GOP Holds The Senate (Barely)
On an extraordinary evening, Nov. 7, the Democrats captured four Republican Senate seats.
Several weeks later, they captured a fifth, when Democrat Maria Cantwell prevailed in her challenge to GOP incumbent Slade Gorton in Washington state, thereby deadlocking the Senate at 50-50.
But, as a result of a loss to the GOP Virginia, it won't be enough to make Tom Daschle, D-S.D., the majority leader. All told, a tidy, four-seat pickup for the Democrats.
With Vice President-elect Dick Cheney as the tiebreaking vote, Republicans will technically control the Senate anyway.
Expanded Political Coverage From CBSNews.com:
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The GOP began Election Day with a 54-46 majority, but had 19 seats up for grabs compared to Democrats' 15.
In Michigan, Democratic Rep. Debbie Stabenow overcame a huge cash disadvantage and a double-digit deficit to beat Republican Sen. Spencer Abraham, who conceded the closely watched race Wednesday morning, Nov. 8.
Senate races in Nebraska, Montana and Missouri also went into the early morning Nov. 8 before a winner emerged.
Democrat Ben Nelson won a tightly contested Senate race in Nebraska, and Republican Conrad Burns has hung on to his Montana Senate seat.
The late Mel Carnahan defeated incumbent Republican Sen. John Ashcroft in Missouri. Carnahan's widow, Jean, has moved into the Senate, saying "I'm here because I lost."
Republican John Ensign won in Nevada, grabbing a seat being vacated by Democrat Richard Bryan, and Republican George Allen defeated incumbent Sen. Chuck Robb in Virginia, squashing Democrats' hopes of regaining control.
But Democrats did score some big wins:
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton won in New York, defeating Rep. Rick Lazio 55-43 percent to win the seat held by Daniel Patrick Moynihan in one of the most expensive Senate races ever.
"I promise you tonight that I will reach across party lines to bring progress for all of New York's families," Mrs. Clinton told supporters in her victory speech. "Today, we voted as Democrats and Republicans. Tomorrow, we begin again as New Yorkers."
In New Jersey, Democrat Jon Corzine, who spent $60 million on his campaign, won the seat previously held by Democrat Frank Lautenberg.
The Democrats also picked up seats now held by the GOP in Delaware, where Democrat Thomas Carper defeated incumbent Sen. William Roth; in Florida, as Democrat Bill Nelson won the seat currently that Republican Connie Mack is vacating; and in Minnesota, where Democrat Mark Dayton beat incumbent Republican Rod Grams.
Elsewhere, the following incumbents won: Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii; Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M.; Richard Byrd, D-W.V.; Lincoln Chaffee , R-R.I.; Kurt Conrad, D-N.D.; Mike Dewine, R-Ohio; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Bill Frist, R-Tenn.; Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; Jim Jeffords, R-Vt.; Edward Kennedy, D.-Mass.; Herb Kohl, D-Wis.; John Kyl, R-Ariz.; Lieberman, D-Conn.; Trent Lott, R.-Miss.; Richard Lugar, R-Ind.; Zell Miller, D-Ga.; Rick Santorum, R-Pa.; Paul Sarbanes, D-Md.; Olympia Snowe, R-Maine; and Craig Thomas, R-Wyo.
Senate leaders reacted to the projected changes in the balance of power.
"Democratic power was enhanced tonight without question," Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said in an interview.
"The Senate is never easy," conceded Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.
While Democrats and Republicans more or less split the field, women won big. With Clinton, Cantwell, and Stabenow's victories, and Jean Carnahan's appointment, four women will join the nine already in the Senate, swelling their ranks to 13.