GOP won't share power in state Senate

AP Modified

Updated: Nov 9, 2011 7:41 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (AP/ WAVY) — Senior Virginia Republicans have made it clear they will not share power in the new Virginia Senate.

The GOP took one of two undecided seats in the state's Senate races, putting the Democratic Majority at 20 to 19, with one seat too close to call. In the undecided race, the republican candidate leads with 86 votes and the GOP is declaring victory. That would make it a tie.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said Wednesday he intends to cast the deciding vote in a Senate split evenly between Democrats and Republicans. That means Republicans would have an advantage on Senate committees, where the most conservative legislation has died for decades.

It appeared the Senate would be split after Tuesday's elections, with the Republican leading in the deciding race that was too close to call.

The last time an election resulted in a 20-20 split was 1996. Democrats intended to take control by having then-Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer cast the deciding vote in their favor. The parties were forced to share power when conservative Democrat Virgil Goode threatened to side with Republicans.
 

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