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Takeover: Republicans surge to control of Senate

WASHINGTON — Riding a powerful wave of voter discontent, resurgent Republicans captured control of the Senate and tightened their grip on the House today (Nov 5) in elections certain to complicate President Barack Obama’s final two years in office.

Cory Gardner, centre, Republican candidate for the US Senate seat in Colorado, joins supporters in waving placards on the corner of a major intersection in south Denver suburb of Centennial, Colorado, early on Tuesday, Nov  4, 2014. Gardner is facing Democratic incumbent Senator Mark Udall in a pitched battle for the seat. Photo: AP

Cory Gardner, centre, Republican candidate for the US Senate seat in Colorado, joins supporters in waving placards on the corner of a major intersection in south Denver suburb of Centennial, Colorado, early on Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014. Gardner is facing Democratic incumbent Senator Mark Udall in a pitched battle for the seat. Photo: AP

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WASHINGTON — Riding a powerful wave of voter discontent, resurgent Republicans captured control of the Senate and tightened their grip on the House today (Nov 5) in elections certain to complicate President Barack Obama’s final two years in office.

The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, dispatched Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky after a $78 million (S$100.6 million) campaign of unrelieved negativity. Voters are “hungry for new leadership. They want a reason to be hopeful,” said the man in line to become majority leader and set the Senate agenda if his party gains control.

Two-term incumbent Mark Pryor of Arkansas was the first Democrat to fall, defeated by freshman Representative Tom Cotton. Senator Mark Udall of Colorado was next, defeated by Representative Cory Gardner. Senator Kay Hagan also lost, in North Carolina, to Thom Tilllis, the speaker of the state House.

Republicans also picked up seats in West Virginia, South Dakota and Montana, where Democrats retired. They needed a net gain of six seats in all to end a Democratic majority in place since 2006.

With dozens of House races uncalled, Republicans had picked up nine seats in Democratic hands, and given up only one. AP

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