Referendum on policing - Child vaccination rollout - Facebook ends facial recognition

Republican Glenn Youngkin's lead reflected gains throughout the state compared to recent Virginia elections. Not only did Youngkin build further on blowout Republican margins in smaller, rural counties, he also cut into the edge Democrats built in Virginia's diverse and heavily populated suburbs. President Biden carried Virginia by 10 points [in 2020].
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That’s despite the state’s overall blue tint — but in line with decades of political history, in which the party that wins the White House in the preceding election almost always loses the next year’s gubernatorial race. Though it is an election to state office, the race is seen as a key bellwether halfway between Biden’s 2020 victory, and the crucial midterm elections next November.
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Democrats are also fighting to maintain control of the lower chamber of the state legislature. Also on the ballot Tuesday is New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, whose bid for reelection is considered safer than Democrats’ hold on the governor’s office in Virginia.