WASHINGTON - The U.S. Democratic Party on Tuesday won both governorship races in the states of Virginia and New Jersey, dealing a heavy blow to the Republicans ahead of the midterm elections next year.
In Virginia, a traditional swing state that often sways general elections, army veteran and pediatrician Ralph Northam carried the race with a 9 percent lead over his opponent, Ed Gillespie, a Republican politician and lobbyist.
The Democrats further solidified its victory by also winning the seats of the state's lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The governor's race saw the Democrats successfully enlarging the advantage it has in the state since the presidential race last year, flipping at least two voting precincts blue.
"In Virginia it's going to take a doctor to heal our differences, to bring unity to our people, and I'm here to let you know that the doctor is in," Northam told cheering crowds Tuesday.
"I want to thank all those who voted today, on both sides," Gillespie said in a graceful acceptance speech dubbed by many commentators as "ugly."

Gillespie originally ran a moderate campaign, but after realizing that tepid words were failing to evoke voters' enthusiasm, he veered down the populist path, changing into tougher rhetoric on immigration and crimefighting. (Xinhua)