US - election tests
Republicans make a comeback
Article published on the 2009-11-04 Latest update 2009-11-04 11:23 TU
New Jersey Governor-elect Chris Christie.
(Photo: Reuters)
Key governorships in Virginia and New Jersey were won by the Republicans in election tests, marking a comeback for the party and reversing the trend of Democrat supremacy since 2005.
"This is not just about Virginia but about the leadership in the White House and in Congress. It is about a health bill that no one wants," said Michael Steele, the Republican national chairman.
Democrat officials claimed the elections were not a referendum on Obama’s presidency. But they found it hard to play down the defeats in New Jersey, a state thought to be staunchly Democrat, and Virginia, where Obama won a resounding victory in his electoral campaign a year ago.
Bob McConnell pushed out Democrat governor Creigh Deeds in Virginia and Chris Christie won over incumbent Jon Corzine in New Jersey. Corzine may have suffered due to voters showing their dislike of his past as a Wall Street executive.
In a further blow to the liberal cause and gay rights advocates, voters in Maine rejected a law allowing same-sex couples to marry.
Maine follows California and Hawaii as states where voters have repealed moves by local government allowing same-sex couples the right to marry.
Voters have not yet directly approved gay marriage in any American state.
