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Republican George Allen has conceded the Virginia Senate race to Tim Kaine.
"Tonight after a very hard fought contest, we’re reminded how closely divided we are here in Virginia politically. And I’m glad though that I got off the sidelines."
Allen said he has already called Kaine.
"It’s been a long and difficult campaign, it’s also been a joyful one," Allen said.
Kaine will take over the seat currently held by Senator Jim Webb, who did not run for re-election.
Kaine and Allen are both former Virginia governors. Allen served in the U.S. Senate from 2001 to 2007, before losing the seat in 2006 to Jim Webb. The campaign was derailed after Allen's use of the slur "macaca"
"Now Tim Kaine will have the opportunity to serve in the U.S. Senate," Allen said.
Kaine is a former Democratic National Committee chairman.
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CBS News has projected that Democrat Tim Kaine has won Virginia's U.S. Senate seat over Republican George Allen.
Both Kaine and Allen are former Virginia governors.
If CBS News' projection holds true, Kaine will take over the seat currently held by Senator Jim Webb, who did not run for re-election.
To see our election results, click here.
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TIM KAINE CAMPAIGN
Story by WDBJ7 reporter Orlando Salinas
With just a few hours before the polls close down in Virginia, one of the most competitive Senate races is right here in the Commonwealth.
WDBJ7 reporter Orlando Salinas has been following Democrat Tim Kaine in Richmond as Kaine tries to become Virginia's next U.S. Senator.
WDBJ7 caught up with Kaine as he showed up at Linwood Elementary School in Richmond. Named after his Republican father-in-law, former Governor Linwood Holton.
Kaine began his political career as a City Mayor, then governor, followed by chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
Kaine was out shaking hands with folks who walked right up to him and wanted to meet the guy.
According to reports and the State Board of Elections, Virginia's new voter ID law has not been an issue.
The race between Kaine and Republican George Allen has been tight, as both men are former Virginia Governors.
Both say they can work with anyone, regardless of party affiliation.
Sounds like the right thing to say.
We asked Mr. Kaine why voters should believe that his success in Virginia would translate to Washington, if he's elected.
"You have to show a willingness to compromise if you want others to compromise,” Kaine said. “I mean if you look at the history of Congress, it's not a one way path to dysfunction. There are times of function and times of dysfunction and it’s up and down. And what that means is we just have to put more people in now that know how to have a track record of building bridges."
The polls in Virginia opened at 6am, and they will stay open until 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you are still allowed to vote.
GEORGE ALLEN CAMPAIGN
Story by WDBJ7 Senior Reporter Joe Dashiell
Republican U.S. Senate candidate George Allen spent the day campaigning, but not before spending time waiting in line to vote.
WDBJ7’s Joe Dashiell spoke with George Allen just a short time ago.
Allen arrived to vote at his home precinct in Mount Vernon around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday morning. And like many Virginians he had to wait in line for about an hour.
He and his wife Susan were able to vote, and then they went their separate ways to work polls in Northern Virginia, and down the I-95 corridor to Richmond.
We spoke with Allen just a short time ago as he shook hands with voters in Henrico County. He told us he has been buoyed by what he's seen.
“The turnout is great. I think that Virginians recognize how momentous this election is. And people are voting as if America's future depends on their decisions here in Virginia, and indeed they're right,” Allen said.
Allen attributes strong turnout in southwest Virginia to voters concerned about the future of coal, and turnout in Hampton Roads for voters worried about the possibility of major cuts in military spending.
Allen said he's encouraged by what he's seen today, and hopeful he'll be celebrating victory here tonight.