National media outlets and the Associated Press Saturday morning have called the race for President of the United States for Joe Biden – with a projected win in Pennsylvania, moving Biden’s number of electoral votes pass 270.
Sen. Kamala Harris is poised to become the first Black, South Asian woman to become vice president.
Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker issued a statement shortly after the call, saying, in part, “I’m thrilled to see Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take the White House.”
The race in Virginia was called for Biden early in the evening Tuesday.
The 77-year-old former vice president also carried Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan, flipping states that President Donald Trump won in 2016, according to the Associated Press.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris,” Biden said in an emailed statement. “In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America.”
Congratulations to President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. It's time to come together as a nation to address our challenges and move our country forward. I am looking forward to working with you!
— Governor Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) November 7, 2020
Trump is the first incumbent president to lose reelection since Republican George H.W. Bush in 1992.
The president’s legal team on Saturday had a news conference, saying they are set to file lawsuits as early as Monday.
And it appears a concession from the president at this point is not going to happen.
Trump, in a statement minutes after the call was made, said “the simple fact is this election is far from over.”
“Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor,” Trump said in the statement.
The president reiterated what his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani told reporters during a news conference Saturday.
“Beginning Monday, our campaign will start prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld and the rightful winner is seated,” Trump said.
Congratulations to my friends, @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris — our next President and Vice President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/febgqxUi1y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 7, 2020
“I will not rest until the American People have the honest vote count they deserve and that Democracy demands,” the president concluded his statement.
Unofficial returns from the Virginia Department of Elections Saturday showed Biden with 2,358.128 (53.88%) and Trump with 1,937,178 (44.26%) — 2,565 of 2,585 precincts reporting.
In the Historic Triangle, Trump won only in York County.
Here are the local unofficial election results as of Saturday:
With three out of three precincts reporting in Williamsburg, Biden garnered 4,790 (69.59%) to Trump’s 1,953 (28.52%).
James City County with 20 of 20 precincts reporting – Biden 23,374 (51.43%); Trump 23,059 (46.73%).
York County with 14 out of 14 precincts – Biden, 17,410 (45.40%); Trump, 20,087 (52.38%).
