Voice of America, November 6, 2002

Republican candidates have scored key victories in U.S. elections to take control of both houses of Congress.

The results are a major victory for President Bush, who used his strong popularity to campaign hard across the nation on behalf of Republicans. The White House spokesman called the gains historic, because the president's party usually loses seats in a midterm election.

Republicans now hold 51 seats in the Senate to 46 for Democrats, with two contests still undecided. The latest Republican victory came in Minnesota, where Norm Coleman edged out former vice president Walter Mondale.

In the House, Republicans have so far won 226 seats. The results are expected help President Bush push through his legislative priorities, including creating a Department of Homeland Security, providing further tax cuts and getting his judicial nominees approved. In governor's races, Republicans hold 25 of the United States' 50 governorships. Democrats have 19, while six races are still undecided. In a major race, Jeb Bush, the brother of President Bush, has been elected to a second term as Florida's governor.

Republicans also won another big governor's race in Texas, while California's Democratic Governor Gray Davis won an unexpectedly tight race against Republican Bill Simon. And in a major upset for the Democratic party, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend lost to Republican Robert Ehrlich. It is the first time in decades that a Democrat will not be in the executive mansion in Maryland.