Boucher loses seat

Veteran Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) — a leading coal-state negotiator in last year’s House cap-and-trade debate — has lost his reelection bid against Republican Morgan Griffith in perhaps the first real surprise of the evening.

Boucher (D-Va.) — who a month ago appeared headed toward a 15th term — fell victim to a late surge by Griffith. 

Boucher has had to vigorously defend his role in shaping last year’s House climate bill.

He said he negotiated at the request of the coal industry, and helped put together, a good deal to keep electricity rates low and sustain a future for the coal industry.

But Griffith argued that cap-and-trade would kill coal and result in high electricity rates, while alleging Boucher marches in lockstep with President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Boucher has not had a tough reelection in many years. He won with 97 percent of the vote two years ago.