2009.11.03
Analysis: An historic number of House incumbents lose
Republicans are claiming a net pick-up of at least five House seats tonight.
But wait, that's not all.
In all, it looks like eight House incumbents have lost night -- seven Democrats and one Republican (Phil Hamilton in Newport News.)
Earlier this evening, we posted some analysis on how unusual it is for a House incumbent to lose.
Well, looks like we have some history being made tonight.
The Virginia Public Access Project says that since 1995, the most number of House incumbents to lose is four. Usually it's one or two. So we've doubled that number tonight.
Granted, 1995 isn't that long ago, in historical terms, but still, you get the idea. It's hard to knock off incumbents, and tonight, Republicans knocked off a lot.
I believe that's what's called "coattails."
Coming next: What Republicans should worry about
-- Dwayne Yancey, senior editor
OTHER ELECTION ANALYSIS:
* Analysis: The most expensive governor's race ever
* Analysis: Where we'll be looking tonight
* Analysis: How many House seats will change hands tonight?
* Analysis: The biggest winning margin since . . .
* Analysis: The polls close; here's what's coming . . .
* Analysis: The saddest sight I've seen in politics
* Analysis: The first precinct reports in
* Analysis: An early return from Henrico County
* Analysis: A closer look at McDonnell's lead
* Analysis: McDonnell winning places that Democrats did four years ago
* Analysis: Henry County flips to McDonnell
* Analysis: Deeds running weaker in Northern Virginia
* Analysis: How Deeds did it -- a counter-factual look at McDonnell's victory
* Analysis: Three reasons why Obama hurt Deeds
* Analysis: Three reasons why Obama didn't matter
* Analysis: Are sweeps common or rare in Virginia?
* Analysis: Republicans take back the suburbs
* Analysis: Are primary winners destined to be November losers?
* Analysis: McDonnell may win biggest Republican victory ever
* Analysis: Should the Democrats blame their defeat on . . . Terry McAuliffe?
* Analysis: Did the Republicans win this race four years ago?
* Analysis: Should the Democrats blame . . . Phil Puckett?
* Analysis: Why didn't the thesis sink McDonnell?
* Analysis: Is winning re-election a bad career move?
* Analysis: Let the 2013 governor's race begin!
* Analysis: Kiss rural candidates goodbye
* Analysis: Sizing up Bill Cleaveland's win for the House of Delegates
* Analysis: Is Boucher in trouble next year?
* Analysis: McDonnell now leads in Fairfax County, and why this is important
We have complete results here.
