battle for the political mainstream Tuesday night, as GOP Gov. Chris Christie romped to reelection in New Jersey and former Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe narrowly pulled out a victory in Virginia’s off-year governor’s race.

Both elections were closely watched as barometers of the national political mood and as early episodes in the 2016 presidential election: Christie’s landslide win bolsters his standing as a Republican contender for the White House, while McAuliffe benefited throughout his race from the energetic support of Hillary and Bill Clinton.

In New Jersey, Christie’s towering victory margin gives new force to his national brand as a center-right leader who has fought and won on Democratic turf. With nearly 98 percent of precincts reporting, the rambunctious former U.S. attorney was leading Democratic challenger Barbara Buono by nearly 23 percentage points, making him the first New Jersey Republican in nearly 30 years to win an electoral majority statewide — and then some.