Youngkin Tops McAuliffe to Become Virginia's Next Governor Following Dramatic Odds Shift

Just last week, Former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe was the -300 favorite to be elected as Virginia's next governor.  But in only a matter of ten days, the odds shifted to have both candidates listed at -120 by late Monday night.

By the early morning hours Wednesday, Youngkin claimed a narrow victory to become the commonwealth's next governor.

At 12:37 a.m. Wednesday the Associated Press declared Youngkin, a former private equity executive making his first run for office, the victor over former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who ran as a business-friendly moderate Democrat who would defend liberal social policies and bring economic growth to the state.

Youngkin led 51% to 48%, edging the Democrat by claiming back a slice of the suburban vote that had recently swung for Democrats, while boosting turnout in the state’s rural west.

"Virginia, we won this thing!" Youngkin told his supporters shortly after 1 a.m. at a Chantilly Marriott.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, some gamblers stand to make some serious coin should Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli pull off the upset victory.  Ciattarelli would pay out $900 for every $100 bet with a win.

This one was a dead heat Tuesday morning with incumbent Governor Phil Murphy leading by just a handful of votes and around 15 percent outstanding.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com