Why Terry McAuliffe barely won  —  How the heck did that happen?  —  Most public polls leading up to Election Day had Terry McAuliffe coasting to victory, some by double digits, in the Virginia governor's race.  Instead he squeaked by, beating Republican Ken Cuccinelli by less than 3 percentage points.

White House sends SOS to insurers  —  The White House on Tuesday asked health insurers for help in quelling the growing furor over the cancellation of insurance plans under ObamaCare.  —  In a meeting at the White House, Obama's chief of staff Denis McDonough asked insurance executives …

De Blasio Is Elected New York City Mayor in Landslide  —  Bill de Blasio, who transformed himself from a little-known occupant of an obscure office into the fiery voice of New York's disillusionment with a new gilded age, was elected the city's 109th mayor on Tuesday.

51ST STATE QUESTION ANSWERED “YES” IN 6 OF 11 COUNTIES CONTEMPLATING SECESSION  —  Weld County Commissioner Sean Conway, center, with other elected officials address a group of supporters of the 51st State Initiative during an election result watch party at the Historic Fort Lupton Fort, November 5, 2013.

Sources: Runyan won't seek re-election in 2014  —  Jon Runyan, the former pro football player turned congressman, will not seek a third term in the House of Representatives next year, according to multiple sources familiar with the congressman's plans.  —  The sources said the Mount Laurel …

Democrats' Anxiety Grows Over Obamacare Problems  —  When a loyal leader on your own team says there is a “crisis of confidence” surrounding your signature initiative, you've got trouble.  —  That's the phrase Democratic Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski of Maryland used repeatedly Tuesday morning …

Illinois Sends Bill Allowing Gay Marriage to Governor  —  The Illinois House of Representatives voted Tuesday to allow same-sex couples to wed, ending months of delay over the issue in the Capitol and clearing the way for Illinois to become the 15th state, along with the District of Columbia, to permit gay couples to marry.

Washington Times ends Sen. Rand Paul column amid plagiarism allegations  —  U.S. Sen. Rand Paul acknowledged Tuesday he had failed to properly source material in published writings, including a column in The Washington Times, after a string of embarrassing plagiarism accusations surfaced in recent days.

Pictured with the man who shot him dead moments later: RAF policeman grins alongside rogue Afghan policeman who opened fire on him and comrade  —  An unwitting British soldier who posed for a photograph with a rogue Afghan policeman was shot dead by him seconds later.

Jennifer Johnson beats husband in Waterville warden race  —  Husband versus wife battle for Ward 1 seat drew statewide attention and, the competitors hope, attention to the election process  —  WATERVILLE — Jennifer Johnson won the Ward 1 warden position over her competitor and spouse, David Johnson, on Tuesday night 127-76.

Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore predicts lawmakers will rein in surveillance  —  MONTREAL - Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore predicted Tuesday that lawmakers in his country would rein in intelligence agencies in the wake of leaks by whistleblower Edward Snowden, who revealed massive secret government surveillance programs.

VOTERS REJECT BIG TAX HIKE, SCHOOL FINANCE MEASURE AMENDMENT 66  —  Voters emphatically rejected a $950 million tax increase and the school funding revamp that came with it, handing Amendment 66 a resounding defeat Tuesday night.  —  The measure fell behind by a large margin as the early returns …

Establishment beats tea party in Alabama runoff  —  Bradley Byrne, a former state senator, defeated businessman Dean Young in the GOP primary runoff for Alabama's 1st district, CNN projects.  —  Follow @politicalticker Follow @danmericaCNN Follow @KevinBohnCNN