Although the exact electoral numbers won’t be known for several days as ballots continue to be counted, here are the known results for some of the major contests from yesterday’s mid-term election:
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Republicans regain majority control, with an expected tally (as of this writing) of
239 Republicans to 183 Democrats
U.S. SENATE:
Democrats retained a slight majority control, with an expected tally (as of this writing) of
51 Democrats (includes 2 Independents) to 47 Republicans
2 Races are still outstanding
NEVADA SENATE RACE:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid squeaked out a victory against his Republican challenger and Tea Party candidate Sharon Angle, in a close contest that went down to the wire. Reid will likely remain Majority Leader, although that is yet to be determined by formal vote from his fellow Democrats.
ILLINOIS SENATE RACE:
Republican Congressman Mark Kirk has defeated Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, in the senate seat once held by President Barack Obama. Prior to his impeachment, controversial former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris to the seat, who will now leave Capitol Hill as the sole African-American in the senate.
FLORIDA SENATE RACE:
Republican Rick Rubio easily defeated both of his challengers, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent candidate Gov. Charlie Crist, in a race where former President Bill Clinton tried to convince Meek to drop out of the race in favor of Crist, who would have caucused with the Democrats if elected.
DELAWARE SENATE RACE:
“I am not a witch” Republican/Tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell was defeated by Democratic challenger Chris Coons for the senate seat formerly held by Vice-President Joe Biden.
ALASKA SENATE RACE:
Incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski and her Tea Party/Sarah Palin supported challenger Joe Miller fought a dirty primary campaign, with Miller winning the Republican nomination. But Murkowski launched a long shot write-in candidacy against Miller in the general election, where she was surprisingly in the lead as of late last night. A near certain recount challenge will likely mean the actual winner may not be determined for weeks, although what is known is that a Republican will retain the Alaska senate seat.
SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE:
As expected, Republican Jim DeMint beat odd Democratic candidate Alvin Greene in a landslide victory.
CALIFORNIA SENATE RACE:
Democrat Barbara Boxer defeated her popular Republican challenger, Carly Fiorina.
CONNECTICUT SENATE RACE:
Democrat Richard Blumenthal defeated his Republican challenger and pro wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, who spent roughly $150 million of her own money in a failed bid for political office.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR RACE:
Former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown will return to the Governor’s mansion in California, succeeding current Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and beating his Republican challenger and eBay founder Meg Whitman. Charges levied against Meg Whitman by a former housekeeper, who was also an illegal alien, certainly played a part in her defeat.
ARIZONA GOVERNOR RACE:
Democratic challenger Terry Goddard was defeated by controversial current Gov. Jan Brewer, who rose from Lt. Governor to Governor, once Janet Napolitano left to become Director of Homeland Security for the Obama administration.
NEW YORK GOVERNOR RACE:
Democrat Andrew Cuomo, will follow in the footsteps of his famous father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, to become the next governor of New York, beating Republican challenger Carl Paladino.
CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA INITIATIVE:
The vote to legalize marijuana in the State of California failed to pass
56% NO to 44% YES.
ECONOMIC BLAME:
35% Wall St. Bankers
29% George W. Bush
24% President Obama
