Republican Glenn Youngkin has been elected as Virginia's next governor in a major upset, with his Democratic opponent conceding the race. The ballot has been widely seen as a referendum on Joe Biden's presidency, and defeat will unnerve the Democrats. He won by 10 points in Virginia in the presidential election just a year ago. But rising inflation, a slow economic recovery, a deadlocked legislative agenda and the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan have hit his popularity. In a speech to cheering supporters, Mr Youngkin promised to get to work straight away to transform the state. "We work in real people time, not government time," the Republican declared. Mr McAuliffe served as governor from 2014-18. His opinion poll lead vanished in recent weeks, and in a statement after his loss said he had "come up short" but insisted the state remained on a path towards "inclusion, openness and tolerance for all". The state's current, Democratic governor, Ralph Northam, was unable to stand for re-election as Virginia does not allow governors to serve consecutive terms in office. In more potential good news for Virginia Republicans, their candidate, former US Marine Winsome Sears, is tipped to become the first black female lieutenant governor of the state, which was the former seat of the pro-slavery Confederacy during the American Civil War.     The Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general, Cuban American Jason Miyares, was also leading that vote count. And Republicans seemed to be closing in on control of the state's House of Delegates. In other elections across the US on Tuesday: In New Jersey, Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli is neck and neck with Democratic Governor Phil Murphy Amid surging crime, Minneapolis voters rejected a proposal to replace the city's police department with a new Department of Public Safety, more than a year after the murder of George Floyd by an officer As expected, Democrat Eric Adams won New York City's mayoral election to replace his party colleague Bill de Blasio; Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa was involved in an argument at his polling station after turning up to vote with a pet cat and being told his furry friend Gizmo could not enter Pittsburgh picked its first black mayor, Democrat Ed Gainey In Boston, Asian-American candidate Michelle Wu was elected mayor, becoming the first woman and first person of colour to take the post.  "One of my sons asked me the other night if boys can be elected mayor of Boston," the Democrat told supporters. "They have been, and they will again some day, but not tonight."