Key races in Virginia Tuesday

RICHMOND, VA. — A look at Tuesday's elections in Virginia:

GOVERNOR: Republican Bob McDonnell easily won the Virginia governor's race just a year after the state went overwhelmingly for President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress. The former attorney general's defeat of Democratic state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds returns a Republican to the governor's office for the first time in eight years. A year ago, Obama became the first Democrat in 44 years to carry Virginia in a presidential race. This time voters expressed angst about major Obama initiatives such as health care, energy and stimulus spending. But McDonnell dominated the campaign's central issues: jobs and the economy.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling was elected to a second term, turning back Democrat Jody Wagner, a former finance secretary for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. Bolling is the first lieutenant governor to run for re-election and win since Democrat Don Beyer in 1993. A former state senator from Hanover County and an insurance executive, Bolling pledged to work closely with Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell on job creation.

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Republican Ken Cuccinelli, one of Virginia's most conservative legislators, was elected attorney general over Democratic Del. Steve Shannon of Fairfax. Cuccinelli, a state senator since 2002, has been an outspoken opponent of abortion, gun control, tax increases and same-sex unions. In his campaign, however, he mostly avoided social issues and emphasized his broad range of experience as a private attorney and his early call for a special legislative session to respond to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that jeopardized drunken driving and drug prosecutions.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES: Republicans gained at least three seats Tuesday to strengthen their grip on the House of Delegates. The GOP knocked off at least five Democratic House incumbents. Democrat Robin Abbott beat Republican Del. Phil Hamilton of Newport News and Democrat Luke Torian won an open seat in Prince William County formerly held by a Republican to put the GOP's net gain at three with a handful of close races undecided late Tuesday.