Establishment Republican tactician Ed Gillespie faces off against Democrat Ralph Northam in tonight’s Virginia gubernatorial race. The contest between the two milquetoast and uninspiring establishment candidates represents nearly everything voters hate about politics.

Gillespie and his band of virtue-signalling Bush loyalists in the GOP love when political and media elites pat them on their heads for being “good Republicans” (translation: useful idiots). But when Gillespie was down double digits in the polls, he suddenly decided that the way to win was to focus on illegal immigration. Gillespie closed the gap, dictated the terms of the debate in the home stretch, put Northam on the defensive, and forced Northam to turn off some anti-Trump resistance activists who were incensed that Northam said he would sign a bill to outlaw sanctuary cities.

Legendary former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder–who refused to endorse Northam for foolishly marginalizing Justin Fairfax, the black Democrat running to succeed Northam as lieutenant governor, when Northam needs to get as many black Democrats to vote for him as possible—may have said it best when he said of the gubernatorial contest, “We do not have the best candidates.”

The candidate who wins will be the one who gets the most voters to go to the polls for them while holding their noses.

Stay tuned to Breitbart News for live updates throughout the evening. All times eastern.

Polls close at 7 p.m. eastern

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10:45: Report: Gillespie refused to do interviews with Breitbart News and embrace economic nationalism:

Sources close to Bannon told The Daily Beast that he had extended multiple offer to Gillespie and his team to campaign and stage rallies together and that Gillespie refused those overtures. Bannon was also frustrated that Gillespie would not come on his Breitbart radio show, nor would he do interviews with Breitbart News. A Gillespie spokesman did not return a request for comment. Even as Bannon publicly voiced support for Gillespie and the Republican ticket, he privately complained about Gillespie’s unwillingness to go “full Trump,” and to actively embrace the president and “economic nationalism.” That, as Bannon and his allies would tell it, is when and how Gillespie lost it. “Ed Gillespie had no message, was inauthentic, spoke from both sides of his mouth, and at the end of the day, even the deplorables couldn’t save him,” Andrew Surabian, Bannon’s political adviser and former Trump White House official, told The Daily Beast, shortly after Gillespie’s loss on Tuesday evening. “Gillespie campaigned with George W. Bush, [but] ran from President Trump.”

10:25: Amnesty agitators cause disturbance before Northam victory speech by demanding sanctuary for all illegal immigrants!!! Orchestra Pit!

People chanting in support of sanctuary cities take over Northam's speech, peacefully escorted out. @NBC12 pic.twitter.com/T9ZKKqtMkn — Drew Wilder (@DrewWilderTV) November 8, 2017

Protestors now at @RalphNortham: “You borrowed our vote. Sanctuary for all.” Northam exits stage. Even on a night like tonight it can’t go smoothly for Dems. — Cameron Joseph (@cam_joseph) November 8, 2017

Protest breaks out during Northam's victory speech, person is removed after screaming sanctuary cities pic.twitter.com/XaLPGDZ2jh — Lisa Hagen (@LA_Hagen) November 8, 2017

Northam leaves stage as he starts his victory speech because of protestors demonstrating against his stance on Sanctuary Cities — John Infanti (@Johnny_2Hats) November 8, 2017

A number of people being removed from Northam's acceptance speech. They were screaming for sanctuary cities. #ElectionDay2017 — Logan Sherrill (@LoganSherrillTV) November 8, 2017

Protesters drowned out Ralph Northam when he first took stage at victory party. Were carrying "sanctuary for all" signs. — Laura Barrón-López (@lbarronlopez) November 8, 2017

A Dem pro leans over to me: “This is why we can’t have nice things”https://t.co/HtgSOxPuRp — Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) November 8, 2017

10:20:

10:15:

Trump is the FIFTH President in a row to have his party lose BOTH the VA & NJ gubernatorial races in his first year in office.

Winners:

2017: Dems Northam/Murphy

2009: GOPers McDonnell/Christie

2001: Dems Warner/McGreevey

1993: GOPers Allen/Whitman

1989: Dems Wilder/Florio — Chris Donovan (@chrisdonovan) November 8, 2017

10:10: Interesting idea from Jerry Falwell Jr.

DC should annex NOVA and return the governance of VA to Virginians! The founders intended DC to include all fed employees who are conflicted — Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) November 8, 2017

10:05: Thrashing in Prince William County:

Northam now up 8.9 points with the Prince William County absentee vote left, likely to push him just over 9 — Nate Cohn (@Nate_Cohn) November 8, 2017

9:45:

https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/928068926122184704

9:40: They will never leave the GOP, though, because the moment they drop the nominal “R” next to their names is when they cease being useful to the media elites who hate everyday working-class Americans as much as they do.

Every conservative on social media should note carefully the glee of #NeverTrump at a Democrat victory. — Joel B. Pollak (@joelpollak) November 8, 2017

9:30:

9:17: LOL! Only policy recommendation in autopsy (what a brilliant name) report was amnesty for illegal immigrants.

The GOP may want to dust off the old autopsy. — Mindy Finn (@mindyfinn) November 8, 2017

9:10:

The #NeverTrump GOP swamp rats merely used "conservatism" as a beard to hide their elitist cronyism. Trump revealed the truth. #MAGA https://t.co/p1TOikYY3m — Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) November 7, 2017

Amen–The Never Trump Frauds should just join the No Labels movement or try to make Dems more fiscally conservative. Oh, wait. Then they would never be able to be used as useful “Republican” idiots since there are plenty of people on the left who are more interesting than they will ever be. As soon as they join the No Labels movement for the 3.8%, they no longer become useful to the media elite who hate everyday Americans just as much as these Never Trump fraudsters and career hacks who live to be quoted in legacy media outlets do.

This is by far my favorite aspect of his ascendancy. — Daniel Horowitz (@RMConservative) November 7, 2017

9:05: BREITBART’S JOEL POLLAK: Dem Wins in Virginia, New Jersey: Not a Repudiation of Trump, but a Warning:

Democrats won races for governor in both New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday evening, even as President Donald Trump’s supporters prepared to mark the first anniversary of their historic win. It is not exactly a shock: both states voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and the Democratic candidates were favored in both. On the other hand, Republicans won both states in 2009, which kicked off the Tea Party wave that won back the U.S. House in 2010. Pundits are calling Tuesday’s results a repudiation of Trump. That is more than a stretch; it is flatly contradicted by some of the data. Republican Jill Vogel, running for Lieutenant Governor in Virginia, hitched herself to Trump and out-performed the GOP establishment candidate at the top of the ticket, Ed Gillespie, by tens of thousands of votes. It would be more accurate to point out that, once again, the Republican establishment came up short. Someone in the Gillespie campaign actually thought it would be a good idea to campaign with Condoleezza Rice — who, for all her merits, is a relic of the George W. Bush administration. Gillespie belatedly embraced Trump supporters, but it seems clear from local results that there were more than a few conservatives who were reluctant to be seduced. A late conversion might have been possible for another candidate, but not one who had already run and lost statewide.

Dem Wins in Virginia, New Jersey: Not a Repudiation of Trump, but a Warning – Breitbart https://t.co/ZWQ2IAlabx via @BreitbartNews — Joel B. Pollak (@joelpollak) November 8, 2017

9:00:

Two blue states stayed blue tonight. But the divided Democrats still have real issues to resolve; namely, is rigging their own presidential primary still standard operating procedure at the @DNC? — Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) November 8, 2017

not sure that Dems coming out of VA and NJ tonight as the pro-sanctuary party is long term plus for them. #DemsStillOutThere — Alex Castellanos (@alexcast) November 8, 2017

8:45:

Ed Gillespie worked hard but did not embrace me or what I stand for. Don’t forget, Republicans won 4 out of 4 House seats, and with the economy doing record numbers, we will continue to win, even bigger than before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2017

8:38:

Gillespie pulled MAGA too late. Gained but wasn’t AUTHENTIC. People didn’t believe he was non-swamp. That’s tonight’s lesson #VAGOV — Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) November 8, 2017

https://twitter.com/DavidBozell/status/928070548504174592

8:15: NBC Projects Northam Win:

BREAKING: Ralph Northam wins Virginia Governor race, @NBCNews projects pic.twitter.com/qp0SxsCIOp — NBC News (@NBCNews) November 8, 2017

8:12: Failure: Another Establishment GOP Disaster.

19% of New Jersey voters in preliminary exit poll results say they approve of Gov. Chris Christie. Half say Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno’s ties to Christie make them think worse of her, rather than better. https://t.co/ehr4uJHy3B pic.twitter.com/gnXTr2HRc2 — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 7, 2017

8:05: Transgender candidate elected in Virginia:

Danica Roem (D) has defeated Bob Marshall (R) in HD13. She will be America's first transgender state legislator. — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) November 8, 2017

7:55: Cook Political Report’s Wasserman Projects Northam Will Win.

Projection: Ralph Northam (D) has been elected next governor of VA, defeating Ed Gillespie (R). #VAGOV — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 8, 2017

Republican Lt. Gov candidate Jill Vogel, who fully embraced Trump, currently outperforming Gillespie, who didn't. R's will be all over this… #VAGOV — Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) November 8, 2017

7:30 PM: Some numbers from Prince William County:

In Prince William County, early returns have Northam 23,682 up over @EdWGillespie 14,197. — Don Palmer ⚖️🗳️ (@VotingGuy) November 8, 2017

7:20 PM:

Vote among women in Virginia via @CNN exit polls –> 2017: Northam +19

2016: Clinton +17

2014: Warner +12

2013: McAullife +9 — Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) November 8, 2017

7:10 PM: Interesting Exit Poll Numbers:

Virginia exit poll: White (68%)

Gillespie 59%

Northam 40% Black (20%)

Gillespie 13%

Northam 86% Latino (6%)

Gillespie 35%

Northam 62% — Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) November 8, 2017

More from VA exit: White college grad

Gillespie 50%

Northam 49% White non-college

Gillespie 74%

Northam 24% — Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) November 8, 2017

2013:

White 72%

Cuccinelli 56

McAuliffe 36 Black 20%

Cooch 8

McAuliffe 90 Latino 4%

(too small to break out) https://t.co/bIUb7IbEAl — Reid Wilson (@PoliticsReid) November 8, 2017

7 PM: Polls now closed in Virginia. Gov. race results here. Results for House of Delegates and local races here.

6:50 PM: More exit polls: Health care top issue for voters.

