Virginia Senate Race Too Close to Call

In Prince William, Republican Corey A. Stewart beat Democrat Sharon E. Pandak in the race for chairman of the Board of County Supervisors. And in Manassas, Republican Jackson H. Miller beat Democrat Jeanette M. Rishell for the House seat held by the late Harry Parrish (R).

Chris Zimmerman (D) was reelected Arlington County Board chairman.

For Allen, 54, a win would represent a stunning recovery. Six months ago, he was actively exploring a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. But his Senate reelection campaign faltered after he called a Webb volunteer of Indian American descent a "macaca," which is a slur in some cultures.

Webb, 60, is a former Marine and first-time candidate who rarely seemed at ease on the campaign trail. In his campaign, Webb vowed to change the debate surrounding the Iraq war, which he opposed.

Voters yesterday expressed anger over President Bush's policies, especially in Iraq, with 52 percent saying they don't like the war and 53 percent disapproving of the job Bush is doing, according to the poll of 1,986 Virginia voters conducted by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International. The responses suggested that Allen's staunch support for the president cost him some votes.

"Two words," said Mark Early, 46, an independent from Arlington County, explaining his vote for Webb. " 'Neuter Bush.' With a Democratic Congress, the best we can do is limit the damage."

A majority of voters said they believe that Allen respects racial minorities despite accusations that he used racial slurs. But some voters also said they were turned off by Allen's macaca comment.

"That pretty much did it for me," said Sheryl Mason, 42, of Prince William, who voted for Webb. "You kind of think that if he makes that kind of slip-up . . . what's he been saying in private?"

But Allen was apparently successful in convincing voters that their taxes would go up if Webb was elected to the Senate. Almost two-thirds of voters questioned in the exit polls who said taxes were an extremely important issue said they voted for Allen.

"I really don't want my taxes raised," said Anne Harrell, 39, who voted for Allen in her Annandale precinct. "It's the money that's driving me."

When Allen formally announced his reelection bid in April, the biggest challenge appeared to be how to balance his Senate campaign with his presidential ambitions. Allen, who had just returned from speeches in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, declined to say whether he would serve a full six-year term if he were reelected.

"When we get to the future, I'll determine the future," he told reporters that day.