This Jeff Schapiro line is just brutal:

The Democrats would now hold 44 seats in the 100-member House. Since Howell became speaker in 2003, Republican losses in the House have accelerated.

Tough, but true. Which makes the press release from Howell on the results downright laughable:

The true test of a strong majority is whether it can weather bad times as well as good. Tonight, our strong Republican majority in the House of Delegates endured despite a challenging political environment.

Another victory such as last night's, and they are undone.