By: Sean Muth 

Sentry Staff Reporter

Two weeks ago the state of Virginia held its breath as they waited for the results of the election for state governor. As the votes came in, Democrats began to cheer, while Republicans shook their heads, disappointed with the final count. Terry McAuliffe, the Democrat, had won the election by roughly 55,000 votes. The position of governor has now passed from the hands of the Republican party to the Democrats, causing surprised reactions across the state. Sophomore Class President, Johnny Dominguez, was kind enough to share his views on the recent election.

One of the most surprising aspects of this election, was that a Democrat was elected. The former governor, Bob McDonnell, who was a Republican, won 58.6% of the votes when he ran in 2009. This year’s Republican candidate, Ken Cuccinelli, won only 45.5%. Dominguez shared his thoughts that,

“Cuccinelli pissed everyone off, by going off, saying ban contraceptives, ban abortion. So I think he brought the Democrats to go out and vote this year, he really encouraged other people to vote against him.”

This election also had a third party candidate running for governor, Robert Sarvis, a Libertarian. Sarvis won 6.6% of the votes this year, an impressive amount for someone who did not participate in the debates between Cucinelli and McAuliffe. However, Libertarians were hoping he would win at least 10% of the votes, but this goal was not reached.

“I think that is impressive, for a third party,” Dominguez shared. “But 6.6% is 6.6%, that’s less than one in ten people. I don’t think that it is a huge statement, but it is a start.”

With McAuliffe now in office, many are wondering what his first move will be. Over the course of his campaign he said he would try to reform the Standards of Learning tests, or SOLs. McAuliffe also wants to pass the Dream Act, undocumented immigrant students to go to state universities and only pay in-state tuition.

“I think the first thing he is going to do is try and reform the SOLs,” said Dominguez, “and take a crack at that. Then I think he will also try to make an effort to pass the Dream Act in Virginia.”

While Bob McDonnell could have arguably given McAuliffe a run for his money in the election, Virginia law prevents the incumbent governor from serving two consecutive terms. This law still lets a governor run for a second term, but they cannot be served back to back.

“I feel like that’s kind of inconvenient,” says Dominguez. “You may not get much done,  because it is only four years. How much can you change statewide in four years? Then what if someone comes in, and screws all your progress up? Then you have to start over when your reelected.”

Whether Virginians like it or not, Terry McAuliffe will be governor for the next four years. While some will praise him during his time in office, others will most likely groan and complain, waiting for the next election to roll around. Until then, only time will tell what the reign of Terry McAuliffe will become.