New Jersey Republican makes it a race against favored Dem: 'Too close to call'

The campaigns ended their Election Night without either claiming victory

Edmund DeMarche | Fox News 

 

The race for governor in New Jersey remained too close to call early Wednesday as Gov. Phil Murphy’s Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli clings on to a slight lead.

The two waged tense campaigns and Murphy presented himself as a solid progressive. Ciattarelli tried to paint Murphy as out of touch with the average voter and was critical of his leadership during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The campaigns ended their Election Night parties without either claiming victory. Both struck optimistic tones with their supporters.

"We’ve sent a message to the entire nation. This is what I love about this state: Every single time it's gone too far off track, the people of this state have pushed, pulled and prodded it right back to where it needs to be," Ciattarelli said. Read more and see videos here.

Youngkin defeats McAuliffe in race for Virginia governor

Paul Steinhauser | Fox New

The Fox News Decision Desk can now project that Republican Glenn Youngkin will win the gubernatorial race in Virginia, defeating former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe in a statewide election with national implications that McAuliffe was once expected to win.

Youngkin ran a disciplined campaign, focusing on taxes, crime, and holding public schools accountable to parents, while McAuliffe spent much of his fire power the past couple of months linking Youngkin to former President Donald Trump.

McAuliffe also nationalized the race, campaigning with President Biden, Vice President Harris, former President Obama, and other top Democrats in an unsuccessful attempt to boost his fortunes.

“Alrighty Virginia, we won this thing,” Youngkin told supporters in his victory speech a little after 1 AM Wednesday. And he vowed that “together, we will change the trajectory of this commonwealth.” Read more and see videos here.