RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Republicans, who appear to have eked out a partisan 20-20 split in the 40-seat Senate in Tuesday’s election, said on Wednesday they will not share power with Democrats, who have held a two-seat majority the past four years.
Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who presides over the Senate and holds the deciding vote in the case of a tie, said he will vote to allow the GOP to organize as the majority party.
“Make no mistake about it, there is a Republican majority in the state Senate,” Bolling said at a celebratory GOP news conference alongside Gov. Bob McDonnell, House Speaker William J. Howell and Sen. Ryan McDougle of Hanover.
That’s contingent, however, on Republican newcomer Bryce Reeves’ narrow lead over 7-term Democratic Sen. R. Edward Houck surviving Wednesday’s vote canvass in six localities that are part of the 17th Senate District, then a possible recount.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-gop-wont-share-power-in-split-senate-lt-gov-bolling-to-cast-deciding-vote-for-control/2011/11/09/gIQAWO6z5M_story.html