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| Democrats seize control of House | Democrats seize control of House |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives in mid-term polls, for the first time in 12 years. | Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives in mid-term polls, for the first time in 12 years. |
| The party surpassed the 15 extra seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans, but the Senate race remains too close to call. | The party surpassed the 15 extra seats needed to wrest power from the Republicans, but the Senate race remains too close to call. |
| Democratic hopes of taking the Senate hinge on Montana and Virginia, but Virginia is facing a likely recount. | Democratic hopes of taking the Senate hinge on Montana and Virginia, but Virginia is facing a likely recount. |
| Correspondents say Democratic gains reflect voter discontent over Iraq, government corruption and the economy. | Correspondents say Democratic gains reflect voter discontent over Iraq, government corruption and the economy. |
| The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Washington says the results have changed the political landscape in the US, and the last two years of the Bush presidency will be very different from those before. | |
| With projected results still coming through, the Democrats had gained 27 House seats from the Republicans. | With projected results still coming through, the Democrats had gained 27 House seats from the Republicans. |
| SENATE RACES Republican Conrad Burns (l) and Democrat Jon Tester are awaiting results in Montana DEMOCRAT GAINS: McCaskill takes Missouri Casey gains PennsylvaniaBrown gains OhioWhitehouse gains Rhode IslandRESULTS TO COME: MontanaVirginia Senate control in balance Mid-terms Q&A In quotes: Results | |
| Democrats also won four of six target Senate seats - and are leading in Montana and Virginia in races too close to call. | Democrats also won four of six target Senate seats - and are leading in Montana and Virginia in races too close to call. |
| President George W Bush has telephoned several top Congressional Democrats to offer his congratulations. | President George W Bush has telephoned several top Congressional Democrats to offer his congratulations. |
| Mr Bush has scheduled a news conference for 1800 GMT - in which correspondents say he will give the first clue on whether he intends to compromise with his newly powerful opponents or fight. | Mr Bush has scheduled a news conference for 1800 GMT - in which correspondents say he will give the first clue on whether he intends to compromise with his newly powerful opponents or fight. |
| House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - poised to become the chamber's first female Speaker - spoke of the need for a new direction in Iraq. | House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi - poised to become the chamber's first female Speaker - spoke of the need for a new direction in Iraq. |
| "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path," she said. | "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path," she said. |
| In key results: | In key results: |
| Sometimes presidents have performed best with an opposing Congress Alan, Chicago Send us your comments Reporters' blog: Live updates US media assess results Analysts say control of the House will allow Democrats to choose to launch inquiries into the handling of Iraq, and could lead to significant changes on domestic issues like taxation and health care. | |
| href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6124168.stm" class="">In pictures: US mid-terms href="/1/hi/world/americas/6107062.stm" class="">Profile: Nancy Pelosi | |
| High turnout | High turnout |
| Voters were also choosing governors in 36 states. | Voters were also choosing governors in 36 states. |
| ELECTION LANDMARKS First female House speaker: Nancy PelosiFirst Muslim congressman: Keith EllisonFirst socialist senator: Bernie Sanders First black northern governor: Deval Patrick in MassachusettsLongest serving Senate member: Democrat Robert Byrd, 88, of West Virginia First Muslim congressman Winners and losers Democrat Deval Patrick is set to become the first black governor of Massachusetts, while Arnold Schwarzenegger has won a second term as California governor. | ELECTION LANDMARKS First female House speaker: Nancy PelosiFirst Muslim congressman: Keith EllisonFirst socialist senator: Bernie Sanders First black northern governor: Deval Patrick in MassachusettsLongest serving Senate member: Democrat Robert Byrd, 88, of West Virginia First Muslim congressman Winners and losers Democrat Deval Patrick is set to become the first black governor of Massachusetts, while Arnold Schwarzenegger has won a second term as California governor. |
| And in one of a series of state referendums, voters in South Dakota have overturned a near-total ban on abortions passed by the state legislature earlier this year. | And in one of a series of state referendums, voters in South Dakota have overturned a near-total ban on abortions passed by the state legislature earlier this year. |
| A high turnout was reported in Tuesday's vote. | A high turnout was reported in Tuesday's vote. |
| In Virginia, election officials told ABC News the FBI was investigating claims of voter intimidation. | In Virginia, election officials told ABC News the FBI was investigating claims of voter intimidation. |