Overall, though, the Virginia GOP continued a steady march to power that dates to the 1970s. Republicans have controlled the governorship since 1994, and the party went into yesterday's election with a 21 to 19 majority over the Democrats in the Senate. Many of the contests around the Beltway centered on long-standing suburban concerns about easing traffic congestion, improving schools, deterring crime and enduring differences between the parties. Democratic voters often said they were voting for particular candidates, rather than the party. I know Toddy.
More kids die in traffic accidents.
Gilmore tried to execute an artful dance in which he devoted much of his time to campaigning and fund-raising for a Republican legislative majority without turning the vote into a referendum on his two years in office. Allen also had been on the verge of winning a Republican majority at the middle point of his term in 1995. But his confrontational style with Democrats and his conservative social agenda were too much for the state's moderate suburban voters. The GOP found itself in an unusually good position for this election. In a strong economy that generally favors incumbents, the Republicans had slightly more of them seeking reelection than the Democrats.