LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) - Students at the university founded by the
late Rev. Jerry Falwell are credited with producing an upset victory for a Republican candidate in Virginia.

Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged thousands of students at the conservative Christian school to register to vote in Lynchburg instead of their home towns.

State Assembly Delegate Shannon Valentine, a Democrat, held a 1,400 vote lead Tuesday night before the final ballots were counted at a precinct where Liberty students voted.

That precinct produced 1,964 votes for Republican Scott Garrett and only 324 votes for Valentine, giving Garrett a roughly 200-vote victory.

Jerry Falwell Jr. says he's happy and pleased that the students made such a difference and proud of them.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)