1:06 a.m.—Murkowski takes early lead
Fox News is reporting that write-in candidate Lisa Murkowski has taken an early lead in the Alaska senate race. She’s facing Republican Joe Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams.
1:03 a.m.—DNC chair Tim Kaine speaks
“With the two houses of Congress now divided between Democrats and Republicans, it is incumbent upon both parties to take responsibility for governing so we can move the nation forward,” Tim Kaine said in a statement late Tuesday night.
12:56 a.m.—Obama congratulates Boehner
Obama calls Boehner Tuesday night
According to a White House statement, “The President tonight called and talked to Reps. Pelosi, Boehner and Hoyer, and Senator McConnell. In his calls with Rep. Boehner and Sen. McConnell, the President said he was ‘looking forward to working with him and the Republicans to find common ground, move the country forward and get things done for the American people.'”
12:56 a.m.—Bigger than ’94
At this point the GOP has a net gain of +55 in the House, which exceeds the 54 seats won by Republicans in 1994.
12:50 a.m. —Harry Reid wins
Democratic Sen. Harry Reid has won the Nevada Senate contest, fending off a challenge from GOPer Sharron Angle.
12:44 a.m.— Close in Colorado, Florida
We’re anxiously awaiting the results of the Colorado Senate race, where Republican Ken Buck is slightly leading Democrat Sen. Michael Bennett with almost 50 percent of the votes in. Also, in Florida, Republican Rick Scott is barely leading Democrat Alex Sink.
Other competitive Senate races we’re keeping an eye on are in Washington State and Alaska.
12: 33 a.m. – Real World win for Duffy.
Wisconsin Republican Sean Duffy, a former house guest on MTV’s Real World, defeated his opponent to fill retiring Democratic Dave Obey’s seat.
12:18 a.m. – President Obama’s old senate seat goes to Republican.
Illinois voters have elected Republican Mark Kirk over Alexi Giannoulias for President Obama’s former Senate seat, the AP reports.
12:13 a.m. – Rory Reid goes down in Nevada.
Harry Reid’s son, Rory, suffers decided loss in Nevada gubernatorial race.
Will his father follow suit? No news yet…
12:11 a.m. – “You have not heard the last of Carl Paladino”.
What a relief.
From Paladino earlier tonight after losing New York’s gubernatorial race: “I have a message for Andrew Cuomo. I said my baseball bat is a metaphor for the people that want to take the government back. As our next governor, you can grab this handle and bring the people with you to Albany, or you can leave it untouched and run the risk of having it wielded against you. Because make no mistake: you have not heard the last of Carl Paladino.”
12:05 a.m. – GOP’s sensitive Boehner
House Minority Leader John Boehner, who is widely expected to become the next Speaker of the House, announced late Tuesday night that it is not a time to celebrate, even though Republicans took the House of Representatives in the midterm election.
“We’ve got real work to do and, frankly, this is not a time for celebration,” said a teary-eyed Boehner. “Not when one in 10 of our fellow citizens is out of work. Not when we’ve buried our apron under a mountain of debt and not when our Congress is held in such low esteem.”
Boehner praised citizens in the Tea Party movement in his remarks too.
“Across the country right now, we’re readily witnessing a repudiation of Washington, a repudiation of big government and a repudiation of politicians who refuse to listen to the American people,” Boehner said.
12:00 a.m. – Most polls in Alaska close (finally).
11:57 p.m. – Races now called in PA, OH.
Republicans picked up another gubernatorial seat in the Midwest. Republican John Kasich defeated Ohio Democrat Ted Strickland, Fox News is reporting.
The AP also declared Republican Pat Toomey the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania. He battled Democrat Rep. Joe Sestak.
11:54 p.m. – More flips to GOP.
In New Mexico’s 2nd district, former Republican Rep. Steve Pearce has defeated the Democrat incumbent Harry Teague. Teague defeated Pearce in 2008.
In Colorado’s 4th district, Republican Cory Gardner has defeated incumbent Democrat Betsy Markey.
