Your morning jolt: The long-shot Democrat wins a primary race for governor

House Minority Leader DuBose Porter had a satisfying vision last night.

He dreamed that a veteran state lawmaker from down state whupped two well-funded, well-known Democratic candidates in a primary for governor.

In other words, he fell asleep with the TV on. This from the Washington Post:

R. Creigh Deeds, a longtime state legislator from rural Bath County, won a stunning come-from-behind victory in the Democratic primary for Virginia governor last night, overwhelming a pair of better-funded and better-positioned opponents.

Deeds beat Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe in every region of the state, including vote-rich Northern Virginia, despite a pro-gun stance and relatively conservative positions that are out of line with many of the area’s voters. His victory was so dominant that he captured 10 of the state’s 11 congressional districts, including the one held by Moran’s brother, U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr.

The Virginia race for governor is one of two in the nation this year, and so is being closely watched. The 6 percent turnout certainly noted, as was this last paragraph in the Post article:

In the final days, McAuliffe and Moran worked aggressively to push back against the surging Deeds by reminding voters of his right-leaning record, which included support for allowing concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol and opposition to a ban on restricting handgun purchases to one a month.

By evening’s end, the Republican National Committee had already issued a mass e-mail, attacking Deeds for his support of a gasoline tax hike and a tobacco tax hike. Deeds will face Republican Robert F. McDonnell.

Someone in this state’s university system doesn’t understand that the raised nail always gets hammered.

The Board of Regents on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a $6.27 billion budget, 3 percent larger than the original one set for the current fiscal year.

According to Walter Jones with the Morris News Service:

About $60 million of the increase comes from higher tuition and fees, according to Usha Ramachandran, vice chancellor for fiscal affairs. Another $65 million comes from enrollment growth, projected at 12,000 to 15,000 students for the school year that starts in August, she said.

Just 38 percent of the university system’s revenue comes from taxpayer funds….

Asked about the decision to hike tuition when parents and students are coping with a recession, [Chancellor Erroll] Davis said the revised tuition structure held steady the price of taking 12 hours per semester and raised other courseload combinations partly to nudge students to take enough classes to complete their degrees within four years.

“If you believe this (recession) is a short-term situation and you want to manage your finances, we have provided a mechanism for you to do that,” he said.

The Floyd County Republican Party is urging residents of Rome to line the streets for 21-year-old Jeffrey Jordan of Cave Spring, a National Guardsman who was one of three Georgians killed in Afghanistan last week. He’s to be flown home on Thursday.

This notice was posted on PeachPundit:

It is hoped that the community will honor and respect Spc. Jordan by lining the procession route from Russell Field to Henderson and Sons. The Russell Field/Armuchee portion and Broad Street areas are particularly appropriate. Flags, prayers, and salutes will be warranted and everyone is encouraged to be there and have a flag.

Two candidates are staking claims to vacant state Senate seats this week.

On Friday, Donzella James will announce her campaign for “re-election” to the seat now held by Kasim Reed, who is running for mayor of Atlanta. James ran against U.S. Rep. David Scott last year.

On Tuesday, former Muscogee Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon announced his candidacy for the District 29 seat now held by Seth Harp, who is running for state insurance commissioner.

Harp was present at McKoon’s announcement, and endorsed him.

While you ponder the above, consider these items found while perusing this morning’s ajc.com:

Isakson: Give GM stock to taxpayers.

Medical College of Georgia will learn in June if it can expand to Athens.

Former DeKalb County police chief files discrimination charge.

City of Atlanta spent thousands to fight claims by five injured cops.

State officials ease off budget cuts that would have eliminated wheel-chair athletic competitions.

Unemployment benefits extensions on the way.

Ban lifted on new Lake Lanier boat docks.

Some opinion:

Your Luckovich fix.

Cynthia Tucker says Obama changed minds in Lebanon.

Deborah Riner argues that Georgia would win with a tobacco tax hike.

Steve Valk says we need to help 72 million kids go to school.

From elsewhere in Georgia:

Atlanta Business Chronicle: Feds say there were 5.4 job seekers for every job opening in April.

And beyond:

WSJ: U.S. temporarily suspends policy of deporting widows of citizens.

NYT: A brief history of the federal deficit.

WP: Kathleen Parker says Sarah Palin’s dysfunctional organization may be her undoing.

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.