Republicans projected to win gubernatorial elections in Virginia, New Jersey

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Republican candidates Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie were projected on Tuesday to win gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey respectively.

A voting guide is posted outside a polling station in New York Nov. 3, 2009. Citizens of New York City went to polls on Tuesday for the general election of the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is seeking for his third term. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

In a blow to President Barack Obama, Chris Christie defeated Gov. Jon Corzine in a tight race in the traditionally Democratic state of New Jersey by gaining independents' votes.

In Virginia, Bob McDonnell garnered a victory over R. Creigh Deeds.

With only part of ballots calculated, Bob McDonnell, 55, has shown a landslide victory over his Democratic rival, Creigh Deeds. If he wins, he would become the first Republican to take the Virginian governor's office in 12 years.

Republicans are also likely to grab the positions of the lieutenant governor and the attorney general in the state, according to earlier polls.

The result was considered a blow to the Democrats and President Obama, who easily won Virginia that was used to be dominated by Republicans in the 2008 presidential elections, the first time in 44 years.

McDonnell's projected victory is "a blow to President Obama and the Democratic party," sending "a clear signal that voters have had enough of the president's liberal agenda," said Michael Steele, the chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Although there is still one year to go before the midterm elections when hundreds of local government officials and lawmakers will be elected, Republicans and some political analysts viewed the 2009 local elections as the first referendum on the president and Democratic Congress.