Washington  - Republican Bob McDonnell was elected governor of Virginia on Tuesday, recapturing a closely watched US state that voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

Initial results gave McDonnell 61 per cent, compared to 39 per cent for Democratic Party candidate Creigh Deeds, reversing a decade- long string of defeats for Republicans in the Southern state.

State elections Tuesday in Virginia and New Jersey were being viewed as early tests of Obama's popularity. They are the first major elections since Obama was elected president in November 2008.

A majority of Virginia voted for Obama a year ago, which was the the first time the state have sided with a Democrat for president in more than four decades. Republicans had lost the state's last two elections for governor until Tuesday.

McDonnell campaigned on a promise of reviving job growth and smaller government in Virginia, mirroring the national campaign themes of the centre-right Republicans.

Both Obama and former president Bill Clinton had campaigned for Deeds over the last month. McDonnell received the support of some prominent Republicans, including former presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee. (dpa)