McAuliffe loses in Virginia primary

Terry McAuliffe's gubernatorial dream is dashed as he loses to Creigh Deeds in the Democratic primary. McAuliffe's campaign was well funded and endorsed by party heavyweights such as former President Bill Clinton, and this defeat may signal the diminishing influence of the Clintons in the Democrat Party.

Deeds' victory means a rematch against Bob McDonnell (R). They both ran for state attorney general four years ago with McDonnell winning by a margin of only 323 votes.

This is one of the major 2010 races to keep an eye on.