CNN anchor Jake Tapper was astounded on Tuesday night at the speed at which Democrats were projected to win the governor's race in Virginia.

The race was called less than an hour after the polls closed, with former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger defeating Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican. CNN and The Associated Press called the race with Spanberger winning about 54% of the vote, with 32% of the vote counted.

"The polls didn't even close an hour ago," Tapper said during CNN's election night coverage. "That is quite a big moment for Democrats who have not had a lot to be happy about in the last year."

Election analysts have said the Virginia governor's race could be a bellwether for the 2026 midterm election. Trump gained ground in the state during the 2024 election cycle, and Spanberger made inroads in counties that leaned toward Trump, according to CNN's analysts.

"Candidates matter," CNN anchor Dana Bash added.