Democrat supporters in the U.S. state of Virginia are celebrating Terry McAuliffe's victory in the race for governor.<br/> <br />It's the first time in nine elections the party which controls the White House has taken the Virginia governor's office.<br/> <br />It was a closely watched poll.<br/> <br />The Democrats sought to turn it into a referendum on the Republicans' Tea Party wing which favoured McAuliffe's rival, the state Attorney General.<br/> <br />McAuliffe won by only a narrow margin<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) VIRGINIA GOVERNOR-ELECT TERRY MCAULIFFE SAYING:<br/> <br />"I know this has been a hard-fought race. Part of that, as you know, is the nature of politics and part of it was the Attorney General and I had some very big differences on some very important issues."<br/> <br />In New Jersey Republican Chris Christie easily held on to his seat.<br/> <br />The poll is viewed as a boost to his widely-expected bid for the White House in 2016.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(English) NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE SAYING:
