ELECTION UPDATE | Attack ads, racial overtones part of Virginia governor race

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia voters turned out in rainy weather Tuesday to pick a new governor after months of divisive campaigning led to an ugly slugfest overshadowed by racial overtones and attack ads.

New Jersey, a reliably Democratic state, was the only other state holding a gubernatorial election. The contests were seen as an early referendum on President Donald Trump’s first year in office.

Both parties are seeking momentum ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

In Virginia — the only Southern state Trump lost last year — Republican Ed Gillespie is in a tight race with Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam.

While local politics and issues weighed heavy on voters’ minds, some also were driven by lingering resentment from Hillary Clinton’s loss or still excited by Trump’s win.

Vickie Williams, a stay-at-home mom, voted for Gillespie “because I’m a Republican. I voted for Donald Trump. I like the policies, that’s the only reason,” she said. “I want to feel like America is safe. I want to feel like we have more control, less government. I feel like the other way is big government.”

In New Jersey, Democrat Phil Murphy faced Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who was at the side of Gov. Chris Christie for the past eight years.

“If I could get rid of Trump I would be even happier. I’ve never seen our state so miserable and I’ve never seen our country so miserable,” said John Holpp, 88, who said he voted for Murphy because he’s “hoping to get rid of” Christie, who is term-limited.

Guadagno, who wants to lower property taxes and end so-called sanctuary cities, has tried to distance herself from Trump and Christie, but it’s been challenging since she served as his top deputy.

In rural Virginia, Edward McKellar, 36, said the improving economy drove him to vote a straight Republican ticket.

“I like the direction our country is going right now,” said McKellar, an operations manager for an industrial company. “The economy is good. It’s as strong as it’s ever been. The work is out there.”