Governor's race comes to Hampton Roads

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Far from being a celebration during a holiday weekend, the last three days before the gubernatorial election have become a precious few hours to campaign.

"Send out that last email," urged Republican candidate Bob McDonnell. "Knock on those last couple doors."

McDonnell made four stops on Saturday, traveling from Northern Virginia through Richmond and down to Williamsburg.

"Let's pump up that turnout. Let's have more freedom loving Virginians come to the polls on November 3rd," McDonnell yelled at a stop in Richmond.

Even with a comfortable lead in the polls, McDonnell isn't slowing down his campaign. Richmond's rally was the third stop of the day for the Republican. He started in Springfield, putting as many miles behind his campaign in the last few days as possible

His opponent, Democrat Creigh Deeds, is following a different path, taking him through Christiansburg headed east.

"I want to get people out to vote," said Deeds. "I want to get as many people out to vote as I can."

Both candidates have the same final destination: Hampton Roads. The two will focus their efforts on this area in the last days before the election, since there could be enough voters here to sway an election.

"The whole idea is to motivate people and get people to come out and vote."

Only a year after Virginia went blue for the first time in nearly half a century in a close presidential election, the state's direction is up for grabs once again.

Deeds has stopped planned throughout Hampton Roads on Sunday, including Hampton, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. McDonnell will stop in Chesapeake in the morning before returning to Virginia Beach Monday night.