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Republicans win key US elections Republicans win key US elections
(41 minutes later)
Republicans have scored victories in two key US elections for governor, a year after Barack Obama was voted in as president.Republicans have scored victories in two key US elections for governor, a year after Barack Obama was voted in as president.
In Virginia, Republican candidate Bob McDonnell won by a comfortable margin, while another, Chris Christie, ousted the Democrat governor in New Jersey. In Virginia Republican candidate Bob McDonnell won by a comfortable margin, while another, Chris Christie, ousted the Democrat governor in New Jersey.
In New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg narrowly won a third term over Democrat challenger Bill Thompson.In New York, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg narrowly won a third term over Democrat challenger Bill Thompson.
Congressional seats are also up for grabs in New York and California.Congressional seats are also up for grabs in New York and California.
While local issues have been paramount in these races, analysts say a win could boost party morale ahead of 2010 mid-term ballots. Correspondents say the defeats are a setback for Mr Obama - who had campaigned in New Jersey and Virginia for his party's candidates - as he battles to reform healthcare, pass a climate change bill and rally support for his handling of the war in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile in Maine, voters in a referendum rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
The law was put on hold when conservatives launched a petition to repeal it in a referendum.
'Sting' for Democrats
In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine had fought a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.
ANALYSIS Richard Lister, BBC News, WashingtonANALYSIS Richard Lister, BBC News, Washington
Republicans are portraying these victories as an indictment of President Obama's first 10 months in office.Republicans are portraying these victories as an indictment of President Obama's first 10 months in office.
The party's national chairman, Michael Steele, said the elections sent a clear signal that voters have had enough of what he called the "president's liberal agenda".The party's national chairman, Michael Steele, said the elections sent a clear signal that voters have had enough of what he called the "president's liberal agenda".
Exit polls suggests most voters were more focussed on local issues than President Obama, but the polling also suggests overwhelming concern about the state of the American economy, a situation which traditionally causes problems for the party in power.Exit polls suggests most voters were more focussed on local issues than President Obama, but the polling also suggests overwhelming concern about the state of the American economy, a situation which traditionally causes problems for the party in power.
Turnout was far lower than in the presidential election, despite Mr Obama's campaign appearances in both states, and in another shift from a year ago, independent voters appear to have swung behind the Republican candidates this time.Turnout was far lower than in the presidential election, despite Mr Obama's campaign appearances in both states, and in another shift from a year ago, independent voters appear to have swung behind the Republican candidates this time.
With most of the votes counted, Mr Christie was ahead with about 50% of the vote when Mr Corzine conceded defeat. Republicans said the momentum was now behind them ahead of next year's crucial mid-term elections.
While local issues have been paramount in these races, analysts say a win could boost party morale ahead of 2010 mid-term ballots.
Meanwhile in Maine, voters in a referendum rejected a same-sex marriage law passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
The law was put on hold when conservatives launched a petition to repeal it in a referendum.
In New Jersey, the incumbent Democratic Governor Jon Corzine had fought a bitter campaign against his Republican rival Chris Christie, not only attacking him over his ties to former President George W Bush and his views on abortion and healthcare, but also poking fun at his weight.
With most votes counted, Mr Christie was ahead with about 50% of the vote when Mr Corzine conceded defeat.
He pledged to work with Mr Christie to ensure a smooth transition.He pledged to work with Mr Christie to ensure a smooth transition.
Correspondents say a defeat in New Jersey is a sting for the Democrats, especially after Mr Obama threw his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail. Mr Obama had thrown his weight behind Governor Corzine, repeatedly travelling to New Jersey to back the former Goldman Sachs chief executive on the campaign trail.
However, President Obama's former campaign manager, David Plouffe, warned against reading too much into Tuesday's contests. 'Warning shot'
"The results of these elections tend to be over-read," he told the NBC network's Today programme. "These are local races. There's 18,000 lifetimes between now and next November." But Democrats played down Tuesday's gubernatorial defeats.
Republican split "These races turned on local and state issues... and despite what some will certainly claim - the results are not predictive of the future or reflective of the national mood," said Democratic Party chairman Tim Kaine.
In Virginia, Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds phoned Mr McDonnell, a former attorney general, to congratulate him. With about 80% of votes counted, the Republican was leading with about 60%.
Only last year President Obama became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964, although its last two governors have been democrats.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Obama is in that tricky post-euphoria, pre-delivery phase - it's even trickier if people feel deliverance never comes BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full In pictures: US electionsMARDELL'S AMERICA Obama is in that tricky post-euphoria, pre-delivery phase - it's even trickier if people feel deliverance never comes BBC North America editor Mark Mardell Read Mark's thoughts in full In pictures: US elections
However, the Republicans said it was a "warning shot" to the White House.
"[Voters] are tired of the spending, tired of the waste and tired of the over-reach they see coming out of Washington," said House deputy leader Eric Cantor.
In Virginia, Democratic party candidate Creigh Deeds phoned Mr McDonnell, a former attorney general, to congratulate him. With most votes counted, the Republican was leading with about 60%.
Only last year President Obama became the first Democratic candidate to carry the state since 1964, although its last two governors have been Democrats.
But independent voters who supported the president in the 2008 election switched their support to the Republican party candidate in this race.But independent voters who supported the president in the 2008 election switched their support to the Republican party candidate in this race.
In other results:In other results:
  • Democrat Bill Owens won the House of Representatives seat for New York state's 23rd congressional district, defeating Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
  • In New York city, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg narrowly secured a third term. With 96% of votes in, Mr Bloomberg was ahead of Democratic challenger Bill Thompson by 50.5% to 46.2%.
  • California Lt Gov John Garamendi looked on course to win a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands. He was leading his nearest rival, Republican David Harmer, by 57% to 38%.
  • In Atlanta, councillor Mary Norwood and Georgia Senator Kasim Reed were headed for a December run-off for the post of mayor after neither received more than half the votes cast.
  • Democrat Bill Owens won the House of Representatives seat for New York state's 23rd congressional district, defeating Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman.
  • In New York city, independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg won a surprisingly tight race to secure a third term. With 96% of votes in, Mr Bloomberg was ahead of Democratic challenger Bill Thompson by 50.5% to 46.2%.
  • California Lt Gov John Garamendi won a special election to a Northern California congressional seat, keeping the district in Democratic hands.
  • In Atlanta, councillor Mary Norwood and Georgia Senator Kasim Reed were headed for a December run-off for the post of mayor after neither received more than half the votes cast.
Mayoral elections are also being held in Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.Mayoral elections are also being held in Houston, Boston, Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Whatever the results of Tuesday's elections, they will be pored over by the party faithful for clues as to how their candidates may fare in the crucial 2010 mid-term elections, correspondents say. Tuesday's results are being pored over for clues as to how the two main parties will fare in the 2010 mid-terms.
Next year, the entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors' posts will be up for grabs. Next year, the entire House of Representatives, about a third of the Senate and two-thirds of governors' posts will face the vote.
Did you vote in any of the elections on Tuesday? What do you think of the election results? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? Send us your comments using the form below.Did you vote in any of the elections on Tuesday? What do you think of the election results? How important are they for Republicans and Democrats? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions