NEWSFLASH: Democrats Win Both Houses
By Alastair Thompson
In a remarkable last minute run in the count the Democrats are now headed for a victory in both the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
To recap:
The Democrats needed to win senate races in three states out of, Tennessee, Montana, Missouri and Virginia.
Just as the major US Networks ended their coverage for the night the race was still up in the air. But as of 8pm NZT the
results have swung dramatically in favour of the Democratic Party.
Virginia 99% Precincts Reporting
– Democratic Challenger Jim Webb 1,143,756
– Republican Incumbent George Allen 1,141,030
Democratic Majority 2,726
[UPDATE 10:56pm: Jim Webb's majority has widened to 7000+ votes.]
Montana 60% Precincts Reporting
– Democratic Challenger Jon Tester 119,792
– Republican Incumbent Conrad Burns 110,079
Democratic majority 9,713
[UPDATE 10:53pm: Yellowstone County the State's most populous county has ordered a recount of 70,000 votes. The results of this are due
no earlier than 7am MT (2am NZT). Meanwhile the Democratic lead in the state has shrunk to just 4000 votes. At present
the final result for the Senate seems to rest on this county.]
Missouri 85% Precincts Reporting
– Democratic Challenger Claire McCaskill 867,295
– Republican Incumbent Jim Talent 842,170
Democratic majority 25125
Tennessee 99% Precincts Reporting
– Democratic Challenger Harold Ford 872,011
– Republican Incumbent George Allen Bob Corker 921,085
Republican majority 49,074
Going into the first day after the election the Democrats are in the box seat with 51 seats in the U.S. Senates. While
it is possible that there will be a recounts in Virginia and Montana, with many of the votes cast in Virginia cast on
paperless electronic voting machines it may be difficult to do so there with any confidence of credibility.
(Scoop NEWSFLASH coverage concludes.)