washington democrat ralph northam bitter race virginia governor tuesday deal setback president donald trump decisive victory republican adopt president combative tactics issue northam state lieutenant governor overcome barrage attack ads republican ed gillespie hit soft-spoken democrat divisive issue immigration gang crime confederate statues trump endorse gillespie campaign take break asia trip send tweet record message tuesday support former chairman republican national committee outcome trump quickly distance gillespie ed gillespie work hard embrace stand trump tweet economy record number continue win even big victory party northam tell supporters sweep democratic win virginia send message country virginia tell us end divisiveness condone hatred bigotry end politics tear country apart northam say virginia race highlight slate state local elections also include governor race new jersey democrat phil murphy former investment banker ambassador germany defeat republican kim guadagno right succeed republican chris christie murphy promise check trump democratic-leaning new jersey guadagno lieutenant governor hamper association unpopular christie murphy win northam victory virginia state democrat hillary clinton percentage point 2016 presidential election provide much-needed boost national democrats desperate turn grassroots resistance trump election victories democrats already lose four special congressional elections early year strong turnout democratic-leaning northern virginia suburbs washington help propel northam end relatively easily nearly precincts report lead 53 percent 45 percent margin exit poll virginia show one-third voters go poll oppose trump 17 percent go support democrats also sweep top statewide virginia race win offices lieutenant governor attorney general gain seat virginia house delegate democrat danica roem beat long-time republican incumbent become first transgender person win state legislative race comprehensive political victory statehouse courthouse thank donald trump democratic u.s. representative gerald connolly virginia tell northam supporters victory party northern virginia virginia democrats worry gillespie republicans would see green light emphasize divisive cultural issue campaign next year elections 435 seat u.s. house representatives 33 u.s. senate 100 seat come election republicans control chamber gillespie speak crestfallen supporters richmond virginia say run policy-focused campaign voters arlington county suburban democratic stronghold border washington say national politics important vote trump talk drain swamp gillespie kind swamp say nick peacemaker work market consider republican trump party presidential nomination peacemaker say gillespie seem shift close trump policies secure republican gubernatorial nomination local race across country democratic mayor bill de blasio new york marty walsh boston easily re-election voters also pick mayors detroit atlanta seattle charlotte north carolina democrats win bitter virginia governor 's race setback trump