In New Hampshire’s 2nd district, former Rep. Charlie Bass has defeated Democrat Ann Kuster, completing the GOP sweep of the Granite State.
In New Jersey’s 3rd district, Republican Jon Runyan, a former NFL player, has defeated incumbent Democrat John Adler.
11:49 p.m.- Crier of the House.
Yes, John Boehner was just crying on national television. Of course, he’ll likely be the next Speaker of the House now.
11:42 p.m. – Prop. 19 sinks to defeat.
California’s ballot initiative, Prop 19, is projected to be voted down. The measure would have legalized the possession of marijuana.
11:38 p.m. – Paladino: still angry.
Paladino, the Republican candidate for New York governor, conceded. “I’m humbled,” he said, and then went on to attack the government for “spending like drunken sailors.”
11:34 p.m. – Brent Bozell:”The sleeping giant has awoken”
“This was just the dress rehearsal; a mere warm-up. The Big Dance is in two years. Look out, Washington Establishment. The Sleeping Giant has awoken and if you thought this was rough, just wait until 2012.”
11:31 p.m. – Blue Dogs Going Down.
Mississippi Rep. Gene Taylor, a longtime Blue Dog Democrat, has lost to his Republican challenger, Stephen Palazzo.
Another Blue Dog Democrat, Rep. Bobby Bright of Alabama, is losing to GOP challenger Martha Roby by just 8 votes with 85 percent of the precincts reported. Mississippi.
11:30 p.m. –Rep. Tom Perriello officially concedes, despite Obama visits.
From Perriello:
“I congratulate Senator Hurt and, along with my team, will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition. It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of the 5th district and I am so proud of the work we’ve done. Real change is not something that is measured in a year or two; I believe that our actions will ripple out for years to come. The best kind of politics is one that puts a sense of problem-solving ahead of political points, and I’m proud to have tackled the tough problems of our community and nation. We faced the brink of a depression and turned that around into nine straight months of private-sector job growth. I’ll continue to find ways to serve my community and my country with anyone from any party or organization who is serious about rebuilding the middle-class and the next great American decade.”
11:28 p.m. – West wins.
Allen West in Florida is the second black Republican of the night to win a House seat, following Tim Scott’s win in South Carolina. West, a former lieutenant colonel in the army, defeated Democratic Rep. Ron Klein.
11:18 p.m. – Former Senatorial candidate Alvin Greene talks to TheDC.
Though Senator Jim DeMint is projected to have won reelection by a long shot by the major news networks, Democratic challenger Alvin Greene has yet to give up hope on ballots that haven’t been counted yet.
“I don’t know,” Greene said in a phone interview with The Daily Caller. “They aren’t all in yet.”
Greene has also told TheDC he is mulling a possible run against Republican Lindsey Graham in 2014.
“I would have run against Graham three years ago if I wasn’t in the military,” Greene said. For a potential 2014 candidacy, Greene said, “I have to see where my priorities are.”
11:16 p.m. – More Democratic defeats.
In Kansas’s 3rd district, a suburban district just west of Kansas City, Missouri, Republican Kevin Yoder has defeated Democrat Stephene Moore, the wife of longtime Democrat incumbent Dennis Moore.
And Republican Mike Keown has defeated nine-term Democrat incumbent Sanford Bishop in Georgia’s 2nd district.
11:07 p.m. – GOP women lose in CA.
In California, both millionaire GOP women Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman lost their respective races, Fox News says. Fiorina failed to defeat Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer for the state’s U.S. Senate seat. Whitman was beat by Jerry Brown for governor.
Also, it appears the GOP House caucus will include at least one African-American. Tim Scott has won a house seat in South Carolina. We’re still waiting on the results of other black Republican candidates, especially Allen West who is challenging Democratic Ron Klein in Florida.
11:02 p.m.- Wondering what’s going on in Nevada Senate race? We were too…
According to CQ Politics, a power outage in Nevada may delay election results between Republican Sharron Angle and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
10:54 p.m. – Dem. Rep Spratt loses in SC.
South Carolina Republican Mick Mulvaney has defeated Democrat Rep. John Spratt.
