The 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election was held on November 5, 2013, to elect the Governor of Virginia. The incumbent Governor, Republican Bob McDonnell, was ineligible to run for re-election due to term limits. The race was between the Democratic nominee, Terry McAuliffe, and the Republican nominee, Ken Cuccinelli.
The Candidates
Terry McAuliffe was the Democratic nominee for Governor. He had previously served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and had also run for Governor in 2009 but lost in the primary. McAuliffe's campaign focused on job creation and economic development.
Ken Cuccinelli was the Republican nominee for Governor. He had previously served as the Attorney General of Virginia and was known for his conservative views on social issues. Cuccinelli's campaign focused on reducing government spending and cutting taxes.
The Issues
The 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election was primarily focused on economic issues. Both McAuliffe and Cuccinelli promised to create jobs and improve the economy. McAuliffe also campaigned on expanding Medicaid in Virginia, while Cuccinelli opposed the expansion.
The election also saw a debate over social issues. Cuccinelli was known for his conservative views on abortion and gay marriage, while McAuliffe supported abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
The Campaign
The 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election was one of the most expensive in Virginia history. McAuliffe raised $34 million for his campaign, while Cuccinelli raised $20 million. Both campaigns were criticized for their negative ads and attacks on each other.
The Results
Terry McAuliffe won the 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election, defeating Ken Cuccinelli by a margin of 2.5%. McAuliffe received 47.8% of the vote, while Cuccinelli received 45.3%. The Libertarian candidate, Robert Sarvis, received 6.5% of the vote.
Impact
The 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election was seen as a victory for Democrats and a setback for Republicans. The win gave Democrats control of all three branches of government in Virginia. McAuliffe's victory was also seen as a signal of changing demographics in Virginia, as he won the support of minority voters and young voters.
The election was also seen as a sign of the growing divide within the Republican Party between establishment Republicans and Tea Party Republicans. Cuccinelli was seen as a Tea Party candidate, and his loss was seen as a rebuke of the Tea Party's influence within the Republican Party.
Conclusion
The 2013 Virginia Gubernatorial Election was a closely watched race that had national implications. The election was primarily focused on economic issues, but also saw a debate over social issues. Terry McAuliffe's victory was seen as a victory for Democrats and a setback for Republicans. The election was also seen as a sign of the growing divide within the Republican Party between establishment Republicans and Tea Party Republicans.