(CNN) Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor's race Tuesday night, CNN projects , rolling back progressive gains in Virginia as he became the first Republican to win statewide office in the commonwealth since 2009. McAuliffe had hoped to win a second nonconsecutive term by trying to tie Youngkin to former President Donald Trump. Virginia Democrats clearly underestimated Youngkin, an agile candidate who burrowed into local issues like education and fashioned himself as a champion for parental rights. McAuliffe has not called Youngkin to concede, a campaign aide tells CNN, and said he is unlikely to do so tonight. About one-third of Virginia voters called the economy the most important issue facing the state, according to the exit poll.

Source: CNN November 03, 2021 03:21 UTC