Nation

Republicans retake House, make gains in Senate

The Republican Party on Tuesday rode a wave of anti-Democratic sentiment and voters’ growing frustration with President Barack Obama to regain control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 2006.

Republicans also made significant gains in the Senate, but the Democrats managed to maintain a slim majority in that chamber by holding onto hotly contested seats in West Virginia, California, Connecticut and Nevada. The Democrats’ biggest victory of the night came in Nevada, where embattled Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid survived a fierce challenge from Tea-Party backed Republican Sharron Angle to win a fifth term.

Democrats also managed to retain Vice President Joe Biden’s former Senate seat in Delaware, but Obama’s former Senate seat in Illinois fell to a Republican.

The Republicans’ takeover of the lower chamber means that House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will presumably replace House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) when the new Congress convenes in January. Pelosi has been House Speaker since 2007.

As of press time, The Washington Post reported the Republicans had claimed 225 House seats and Democrats had 150, with 60 races still undecided. The Post also had Democrats with 51 total Senate seats and the Republicans holding 46 — with three races still up in the air.

For a complete list of national election results visit: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

For a complete list of Texas election results visit: http://bit.ly/angiGM.

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