Shays Loses; Democrats Have 2-Seat House Pickup So Far
The remaining Republican House Member from New England has lost.
The Associated Press is reporting that veteran Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) will lose to former investment banker Jim Himes (D).
With just 40 percent of precincts reporting, Himes had 60 percent to Shays 39 percent. Sources said Shays has called Himes to concede.
Republicans also lost one of their best pickup opportunities in the country, as the Associated Press has just called Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.) the winner in her rematch against former Rep. Jeb Bradley (R).
With 39 percent of precincts reporting, Shea-Porter had 53 percent of the vote to Bradleys 45 percent, according to the APs results.
But in a bright spot for Republicans, scandal-plagued Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) will likely lose this seat to Pittsburgh Steelers heir Tom Rooney (R). According to the AP, Rooney led Mahoney, 61 percent to 39 percent, with 45 percent of precincts reporting.
Assuming Rooneys lead holds, the Democrats have just a two-seat pickup so far, as Reps. Ric Keller (R-Fla.) and Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) have lost.
But another veteran Republicans appears to be on the verge of losing, Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), who is trailing high school teacher Larry Kissell (D), 55 percent to 45 percent, with 54 percent of precincts reporting.
Meanwhile, in Indiana, two incumbents viewed as vulnerable have won.
Rep. Baron Hill (D) has defeated former Rep. Mike Sodrel (R) in the infamously nasty duos fourth straight electoral match-up. Sodrel conceded defeat in a statement around 9 p.m. EST.
And Rep. Mark Sounder (R) has held onto his seat in the northeastern part of the state.
As candidates watch their results come in on the east coast, polls continued to close across the country at 10 p.m. EST, in Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wisconsin.
