Cantor, Allen cruise to primary victories - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Despite the incredibly low turnout, this primary was significant for two reasons. Two of Virginia's most prominent politicians were facing the approval of their parties. It was a night with everything to lose and almost nothing to gain.

It was a party that might best be described as a warm up act, Eric Cantor and George Allen, claiming victory in primary elections that they had to have.

"Thank you, thank you," said Cantor to cheers. "Your work paid off!"

For Cantor the night ended early. He easily fought of a challenge from Tea Party candidate, Floyd Bayne in a race that was called less than 20 minutes after the polls closed.  Cantor captured nearly 80 percent of the vote.

He called the convincing win an indicator of what November will bring. Not just his race, but the race for Senate and President.

"I feel that is going to come down to us in the 7^th," Cantor said.  "We have to get out the word in the stakes of this election."

Those stakes couldn't be higher for Allen, who had a much taller order. He fought off three vigorous challengers in convincing fashion.

"America is open for business again," Allen said in a fiery victory speech.

Allen cleared 65 percent of the vote. It was a victory that Democrats largely ignored.

His only opponent now is Tim Kaine, who accused Allen of a reckless fiscal record during his last stint in Washington. In a statement, Kaine said, "Virginians can't afford six more years."

Allen, meanwhile, set his sights not on Kaine, but on the man he will spend the next 150 days linking Kaine directly to — President Obama.

"The private sector is NOT doing fine!" Allen said in reference to a comment the president made during a recent press conference.  "Not with national unemployment over eight percent for 40 straight months."

Now it is on to November, where two major political players are heading in two different paths. Where they end up could play a major role in the future of the country.

Allen will now face Governor Tim Kaine in a head to head match-up. Cantor is facing a Democratic challenge from Richmond attorney Wayne Powell.

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