Another state election is behind Alexandria and Virginia, complete with another shift of power at the Commonwealths top-tiered elected offices and the maintenance of power at the offices representing the city in the lower house of the General Assembly, according to unofficial results from the Virginia State Board of Elections.

However, this time around, the Republican Party gained at least four seats in the House of Delegates, emboldening its grasp on that chamber, while adding the three highest offices up for grabs Tuesday.

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli Jr. comprise the Republican takeover at the top, despite the big three losing the battle to their Democrat opponents at every Alexandria precinct an expected reinforcement of the citys traditionally blue character and one that counters the vast majority of the state.

In fact, Democratic candidates won every precinct in every race throughout Alexandria, keeping delegates David Englin, Charniele Herring and Adam Ebbin (uncontested) in the House of Delegates for another term as representatives of the states 45th, 46th and 49th districts, respectively. 

Local Republican delegate challengers Vicki Vasques, running in the 45th District, and Sasha Gong in the 46th District, made statements for their party in the Dem-dominated city, albeit token ones.
Vasques made record inroads, receiving nearly 40 percent of the votes in a city that has not seen a Republican in the House since the 21st District encompassed Alexandria in 1981. Gong received about 37 percent of the votes in her district, which is a tougher district for Republicans to win, according to at least one local GOP specialist.

The 46th [District] is probably a tougher district in terms of getting Republican votes because its much more concentrated in western Alexandria with just one precinct in Fairfax, said Chris Marston, chair of the Alexandria Republican City Committee. Its more transient with lots of high rises, so its always a challenge for us.

About 35,000 or 42 percent of the citys 80,045 active registered voters showed up to Alexandrias polls, according to the unofficial returns.

Alexandria Registrar of Voters Tom Parkins said he anticipated 35,000 voters and it was actually pretty easy, because Alexandria was right at 35,000 in 2005 and 2001. So if you want my prediction for the next gubernatorial election in 2013, Ill say 35,000.

Parkins and the Alexandria Office of Voter Registration and Elections will sign off on their figures after accounting for provisional ballots Friday and send them to Richmond where the results will eventually become official and be within a handful of votes of what the unofficial results are.