A shattered Joe Biden arrived back at the White House in the early hours of Wednesday morning following his COP26 climate change trip to Europe to find a party in disarray and a thundering win for the Republicans in Virginia.
Glenn Youngkin pulled off a stunning upset to beat Democrat Terry McAuliffe, with a 2.1 lead for the Republican with 99 percent of the vote counted. Youngkin, 54, is the state's first red Governor since 2009.
Another shocker could be on the cards in New Jersey where GOP candidate Jack Ciattarelli has taken a narrow lead over Democrat Governor Phil Murphy with 88 percent of votes counted. Both candidates held off declaring victory overnight as they wait for 'every vote' to be tallied.
The ballots are widely viewed as a referendum on Biden's presidency, and defeat will jangle Democrat nerves.
Biden won by 10 points in Virginia and by 16 points in New Jersey in the presidential election just a year ago.
The President looked tired and worn down as he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, in a dark grey overcoat, before he was seen walking up the White House lawn.
It was a different atmosphere over in the Youngkin camp where raucous celebrations took place as the former investment banker was joined on stage by his wife Suzanne and their children.
'Alrighty Virginia we won this thing,' Youngkin shouted to the crowd.
'Our kids can't wait,' Youngkin said. 'On day one we're going to work ... We work in real people time, not government time.'
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