The Biggest Surprise Of The Night Is Happening In Virginia...

Republican candidate Ed Gillespie has mounted a surprisingly strong challenge to incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Warner in Virginia, a development that has stunned political observers in an election-night surprise.

As of 10:20 p.m. ET, according to The Associated Press, Gillespie was leading by just more than 7,000 votes with 96% of precincts reporting. The bulk of the votes left to be counted were in Fairfax County, which is expected to favor Warner.

Gillespie, a former lobbyist and chair of the Republican National Committee, entered the race in January, giving Warner a legitimate challenge. But though the polls narrowed by about 10 points between mid-summer and November, Warner was still up an average of more than 9 points in public polls heading into election night.

Warner also remains a relatively popular senator in a swing state where President Barack Obama won in both 2008 and 2012.

It's the second time in this election cycle that a Virginia race has shocked the political landscape. In June, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor was knocked off by Republican primary challenger Dave Brat.