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Mixed results in US state polls Mixed results in US state polls
(2 days later)
The governor of the US state of Mississippi has been re-elected, apparently as a result of his handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis.The governor of the US state of Mississippi has been re-elected, apparently as a result of his handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis.
Haley Barbour, a Republican, beat Democrat John Eaves in a campaign which stressed job growth and rebuilding.Haley Barbour, a Republican, beat Democrat John Eaves in a campaign which stressed job growth and rebuilding.
Meanwhile Kentucky's scandal-hit governor Ernie Fletcher lost badly to Democratic rival Steve Beshear.Meanwhile Kentucky's scandal-hit governor Ernie Fletcher lost badly to Democratic rival Steve Beshear.
In New Jersey, voters rejected a state plan to borrow $450m over 10 years to fund controversial stem cell research.In New Jersey, voters rejected a state plan to borrow $450m over 10 years to fund controversial stem cell research.
The measure was heavily backed by the state's Democratic Governor Jon Corzine, who argued it would help find cures for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.The measure was heavily backed by the state's Democratic Governor Jon Corzine, who argued it would help find cures for conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
The plan was opposed by anti-abortion activists and the Roman Catholic Church, who said the money would be used for research that destroys human embryos.The plan was opposed by anti-abortion activists and the Roman Catholic Church, who said the money would be used for research that destroys human embryos.
It also met opposition from some voters concerned by the state's mounting budget deficit. New Jersey had already approved $270m for stem cell research facilities.
Voters' choicesVoters' choices
Voters in Utah rejected a ballot initiative on whether the state should provide assistance - in the form of school vouchers - to students going to private schools.Voters in Utah rejected a ballot initiative on whether the state should provide assistance - in the form of school vouchers - to students going to private schools.
Analysts had predicted that had the measure, the nation's first such state-wide programme, passed in Utah, other states, including Texas, Arizona and Louisiana, would follow suit.Analysts had predicted that had the measure, the nation's first such state-wide programme, passed in Utah, other states, including Texas, Arizona and Louisiana, would follow suit.
In other ballot initiatives:In other ballot initiatives:
    Voters in Oregon chose not to raise tax on cigarette sales in order to fund health insurance cover for about 100,000 children currently without it
  • Voters in Texas approved up to $3bn in bonds over 10 years to create a cancer research centre
  • Residents of Hailey, a small town in Idaho, approved three measures making medical marijuana legal, legalising industrial hemp and making enforcement of marijuana laws the lowest priority for police.
    Voters in Oregon chose not to raise tax on cigarette sales in order to fund health insurance cover for about 100,000 children currently without it
  • Voters in Texas approved up to $3bn in bonds over 10 years to create a cancer research centre
  • Residents of Hailey, a small town in Idaho, approved three measures making medical marijuana legal, legalising industrial hemp and making enforcement of marijuana laws the lowest priority for police.
In Baltimore, voters elected Democratic Mayor Sheila Dixon to the post she had held on an interim basis since January, making her the city's first elected woman mayor.In Baltimore, voters elected Democratic Mayor Sheila Dixon to the post she had held on an interim basis since January, making her the city's first elected woman mayor.
Meanwhile Democrat Michael Nutter - who ran on a promise of reducing gun violence - won a convincing victory to become Philadelphia's mayor.Meanwhile Democrat Michael Nutter - who ran on a promise of reducing gun violence - won a convincing victory to become Philadelphia's mayor.
The cities of Houston, San Francisco and Pittsburgh all re-elected their mayors.The cities of Houston, San Francisco and Pittsburgh all re-elected their mayors.
The gubernatorial and mayoral elections come in a year when much of the nation's attention is focused on the 2008 presidential race.The gubernatorial and mayoral elections come in a year when much of the nation's attention is focused on the 2008 presidential race.
Ernie Fletcher lost his seat after a first term dogged by scandalErnie Fletcher lost his seat after a first term dogged by scandal
The handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis and the reconstruction efforts since in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast continue to have an impact on the region's politics.The handling of the Hurricane Katrina crisis and the reconstruction efforts since in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast continue to have an impact on the region's politics.
Mr Barbour's Mississippi re-election campaign focused on his successful management of recovery efforts and his attempts to rebuild and bring new jobs to the Gulf Coast area.Mr Barbour's Mississippi re-election campaign focused on his successful management of recovery efforts and his attempts to rebuild and bring new jobs to the Gulf Coast area.
Louisiana's Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco chose not to stand for re-election in last month's state ballot, following wide criticism of her leadership over Katrina.Louisiana's Democratic Governor Kathleen Blanco chose not to stand for re-election in last month's state ballot, following wide criticism of her leadership over Katrina.
The post went to Republican Bobby Jindal, who became the first Indian-American to head a state.The post went to Republican Bobby Jindal, who became the first Indian-American to head a state.
In Kentucky, Mr Fletcher's re-election chances were hit by accusations during his first term that he illegally awarded protected state jobs to political allies.In Kentucky, Mr Fletcher's re-election chances were hit by accusations during his first term that he illegally awarded protected state jobs to political allies.
He was indicted but the charges were eventually dismissed in a deal with prosecutors.He was indicted but the charges were eventually dismissed in a deal with prosecutors.