The Big Story

The race for Virginia governor

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Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe are squaring off in a battle to replace Gov. Robert McDonnell in Richmond.

Column

Elections embolden both GOP establishment and the tea party

(Bob Brown / AP)

Republicans have to hope that a clear winner — one side of the party — emerges from upcoming contests.

Article

McDonnell briefs McAuliffe on Va. governor’s job at Executive Mansion lunch

(Melina Mara / The Washington Post)

Governor-elect, new to elective office, visits Executive Mansion to take notes from his predecessor.

Article

In Richmond, Gov.-elect McAuliffe announces bipartisan transition team

(Melina Mara / The Washington Post)

The governor-elect also promises to sign an executive order in January with protections for gay state workers.

Article

Finger-pointing after Cuccinelli’s loss in race

The blame game exposed the fissures in a party divided by conservatives and moderates.

Article

Close result in Va. governor’s race hardens GOP divisions

(Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post)

Some Republicans said privately they had hoped for a clear loss to purge the party of its tea party flank.

Column

Terry McAuliffe has mastered the style of a Va. governor, but he has to deliver on substance

(Steve Helber / AP)

COLUMN | Va. governor-elect has mastered style expected of chief executive, but he has much to prove on substance.

Article

Meet the wonks — and afternoon talk-show hosts — who helped McAuliffe win Virginia

(Cliff Owen / AP)

How did McAuliffe win? At least in part because of sophisticated data collection and use.

Article

McAuliffe wins Virginia governor’s race

(Drew Angerer / Getty Images)

Ralph Northam is elected lieutenant governor, while Mark Obenshain narrowly leads for attorney general.

Article

GOP poised to keep advantage in Va. House

(Ryan Stone / For the Washington Post)

Democrats look to several close races to gain leverage on vetoes and in committee assignments.

Column

Virginia, New Jersey results highlight Republican Party’s divisions, problems

(EDUARDO MUNOZ / REUTERS)

The governors races pitted the tea party against the GOP establishment, and the party’s stark divisions about the path forward are likely to linger.