In New Jersey, Democrats have retaken the Governor’s mansion, but this is not a surprise.

Jersey is firmly blue, and outgoing Republican Governor Chris Christie is well past his sell by date, and the polls predicted a romp, so this is not a surprise.

Virginia has been a much closer affair, but the Democrats won, taking the Governor’s race, and the Lt. Governor and Attorney General races.

In the Governor’s race, Ralph Northam beat Ed Gillespie by 9% beating the polls by 6%.

Further down ticket, the Democrats have picked up at least 14 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates, with 4 as-yet-uncalled close races possibly flipping the chamber.

Particularly heartening is the fact that Virginia’s first transgender person to win an election, defeated a Republican who is arguably the most virulent anti-LGBT bigot in the state house:

Danica Roem, who will be Virginia’s first openly transgender elected official, defeated Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), a culture warrior who opposes LGBT rights. Elizabeth Guzman, who raised more money than any Democratic candidate except for Hurst, unseated Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge).

A good night.