Robert McDonnell (R) has claimed a clear early lead over Creigh Deeds (D) in the race for Virginia governor, 47% to 40% among registered voters, according to a new Washington Post poll.
Among likely voters, McDonnell leads by an even greater margin, 54% to 39%.
"Widespread criticism of the direction of a state run for the past eight years by Democrats and an increasingly GOP-friendly electorate have propelled McDonnell, who runs competitively even in the Democratic strongholds of Northern Virginia."