Republicans struck a powerful first blow in Kentucky in US congressional elections in their drive to control the US Senate and dramatically tip the balance of power away from President Barack Obama and his Democrats.
Obama’s low job approval rating, partisan gridlock in Washington and a US economy that is not growing broadly enough to help many in the middle class were major issues confronting voters in elections for 36 senators, 36 state governors and all 435 members of the House of Representatives.
Reuters-Ipsos projected Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell won his re-election battle, defeating Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in a race that had been extremely close until McConnell pulled away in the polls in recent days.
If Republicans go on to win the Senate, McConnell would replace Democrat Harry Reid as Senate majority leader, putting him in a powerful position on Capitol Hill.
Republicans are expected to pick up seats in the Senate, but polls ahead of the voting showed eight to 10 races are still toss-ups. They need to gain six seats to control the 100-member chamber for the first time since the 2006 election.
A key barometer for Democrats was whether they would be able to hold North Carolina, where incumbent Democratic Senator Kay Hagan was in a tough fight against Republican challenger Thom Tillis.
Obama, whose 40 percent approval rating made him unwelcome on the campaign trail for many fellow Democrats, cast the race as critical in a radio interview with Charlotte, N.C., station, the Artie and Fly Ty show.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald