Cuccinelli elected attorney general

Republican Sen. Ken Cuccinelli was elected attorney general tonight over Democratic Del. Stephen C. Shannon in a battle between two lawmakers from Fairfax County, according to unofficial returns.

Cuccinelli ran as a strict constructionist who pledged to protect the Virginia constitution and the state’s right-to-work law.
Shannon, a former prosecutor, focused his campaign on the top-cop aspect of the job by pledging to prosecute Internet predators personally if necessary. He attempted to paint Cuccinelli as a social crusader who would use the office as a platform to advance his personal agenda.