Chesterbrook Precinct: A happy, if divided, marriage

Pat and Beth Echols are happily married, even though he voted for Robert McDonnell and she voted for Creigh Deeds at the Chesterbrook precinct near their home in McLean this afternoon.

"Even though we vote differently, we still have a good marriage," said Beth Echols, 85, a self-described "liberal Democrat."

Pat Echols, 84, served in the state senate in the late 1960s and always votes for the GOP. These days, he's assisted by a walker.

"All this stuff they brought out about him didn't matter," he said, of McDonnell. "You judge a man by his record, not by his thesis. He's done right.

Beth Echols said she appreciated Deeds' candor on his transportation plan.

"I believe in raising taxes," she said. "I think that's the way to go right now, and he's been very straightforward in saying that's something he'd consider."

After each took a turn explaining their vote, the husband laughed.

"That's more politics than we've talked in six weeks," he said, revealing what may be the secret to an across-the-aisle marriage.