Democrats win New Jersey, Virginia governor posts

Democrats retained New Jersey and Virginia in the elections held for the post of governor Tuesday.

In New Jersey, United States Senator Jon Corzine trounced his Republican rival Dough Forrester, also a millionaire like him.

In Virginia, the only other state besides New Jersey to elect the state governor, Democratic Lt Gov Tim Kaine won soundly defeating Republican Jerry Kilgore. Incumbent Mark Warner, a Democrat could not contest due to term limits.

In New York, Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg won a landslide victory spending $74 million of his own money, in a heavily Democratic city against former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer.

With the victory of Senator Corzine as the governor, the Indian community is looking for a bigger role in the political process.

In a bitterly contested election, Corzine and Forrester are credited to have spent more than $70milion from their pocket for the campaign.

New Jersey State Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula won for a third time from District 17. He defeated another Indian Dr Salim Nathoo, a Republican with a wide margin.

Results from other local races, where Indians contested did not bring much cheer to the community.

Virginia is a GOP-leaning state, and voted twice for President George Bush. There were expectations that the Republicans could win in Virginia and New Jersey, where Forrester was a formidable candidate. A Republican victory could have been taken as a sign of approval for the Bush administration too. But the voters rejected the Republicans in both places giving thumping majority to the Democrats.

Corzine got 950,383 votes, 53.54%. Forrester got 767,132, or 43.22%.

In Virginia, Kaine had 970,874 votes, or 51.7%, to Kilgore's 869,163 votes, or 46.17%.

Both gubernatorial races were noted for the mean-spirited campaigns and dirty personal attacks. Forrester's ad quoted Corzines ex-wife saying as "Jon did let his family down, and he'll probably let New Jersey down, too."

In 2004, Richard Codey became acting governor when Governor Jim McGreevey, a Democrat, resigned over a homosexual affair. Codey did not contest as governor.

In Virginia, at least $42 million was spent in the contest between Kaine and Kilgore, the former state attorney general.

The elections are indicators as they were conducted a year before the election for the congress and the governorships of 36 states.

Supriya Christopher, an Indian American, who contested to the Virginia state assembly from the 84th District got about 45% votes against 55% of the Republican winner.

Jay Aiyer, who contested for city councilor-at large, Position-2 in Houston, Texas, was at the second place as per early results. The community had high hopes on the young Aiyer, who was the chief of staff of former Mayor Lee Brown.

M J Khan, a Pakistani American is leading in District F to the Houston City Council. He won from the seat last time also.

Corzine's victory in New Jersey could trigger a 'triple win' for the Indian community.

Congressman Frank Pallone, the founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and the best friend of the Indians is hoping to fill the US Senate seat being vacated by Corzine.

State Assemblyman Chivukula has already begun preparations for a Congressional campaign once Pallone vacates the Congressional seat.

"We have to stay prepared. When the time comes we should be ready," David Hoover, campaign manger of Chivukula said.

Once Corizine assumes the governor's office he has to resign as US Senator. As the state governor, he can nominate a person to the senate.

Pallone hopes that Corzine will nominate him. Pallone has started campaigning also vigorously.

Hoover said chances of Corzine nominating Pallone to the Senate are high as Pallone is a formidable candidate.

New Jersey is the only sate where the Indians are about 8% of the population. Both Republican and Democratic candidates tried to woo the community.