McDonnell claims win, Deeds concedes

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By Bob Lewis ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- While Republican Bob McDonnell claimed victory in the Virginia governor's race, Democrat Creigh Deeds has conceded after a lopsided loss.

"There's still people that need a voice, and we're going to give them that voice," McDonnell told supporters in a crowded Richmond hotel ballroom. "This chapter is closed, but the next chapter is to be written."

A few miles away, Deeds addressed a somber crowd, saying he had called McDonnell to congratulate him. He also says that just because Republicans swept Tuesday's elections, Democrats can't give up.

With more than four-fifths of precincts reporting, McDonnell had about 60 percent of the vote.

Deeds' defeat comes one year after Barack Obama led a Democratic sweep of the state, handing the Republicans their first loss in a presidential race in 40 years.