The last full week of September ended with the campaigns of both of Virginia’s candidates for governor claiming victory. Both had reasons to be happy. Three polls released during the past week show that Democrat R. Creigh Deeds has closed the gap with Republican Bob McDonnell to within 2 to 5 percentage points. “It’s a reflection of the fact that people are waking up to the race and responding very well to Creigh’s message and show a healthy amount of skepticism of Bob’s message and his record,“ Deeds senior adviser Mo Elleithee said a conference call with reporters.

Calling himself Richmond’s biggest cheerleader, Mayor Dwight C. Jones treated the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce to his first “state of the city” speech this morning. Jones kept the talk to themes he has honed in dozens of appearances since taking office in January. A real state of the city assessment, he said, would be difficult at this point.

King William County is open for business. Government officials and members of King William’s business community hope to spread that message with the establishment of the county’s first chamber of commerce.