Youngkin Wins Virginia Governor’s Race, Defeating McAuliffe: ‘We Won This Thing’

"Alrighty Virginia, we won this thing!" Glenn Youngkin shouted early Wednesday while addressing his supporters.

Youngkin (R) won the Virginia governor's race, defeating Terry McAuliffe, a former governor of Virginia, as The Associated Press (AP) projected .

In a victory speech around 1 a.m., Youngkin said in Chantilly, Virginia, "Let’s climb that hill together. Let’s reinvigorate our future, let’s reinvigorate this amazing commonwealth of Virginia. Together, together, together, together we can build a new day, a new day for Virginians where yes, we soar and we never settle."

https://twitter.com/AP_Politics/status/1455756348302442499

His victory is the first time a Republican won statewide office in Virginia since 2009 .

The elections results "ultimately pointed to a potentially painful year ahead for Democrats as they try to maintain thin majorities in Congress. The mood among Republicans was celebratory," as AP reported .

McAuliffe failed at his attempt to tie Youngkin to former President Donald Trump , as CNN notes .

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1455786848597516290

Youngkin received congratulations from several lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

Additionally, former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter, "Congratulations to Governor [Glenn Youngkin] on a HUGE victory! Glenn will serve the people of Old Dominion well with common sense Conservative policies that will benefit parents, families, and hard-working Virginians! The Conservative Comeback is HERE!"

https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1455700883166138370

https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1455764283535601665

https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1455758420045348864

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1455706066348646400

https://twitter.com/TomCottonAR/status/1455707870037741568

https://twitter.com/DanCrenshawTX/status/1455715869535899648

Trump also claimed in a statement that without "my base" Youngkin would not have won, "I would like to thank my BASE for coming out in force and voting for Glenn Youngkin. Without you, he would not have been close to winning. The MAGA movement is bigger and stronger than ever before."

https://twitter.com/realLizUSA/status/1455703739721990144

Youngkin's win was called "stunning" as Tuesday was labeled "grim" for Democrats by The Hill . As the outlet writes, "One thing’s for sure: Republicans are as of today on course to take back control of Congress in next year’s midterms."

In New Jersey, the governor's race was too close to call, as of early Wednesday morning, according to AP . Republican Jack Ciattarelli and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) were "separated by about 1,200 votes out of more than 2.3 million cast."

UPDATE [11/3/21, 10:05 a.m. EST]:

McAuliffe conceded to Youngkin on Wednesday. He wrote in a statement, "Congratulations to Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin on his victory. I hope Virginians will join me in wishing the best to him and his family."