Virginia Senate race: First reactions to Democrat Tim Kaine's victory
The former DNC chairman beats back the GOP candidate most famous for coining the unfortunate term "macaca"

Democrat Tim Kaine has defeated Republican challenger George Allen in the closely-watched Virginia Senate race. Allen has reportedly already conceded.
Kaine, who is both a former Virginia governor and a former head of the Democratic National Committee, ran on a record of bipartisan accomplishments and a commitment to protecting Medicare and Social Security. Meanwhile, this is the second consecutive senatorial defeat for George Allen, who had been widely projected to wallop Democrat Jim Webb in 2006 — until his campaign was derailed by controversy over his use of the word "macaca" to describe an Indian-American staffer on the Webb campaign. Webb is retiring after a single term, and this year's Virginia Senate race has been under particularly close scrutiny because many analysts believe Republicans needed a victory in Virginia to gain a majority in the Senate. It now looks like the GOP will fall well short of that goal
Here, early reactions to Kaine's victory:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Atlantic's Molly Ball says that even the press is surprised:
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley is pleased:
Slate's Dave Weigel thinks Allen should quit while he's behind:
Grantland's Bill Barnwell says Kaine's victory is also good news for stats guru Nate Silver:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published