PRELIM VA exit poll data: The top issue to VA voters is healthcare, with just under 4 in 10 naming it as the most important issue in deciding their vote. About 1 in 7 apiece name gun policy, immigration and taxes as most important. About 1 in 10 say abortion. — Post Polls (@PostPolls) November 7, 2017

6:40 PM:

Richmond Registrar says turnout so far is at a "respectable" 37% @CBS6 — Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6) November 7, 2017

I am at Henrico voting precinct with highest turnout so far. 71% of registered voters have turned out at Third Church on Forest Ave @CBS6 — Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6) November 7, 2017

Poll workers tell me 71% is high for a non-presidential election year @CBS6 #henrico — Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6) November 7, 2017

6:32 PM: Will rural turnout make the difference?

.@VA_GOP staff feeling this election may turn on rural turnout, not NOVA. Saying numbers up 120% in some rural precincts. @CBS6 #VaGov pic.twitter.com/mgQeBbsroz — Jake Burns (@JakeBurnsCBS6) November 7, 2017

Really enjoyed my time @LibertyU last week! Thanking #LibertyUniversity students for taking the time to vote today for @EdWGillespie ! https://t.co/Bq31zSmFGI — Cathy Gillespie (@CathyGillespie) November 7, 2017

6:30 PM: Democrats excited about Fairfax numbers. Gov. Terry McAuliffe is optimistic on MSNBC, predicting Dems will sweep the three statewide races.

Dems will be very happy about this. Stronghold Fairfax hits 2013 (McAuliffe) vote level w/ 2 hours of voting remaining https://t.co/sY0k9A4v7j — Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) November 7, 2017

5 p.m. estimated voter turnout is 39.1% + estimated absentee at 7.7% = 46.8%. About 90 minutes to get to poll by 7 p.m. Drive safely please! — Fairfax County Votes (@fairfaxvotes) November 7, 2017

These extraordinary Fairfax/ALX numbers are music to Dems’ ears. But need to see more downstate reports before drawing too much meaning. https://t.co/mpldoOIled — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 7, 2017

Exit Polls: Trump Not a Factor:

Virginians were asked if they were voting for or against Trump:

To express support for Trump: 16%

To express opposition to Trump: 32%

Trump not a factor: 49%

Gillespie Seems to Want It More than Northam:

Remember to cast your ballot on your way home from work! Enjoyed supporting our ticket in Chesterfield just now. pic.twitter.com/ulOzleUgXb — Ed Gillespie (@EdWGillespie) November 7, 2017

Next stop was Montclair Elementary in Dumfries. Doing well in swing precinct in greater PWC! pic.twitter.com/tf5AjS6pm3 — Ed Gillespie (@EdWGillespie) November 7, 2017

A few more hours to go! Momentum is strong at Tuckahoe Elementary in Henrico! pic.twitter.com/skwQ6QoNNu — Ed Gillespie (@EdWGillespie) November 7, 2017

Outrageous Truck Ad Backfiring on Northam?

The Latino Victory Fund’s commercial that depicted Gillespie supporters in Virginia as racist who want to mow down minority children may have backfired and even motivated Republicans in Northern Virginia to out on their raincoats and boots and go to the polls to vote against the ad, which the left-wing group pulled after an Islamic terrorist used a truck to kill eight people and injure at least a dozen in New York.

Our reporters at polls in NoVa have talked to a few Republican voters who say the Latino Victory Fund ad factored large in their vote — Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) November 7, 2017

.@RalphNortham doesn't just disagree with millions of Virginia voters, he disdains us. pic.twitter.com/VrYQuODSA8 — Ed Gillespie (@EdWGillespie) November 2, 2017

Raining in Northern Virginia:

The weather has been nasty in vote-rich Northern Virginia. Obama supporters would be more than willing to go to the polls for him on rainy and dreary. But will enough of Northern Virginia’s professionals enthusiastically head to the polls in droves for Northam in nasty weather?

Exit polls: Voters want Confederate statues left in place:

A whopping 94% of Republicans and 73% of Independents want the monuments to stay.

“The lieutenant governor came forward and said we should remove all of the historical statues in the Commonwealth of Virginia, I disagree with that,” Gillespie told The Hill on Tuesday. “And that’s a difference in policy. It’s a legitimate debate but it’s a difference in policy.”