Creigh Deeds trounces Terry McAuliffe in Virginia's gubernatorial primary

Creigh Deeds defeated Terry McAuliffe in today's Democratic primary and will become the party's candidate for governor of Virgina.

With about 75% of the vote counted, Deeds has a large enough lead to make him the victor, the Associated Press reports.

He will face Republican Bob McDonnell, who was unopposed in his party’s primary, in the November gubernatorial election.

Deeds’ win over McAuliffe and a third candidate, former state legislative leader Brian Moran, is a bit of an upset.

As the Ticket reported, Deeds' campaign was not nearly as well-funded as Moran’s or McAuliffe's. Nor did it have the star power. McAuliffe, the former head of the Democratic National Committee, had his former confidant Bill Clinton stumping hard on his behalf in Virginia this spring.

Our colleague Fay Fiore profiled McAuliffe this month.

Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia and current head of the Democratic National Committee, congratulated Deeds.

“Today, we were fortunate to have had three excellent candidates who waged hard-fought campaigns,” Kaine wrote in a statement. But, he said, “Tonight is Creigh Deeds’ night."

-- Kate Linthicum

Photo: Steve Helber / Associated Press (left to right, Deeds, McAuliffe, Moran).

Register for Twitter alerts to each new Ticket item by clicking here. Or follow us @latimestot.

Comments

[Chris Richardson]

Looks like VA gun owners had quite an effect in this election. :)

Not to worry. Bob McDonnell is super high quality and had a minimum 10 point lead over all of the three anyways.