Tim Kaine | Build on successes

Virginia has come a long way in the past eight years. Last night’s results may have been a disappointment but we can continue to expand upon the successes of Democratic leaders in Virginia.

As we begin to rebuild we start with a remarkable advantage that we did not have eight years ago. Virginians have elected two successive Democratic Governors, two Democratic U.S. senators, a majority in the Virginia Senate, won a majority of our U.S. House of Representatives delegation and turned Virginia blue for President Barack Obama. Elected officials who share a vision of pragmatic, commonsense solutions will always be in demand across the Commonwealth.

I will begin with congratulations to Bob McDonnell, Virginia’s next governor. I share the hopes of many Virginians that Gov.-elect McDonnell will govern in the same model as he campaigned: in a bipartisan manner to benefit all citizens and with an eye towards results.

I also want to congratulate our fantastic Democratic candidates. Our three statewide candidates: Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon have run hard-fought campaigns. Their goals and vision were shared by Virginians across the Commonwealth and I know that we have not seen the last of their public service.

For our House of Delegate candidates, congratulations are also in order. We are proud to welcome several new Democratic members to the House. We look forward to their years of service in the General Assembly.

But especially, thank you to all of the supporters and volunteers who have dedicated their time and resources to this campaign. Thank you to everybody who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and helped us to get out the vote. Virginia was built on the dedication of citizens like yourselves.

Looking back on the progress we have made in the past eight years, I feel proud to not only call myself a Virginian, but a Virginia Democrat as well. Thank you.

Tim Kaine is the governor of Virginia and the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.