Like many students, Rachael A. Wagner '04 spent election night watching the results trickle in from campaign races around the country.

But instead of lounging in her Apley Court double, she was sitting next to her mother, the Democratic House candidate in Virginia's tightly-contested Second Congressional District.

While Rachael's mother, Jody Wagner, has not run for political office before, Rachael said she wasn't surprised by mother's decision to run. She even flew down to Virginia Beach yesterday afternoon to surprise her mother and offer her support.

While the elder Wagner is a political novice, the race is deadlocked, with both candidates within the margin of error. Wagner held a slim two percent lead in the final poll before the election.

CNN correspondent Stuart Rothenberg picked the race as one of "28 House races to watch" last Thursday, and the race has drawn increased national attention as Democrats have intensified their efforts to regain the House.

According to Rachael Wagner, her mother was not looking for the national spotlight.

For the last 17 years, her mother worked as a partner at the law firm Kaufman and Canoles, specializing in securities law.

She was also the chair of Rachael's school board of directors, held leadership positions in several Jewish community groups and raised money for local United Ways.