In addition to being a seminal county in the presidential election, Prince William County helped to elect Senator-elect Timothy M. Kaine on Tuesday.
In the race for Senate, Tim Kaine won similar margins as President Barack Obama, earning 57.02 percent of the electorate’s vote in Prince William County, whereas President Barack Obama earned 56.61 percent of the vote.
Overall in the state, Kaine earned 52.28 percent of the electorate vote, whereas former Senator George Allen earned 47.54 percent.
Like the presidential/vice presidential election, the senate election proved close in Virginia, especially since it was fought between two formidable candidates, Republican George F. Allen and Democrat Timothy M. Kaine. Both popular statesmen were after the seat occupied by retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D).
Kaine’s wins across the county mirrored those of Obama’s, a signal that most people voted along party lines. Kaine's wins were strong in diverse precincts on the eastern side of the county. He also gained some moderate wins in some newer suburban precincts, such as HOA communities in Bristow, though most favored George Allen by a slight margin.
Allen dominated in rural and affluent areas of the county, but not enough to override strongly Democratic precincts.
Kaine was running on a platform of job creation and economic growth; fiscal responsibility; environment protection; Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security; the protection of the Affordable Care Act; reforming immigration; and balancing military and economic strength while supporting veterans.
He also said he supports women’s reproductive and health care rights, fair pay for women (Lilly Ledbetter Act) and would seek to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Tim Kaine is best known for being governor of Virginia from 2006-2010. During that time, Virginia maintained a Triple A bond rating. Before that Kaine served as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 2002-2006.
Kaine also practiced law for 18 years, representing people who experienced discrimination, and he taught at the University of Richmond.
However, George Allen is equally as popular among Republican voters. The son of an NFL football coach, George Allen, Sr., Allen describes himself as a “Common Sense Jeffersonian Conservative.” He was Virginia’s 67th Governor from 1994-1998, and served as a U.S. Senator from Virginia between 2001-2007.
In a rally in Bristow on Saturday, Kaine said he decided to run for Senate to help President Obama out in congress. Kaine’s win helps to insure that the U.S. Senate remains Democratic. He addressed female voters in particular on Saturday in Virginia, saying he supports Lilly Ledbetter and that he trusts them to make their own healthcare decision. Crowds clapped and cheered in approval of those statements.
Virginia Musician spoke in favor of Kaine at the Bristow event, calling him a “Bad ass,” and Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama also spoke on Kaine’s behalf.
Kaine’s win is significant for the nation, as it helped the Democrats keep control of Senate. A Democratically controlled Senate, coupled with President Obama’s re-election and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act could solidify “Obama Care” as the nation’s health care policy.
According to a Washington Post article, Kaine's campaign made the decision early on not to shy away from being Obama's guy, even though the Allen campaign tried to portray that in a negative light. It proved a good decision, seeing how Obama ultimately carried the state.
For Virginia it is evidence of the changing demographics, which now favor liberal or progressive Democrats.
According to the Washington Post, Allen conceded to Kaine last night, telling a crowd of Republicans gathered at Richmond’s Omni hotel, “We haven’t succeeded.”
A message on the Kaine campaign website said, “This is your victory. Your hard work, support, and faith made it happen. Thank you so much.”
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!