ELECTORAL SIGNS POINT TO A REPUBLICAN WAVE BUILDING.

While most off-year political watchers are focusing on the 2009 races for governor in Virginia and New Jersey as a barometer on next year's midterms, there are other signs from special and local elections are showing a huge swing in the mood of the electorate from last year. A swing to Republican candidates because of a desire to return to conservative values and policies.

Notable as of late have been the wins in New Mexico, North Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Earlier this month in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Republican State Representative Richard Berry was elected the city's mayor, the first GOP mayor in a quarter-century for the city. Granted, he was helped by the fact that two Democrats split the vote, but for a Republican to win enough votes in a city such as this, the largest in New Mexico, to win outright victory is still a stunner. For those who are unfamiliar with the state's politics, it has been trending strongly Democratic in recent election years. Now, there is even talk that Berry will become a leading voice for the state and a potential congressional or statewide candidate in future years.

On October 6th in Raleigh, North Carolina, four Wake County School Board seats were up for re-election, and Republicans swept all four of them. Also, the GOP picked up a seat in the Raleigh City Council.

The election news in New Mexico and North Carolina came to me by way of SaveTheGOP.com.

More recently, last week in Tennessee and Oklahoma, Republicans made big state legislative wins. In the Volunteer State, Republican Pat Marsh won a long-time Democratically-held State House District 62. The trucking firm owner beat Democrat Ty Cobb, the brother of the former state legislator who retired the seat, by a 56-41 percent margin. The seat had never been held by a Republican previously. The event has even been described by one Nashville news source as a "Democrat disaster". The most important coming out of the win is that it dramatically changes the make-up of the closely divided state house. Coming into last Tuesday's election, the state house was deadlocked 49-49 with one Independent caucusing with the GOP. Now it is a 50-48 Republican body with the one Independent.

As the state continues to quickly become more Republican, and shake out its former solidly Democratic past, this becomes vital as redistricting is performed after next year's mid-terms. Now the GOP holds quite a bit of influence in Tennessee, including 2 U.S. Senators, a 19-14 majority in the state senate and now the state house. GOP power was gained in the state senate in 2006 for the first time in decades and in the state house last year. The Dems hold the governor's mansion and a 5-4 lead in the U.S. Congressional delegation. Going into next year, those are also found to be in jeopardy, and especially in redistricting to come.

In the race for Tennessee State House District 62, especially interesting is the fact that the Democratic nominee, Cobb, and the state Democratic establishment decided to campaign like a Republican, with a focus on conservative principles. Cobb got the endorsement from the Tennessee Right To Life and put out these mailings. He failed miserably as the voters from the area, which includes Shelbyville, saw through the mask. However, it shows the point that the Democrats know that they can't win majorities without attempting a conservative message.

In Oklahoma, which along with Tennessee has quickly transformed into one of the strongest GOP states in the union, Democratically-held State House District 55 went Republican for the first time in nearly 45 years.

Businessman Todd Russ, also a Cordell City Councilman, defeated Democratic Educator Larry Peck with about 55.9 percent of the vote. The last time a Republican held that seat, the year was 1965. Democrats hold a nearly 2-to-1 voting majority in District 55. The GOP has been making strong and steady gains in the Oklahoma house, going from a 57-44 majority in 2004 to now holding 62 seats in the body of 101.

Other special election victories for the GOP this year can be found here, courtesy of the RSLC.

Are these signs of the mood of the nation, or just outlying victories for the GOP. Well, I say that the events speak for themselves.