CHICAGO (CNN) - If things don't turn out well for the Democratic ticket tonight, Joe Biden can be comforted by the fact that he won't be out of a job.
In a race that was essentially a foregone conclusion, Biden was re-elected to his seventh term in the U.S. Senate Tuesday night, beating 39-year-old Republican challenger Christine O'Donnell.
Biden hasn't campaigned for re-election since becoming the vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket, but he did release a one-minute campaign ad and mention his re-election at Delaware's Jefferson-Jackson dinner on October 13.
"Just remember folks, I am on the ballot. Don't be carried away with this vice president stuff. I am on the ballot running for my seventh term," said Biden. "So don't forget, don't stop at the top of that ticket, walk your way down. You can vote twice for the first time in your life for the same guy and it be legal."
O'Donnell is a conservative activist and marketing consultant who has never held political office and who has complained that Biden hasn't come home to campaign against her.
"If he was a true servant of the people, he would honor the office of U.S. Senate ... at least feign an attempt of running," O'Donnell told Politico.
Around Wilmington, Biden doesn't have the usual 'for Senate' campaign signs, instead his simply read "Delaware's Joe Biden," and he has said in the past that Delaware voters simply know him as "Joe."
If Biden becomes the vice president-elect, the duty falls to the state's governor to name a replacement when Biden resigns, which he said he would do when sworn in as vice president. The new Democratic governor, Jack Markell, would name someone to serve until 2010 at which point an election will be held.
There is strong speculation that Biden's son Beau, the state's attorney general and a captain in Delaware's National Guard awaiting deployment to Iraq, would run for his father's seat.
From CNN Politics
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mac, it worked. Biden is beautiful.
GO BIDEN! Wow, seventh term... that says A LOT. I am proud to have voted for you and Barack. Good luck and God Bless!
i'm sure Obama is going to win tonight. and this is going to be a real history and dream came true...
Don't be bitter Mac. Joe Biden paid for everything he owns himself, and an fyi - Biden is considered to be one of the few US Senators who is not a personal multi-millionaire. Biden pays his own way and hasn't been greedy. Don't be bitter about your loss tonight.
You served us well as a Senator, Joe. But now it's time to take your rightful place as Vice President. Can't wait to see you in action in your new post.
Lamar – Who will replace Senator Biden? Senator Biden.
No Biden. No thanks. Not for senator. Not for vp.
Angela, sounds just like what they say before the stick a needle in you. So if McCain wins, do you have the same advice for us Americans? Or can we tell the rest of the world to "settle down" it will all be alright.
As for this article, it's the first I've heard that he was even running. I'm sure that the media didn't find interest in the fact that he didn't want to go for the VP job without a fallback on the public dole? Hey Joe, ever held a real job? 7 terms?
With RIGHTEOUS wind behind your back........ What more do you EXPECT.......
President BARACK OBAMA/BIDEN
08
Joe Biden is one fabulous man. He is so down to earth and real. Go Joe!!
to the top the very top let's ROCK!!!
Oh, why can't all politicians be Joe Biden?!!! Thank you, God, for this night. The smart people of this country are taking back the flag!
Biden and Obama both look cute ...tall and handsome...Whitehouse will be flowing with cute dudes..
YOUR GOOD JOE
WE LOVE YOU
WAY TO GO
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!