No republican sweep in Virginia statehouse?

(CNN) - Things are getting interesting in Virginia - Tuesday's state government elections secured a Republican majority in the state House of Delegates but the prized Virginia Senate is proving more elusive for the GOP . . .

But statewide elections delivered a split state Senate, with 20 seats won by Democrats and 19 by Republicans. Eleven Republicans ran unopposed and won while only three Democrats did the same.

In what appears to be the deciding race, Republican Bryce Reeves edged out Democrat R. Edward "Edd" Houck by 86 votes - a contest that will most likely face a recount. A win by Reeves will tie the chamber up, but a win by Houck in the potential recount will keep it out of GOP hands. Houck has not conceded the race.

The president of the state Senate - a role served by the lieutenant governor - is responsible for casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie, the only time a lieutenant governor votes. Republican Bill Bolling was re-elected lieutenant governor in 2009.

. . . a recount in the critical race is possible and cannot begin until election results are certified later this month.


read: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/09/all-tied-up-in-virginia/