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Republican Bill Cleaveland's victory over Democrat Gwen Mason for the House seat being vacated by the retiring Del. William Fralin, R-Roanoke, may not have been much of a surprise. After all, that's a Republican-leaning district and this was sure a Republican-leaning year.

But here's something not many expected: Cleaveland beat Mason not just in the surburbs, but also in Roanoke city. Not all the city precincts are in yet, but right now Cleaveland -- who lives in Botetourt -- is taking 52 percent of the vote in the city against a sitting city council member.

Granted, a lot of the city precincts are Republican ones in South Roanoke. Still, Cleaveland also won in Jefferson-Riverdale, which is usually counted in the Democratic camp, and in Garden City and Williamson Road No. 6, as well. Mason took Jefferson No. 2, and then is splitting the Raleigh Court precincts.

Is this a result of this being a strong Republican year? Or does this suggest some unhappiness in the city with the direction of City Council?

-- Dwayne Yancey, senior editor

In the photo: Del.-elect Bill Cleaveland (left) with House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem. Photo by Kyle Green, The Roanoke Times

OTHER ELECTION ANALYSIS:
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* 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

We have complete results here.