The end of an expensive, nasty and lopsided Virginia governor’s race draws near as candidates Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds on Monday started a final push to whip up support across the commonwealth.

Republican McDonnell looked to cement his advantage with seven campaign rallies, book-ended by stops in Alexandria, close to his childhood home, and Virginia Beach, where he started his political career. At a get-out-the-vote rally in Bristow, he offered the closing argument for his candidacy that appealed directly to his conservative base, pledging more “innovation and consolidation and privatization” in government.