Republican Chris Christie beats incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine in New Jersey; Republican Bob McDonnell trounces Democrat Creigh Deeds in Virginia. Democrats prevent a shut-out by winning an upstate New York congressional seat. 

Republicans swept to victory in the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races Tuesday, scoring a pair of decisive wins in states that voted for President Obama a year ago. 

The Democrats were able to prevent a shut-out, though, pulling out a narrow victory in a closely watched congressional election in upstate New York. Democrat Bill Owens beat Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in that race. 

The Republican victories nevertheless marked a potential turnaround after two consecutive cycles of midterm losses. In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie beat out Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine, even though Obama campaigned heavily for the incumbent in the closing days of the race and the state has not elected a Republican governor since 1993. 

In Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell beat Democrat Creigh Deeds by a huge margin, heading up a successful GOP ticket. McDonnell’s victory ends eight years of Democratic control of the governorship. 

The victories could spell trouble for Democrats’ legislative agenda in Washington and stand as harbingers of GOP gains in the 2010 midterm elections. Republicans claimed the races Tuesday served as a collective rebuke of Democrats’ policies on Capitol Hill and at the White House. 

Democrats, though, dismissed such readings. The races also turned heavily on local issues. 

In the Garden State, Corzine had suffered from low approval ratings, stemming in part from voter discontent over high property taxes. 

In his victory speech, Christie said the state was “in a crisis.” 

He added, “Tomorrow, together, we begin to take back New Jersey.” 

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Christie had 49 percent and Corzine had 45 percent. Independent candidate Chris Daggett trailed with 5 percent. 

The crowd chanted Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Yes we can,” as Christie took the stage. 

Corzine earlier called the race a “long, hard-fought campaign” in his concession speech and pledged to ensure a smooth transition. 

In Virginia, the Republican had been favored to win the race after leading by double digits in almost every pre-election poll. The race hinged in large part on economic concerns — McDonnell pitched himself to voters as the “jobs governor.” 

With all precincts reporting, McDonnell had 59 percent and Deeds had 41 percent. 

In his victory speech from Richmond, McDonnell pledged “actions and results” over the next four years, promising to pursue job creation while keeping taxing, spending and regulating to a minimum. 

“We will leave Virginia better than we found it,” he said. 

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling also won a second term Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jody Wagner. And Republican state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli was the winner of the race for state attorney general, beating Democratic state Del. Steve Shannon. 

Republican Party leaders were quick to claim the victories as a sign that Americans are rebelling against Democratic policies in Washington. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the victories marked a “clear rejection” of “tax and spend policies” in Washington. 

“The Republican Party’s overwhelming victory in Virginia is a blow to President Obama and the Democrat Party. It sends a clear signal that voters have had enough of the president’s liberal agenda,” he said in a statement. 

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