Video: Gillespie concedes in VA Senate race

[Valin]

Hot Air:

Ed Morrissey

November 7, 2014

 

 

And so one of the biggest surprise story lines of the midterm election comes to an end — at least for now. Before Tuesday, analysts thought Republicans had an outside shot at winning a narrow Senate majority, and Ed Gillespie had an outside shot of becoming starting QB for the Washington Redskins. Instead, incumbent Mark Warner came within less than 20,000 votes of losing what everyone thought would be a sure re-election bid, barely eking out the win against the former RNC chair. Gillespie decided to forgo a recount, even though the option was still open to him, and conceded the race this afternoon instead:

 

 

(Snip)

 

The classy exit after a narrow but confirmed loss will serve Gillespie well in the future. A week or two ago, few would have expected Gillespie to have a future in Virginia politics. The big question was whether he could avoid a double-digit humiliation. Mark Warner was expected to crush Gillespie, but instead the Republican nearly shocked Virginia as much as Larry Hogan shocked next-door Maryland in the gubernatorial race. Gillespie’s surprising finish and his clearly positive standing in Virginia will make him the obvious choice to challenge for the gubernatorial race in 2017. Terry McAuliffe is term-limited anyway, but after four years of his leadership Virginians will certainly be ready for a change of pace.

 

(Snip)