Kaine to Hold Town Meetings on Transportation

"The negative ads backfired," he said. "If there's anything about this win that makes me feel the best, it's that Virginians rejected the harsh negatives that were often factual mistakes. They're smarter than high-paid consultants, and they know the difference between truth and fiction."

In the past, Kaine said, many Democrats have not courted voters in exurban counties such as Prince William and Loudoun. He attributed his success in such distant suburbs to his focus on such issues as education, transportation and tax relief for homeowners.

Kaine reiterated his pledge not to seek new sources of tax revenue, and he expressed his readiness to use a veto if necessary to prevent funds earmarked for transportation issues from being used for other purposes.

Kaine also announced the formation of committees to oversee the transition and the inauguration, which is to be held in colonial Williamsburg.

The transition team will be co-chaired by Larry Roberts, an Arlington lawyer who headed his gubernatorial campaign; Del. Viola Baskerville (D-Richmond); and Glenn Croshaw, a former Democratic delegate from Virginia Beach.

Kaine also announced the committee's first four staff members. He named Brian Shepard, his current chief of staff, as director; Judy Anderson as personnel director; Delacey Skinner, his campaign press secretary, as communication director; and Rick Siger as director of operations.

The inaugural committee will be headed by Matthew Felan, the campaign finance director. It will be chaired by Stuart Siegel, a Richmond businessman and longtime supporter, and Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, of Middleburg.

Staff writer William Branigin contributed from Washington.