Washington Beat: Election Fails To Alter Hill's Power Balance
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Democrats will keep control of the U.S. Senate and Republicans will retain control of the House, but there were a number of closely watched Congressional races across the country. NY1's Erin Billups filed the following report.Democrat Elizabeth Warren beat incumbent Senator Scott Brown in a hard fought race for a historically blue seat. It was just one of several races garnering national attention this election cycle.
Two races, one in Indiana the other in Missouri, broke new ground as favored Republican senate candidates lost races shunned for anti-abortion comments made during their campaigns: Todd Akin in Missouri and Republican Richard Mourdock, who unseated incumbent Senate Republican Richard Lugar in a primary, only to lose to Democrat Joe Donnelly.
In the end, Democrats retained control of the Senate and Republicans held onto the House easily. However, Democrats had a net gain of one seat in New York with several incumbents losing their re-election bids.
Another Tea Party Republican Ann Marie Buerkle was unseated as well, in a rematch race against former congressman, Democrat Dan Maffei.
Buerkle is promising a recount.
Democrat incumbent Kathy Hochul also lost her race in a conservative Western New York district to Republican Chris Collins.
Down on Long Island, Democrat Tim Bishop was able to eke out another victory against opponent Randy Altschuler.
While Washington will look very much the same today as it did before election day there will now be a bunch of new faces.