US voters have been to the polls in the first major round of elections since President Barack Obama was returned to the White House last year.<br /><br />In New York a Democrat was elected as mayor for the first time since 1989. Bill de Blasio cruised to victory in one of the most liberal platforms in years which included a tax hike on the wealthy.<br /><br />In New Jersey the man tipped to be a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2016, Chris Christie was easily re-elected as Governor. <br /><br />Already a popular figure after his handling of the crisis following Super Storm Sandy, Christie sought a broad political appeal, distancing himself from the extremes of the conservative Tea Party movement.<br /><br />And in Virginia, Democrat and close ally of the Clintons, Terry McAuliffe won by the narrowest of margins against his Republican rival confirming Virginia as a bellwether swing state.<br /><br />Analysts say Tuesday’s results could prove an early measure of the parties’ support ahead of next year’s midterm Congressional elections.
