Va. elections: Democrats hold off GOP challengers in key races

[Derechos]

Virginia Democrats appear to have held off Republican challengers in key Senate races as the party attempts to maintain its hold on the Commonwealth’s upper house.

With 68 of 69 precincts reporting, longtime Spotsylvania incumbent Sen. R. Edward Houck (D) held a 124-vote lead on Republican challenger Bryce E. Reeves. Another veteran Democrat in a tight race, Charles J. Colgan Sr. of Manassas, was comfortably ahead of challenger Tom T. Gordy (R) with about 70 percent of the vote counted.

In high-profile suburban Senate races, incumbent Linda “Toddy” Puller (D) held a significant lead over former delegate and state Republican chairman Jeffrey M. Frederick, while former Del. Dick Black (R) held a significant lead in early returns over J. Shawn Mitchell (D) in a new district spanning Loudoun and Prince William counties.

Republicans need a net gain of three seats to seize outright control of the Senate; a two-seat gain would leave the GOP with a working majority on the Senate floor, with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling able to break tie votes but unable to dominate committees.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-elections-few-voters-turn-out-amid-confusion-over-redistricting/2011/11/08/gIQAfxHV1M_story.html