Democrats gain new grip on US Senate

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WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (AFP): Democrats expanded their control of the US Senate as high voter turnout, economic woes and disdain for Republican policies fueled victories in key races Tuesday.
Democrats wrested Senate seats from Republicans in Virginia, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Colorado and New Mexico, giving them an expected 56 seats and the solid upper hand in the legislative body.
However, they were likely to fall short of a 60-seat supermajority that could have given them to power to block Republican delaying tactics and would served as a boon to Democrats with Barack Obama in the White House.
Prior to Tuesday's vote, Democrats held 49 seats in the 100-member Senate but enjoyed a relative majority thanks to the support of two independents.
Optimism ran high as Obama was announced the winner of the presidential vote and Democrats won 17 of the 35 seats up for grabs, while Republicans took 13. Five races were still undecided at 0440 GMT.
The first win of the evening went to Democrat Mark Warner in Virginia, elected to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Republican John Warner, who is no relation.