Webb Wins Democratic Nomination In Virginia

The contest also divided many of the state's power brokers and political leaders -- who backed Miller early -- from their counterparts at the national level, who saw in Webb a war hero with an antiwar message that would be the perfect challenge to Allen's support for Bush.

"With Jim Webb as the Democratic nominee in Virginia, we have an opportunity to give George Allen a real run for his money," Schumer said.

From the beginning, though, Miller rejected the notion that Webb was more electable.

He quickly attacked Webb's longtime association with the GOP, contending that Webb was still a Republican at heart and questioning his dedication to Democratic principles. Miller repeatedly reminded voters that Webb endorsed Allen in 2000 over Robb and backed President Bush that year as well.

"When we were fighting in the trenches to defeat George Bush and George Allen in 2000, you weren't just voting for them; you were endorsing them," Miller said to Webb during a contentious debate on a Virginia Beach television show in May.

Miller also questioned Webb's commitment to traditional Democratic policies, such as affirmative action and support for women's rights. He pointed to some articles Webb has written, such as one in which Webb wrote that affirmative action has brought about "a permeating state-sponsored racism."

Webb strongly denied the contention that he opposes affirmative action, saying he supports the program for black people but takes issue with broader diversity efforts that do not offer preferential treatment for the economically disadvantaged.

Throughout the campaign, Miller was able to distribute his criticisms widely, thanks to a lead in fundraising that he never relinquished.

Webb fought back. The former Marine, who won several medals for valor during Vietnam, responded angrily during interviews and debates to the suggestion that he was not a legitimate Democrat.

Webb said he had "made a mistake" in supporting Allen and Bush in 2000 but realized it only after the Sept. 11 attacks and the decision to invade Iraq, which Webb criticized in a Washington Post opinion piece in 2002.

In the two Northern Virginia congressional primaries, the candidates also argued about who was best equipped to beat an entrenched incumbent.

Longmyer, 68, and Hurst, 36, spent much of their campaign criticizing the Bush administration. Longmyer, who has run against Davis before, said he had the experience to mount a successful campaign. Hurst said Longmyer has raised too little money in the past to be a serious challenger.

Ellmore and O'Donoghue focused their campaigns to oust Moran on border security and the need to stay the course in Iraq. Ellmore called himself the real conservative; O'Donoghue stressed his military background.

Staff writers Robert Barnes, Tim Craig, Chris L. Jenkins and Lisa Rein contributed to this report.