Two Down, One to Go: Chris Christie Wins N.J. Governor Race - UPDATE: Not Optimistic in NY-23, Off to Bed...But Awesome Day for Conservatives

From The Hill, "Chris Chistie Wins New Jersey; GOP Sweeps Governors' Races":

Two Republicans will take over for Democratic governors after the GOP swept to victory on Tuesday, giving the beleagured party hope a year after devastating defeats.

Former Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) is the governor-elect of the Commonwealth after winning a race focused on local issues, rather than national dynamics.

McDonnell defeated state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), according to early election results.

And former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R) lead Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in early election results, with independent candidate Chris Daggett becoming a veritable non-factor.

Republicans have cast the races for governor as a referendum on President Barack Obama's early tenure, arguing that the races are the first in a series of comebacks for the party. Others have said it shows voters are willing to give the GOP a second look, just a year removed from devastating electoral losses.

But exit polls showed just 42 percent of voters considered Obama in Virginia. Just under a quarter used their vote to express opposition to the president, while 18 percent said their vote was to support Obama. In Virginia, 20 percent of voters made their picks to oppose Obama, while 19 percent were trying to support him.

Obama campaigned several times for both Deeds and Corzine. He made a stop at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., last week, then held two rallies on Corzine's behalf over the weekend.

Plus, the New York Times, "Christie Wins for G.O.P. in New Jersey."

Now, NY-23 is apparently lookiing iffy. See, Robert Stacy McCain is liveblogging, but check this page at The Saratogian.