10:50 p.m. – Alvin Greene takes to Twitter…
After losing to Republican Jim DeMint, Greene lets out his frustration on Twitter.
@greeneforsenate: “RECOUNT” and “NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Ok, so it’s probably not the real Alvin Greene, but funny nonetheless.
10:47 p.m. –More Pennsylvania results.
Some updates from Pennsylvania: In PA’s 3rd district, Republican Mike Kelly has defeated Democratic incumbent Kathy Dahlkemper. In the 10th district, Republican Thomas Marino has defeated Democratic incumbent Christopher Carney. And in the 7th district, Republican Patrick Meehan has defeated Democrat Bryan Lentz. So far tonight, Republicans have picked up 4 House seats in the Keystone State. They are poised to pick up some more.
10:45 p.m. – Results in for SC Gov, WI Sen.
South Carolina Republican Nikki Haley has narrowly defeated Democrat Vincent Sheheen in the state’s gubernatorial race.
Also, in Wisconsin, Republicans have picked up another Democratic senate seat. Ron Johnson has defeated Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.
10:37 p.m. – Va Rep. Jim Moran refuses to take concession call from Republican challenger Patrick Murray.
From the Murray campaign:
“Following a hard fought, honorable race that has garnered national attention due to Jim Moran’s anti-military statements and positions, challenger Patrick Murray (R, VA-08) graciously attempted to concede victory after reviewing early returns from the Virginia Secretary of State. Regrettably, Congressman Moran twice refused the call; leaving either a staffer or family member to explain that Moran had ‘Already gone downstairs.’ No preferable time to concede was offered. All subsequent attempts to reconnect have been ignored.
Sadly, we remain non-plussed by Mr. Moran’s rampant disrespect for constituents and those who seek to challenge his misguided policy positions. Colonel Patrick Murray retired and settled in Northern Virginia this past year; but his presence and involvement will not fade away. Principled Republicans remain committed to exposing Mr. Moran’s deficiencies in character, and will eagerly anticipate campaigning for Virginia’s Eighth Seat in the United States House of Representatives.”
10:28 p.m. – Republican takes Bart’s Stupak seat in Michigan.
Republican Dan Benishek has won the U.S. House seat of retiring Democrat Bart Stupak in Michigan’s first district. Stupak, a pro-life Democrat, became the target of conservatives by voting for President Obama’s health-care bill. He later dropped out of the race. Benishek is a doctor and first time candidate.
10:26 p.m. – GOP House gains in MD, OH.
Republican Andy Harris defeats first-term incumbent Democrat Frank Kratovil in Maryland’s 1st district. Republican Bob Gibbs defeats two-term Democratic incumbent Zack Space in Ohio’s 18th district.
10:24 p.m. – Pennsylvania and Alabama House goes GOP.
Five state legislature bodies have now changed from Democrat to Republican control as the GOP has won a majority in both the Pennsylvania and Alabama state House chambers.
The New Hampshire state Senate, the Indiana state House and the North Carolina state Senate have also been flipped to GOP control tonight.
10:23 p.m. – Colorado Governor’s race called.
Democratic Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has won his bid for Governor of Colorado, defeating third-party candidate Tom Tancredo and Republican Dan Maes.
10:18 p.m. – Dick is depressed.
Former GOP leader Dick Armey just said on a FreedomWorks webcast that he’s very distressed over the Pennsylvania Senate race, where returns show Republican Pat Toomey trailing Democrat Joe Sestak. Armey, whose FreedomWorks has been a major force in the Tea Party movement, said a Toomey loss would be “tragic” for the country and would take “the joy out of the evening for me.”
10:13 p.m. – Dem establishment loses in PA
Democratic Rep. Paul Kanjorski lost to his Republican challenger in Pennsylvania. Kanjorski held the seat for 26 years.
10:08 p.m. – GOP victories in AZ, MO Senate races
In Arizona, Sen. John McCain won his bid for re-election. In Missouri, Republican Roy Blunt defeated Democrat Robin Carnahan.
10:05 p.m. – Oh yeah, polls in Nevada, Arizona, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and parts North Dakota and Idaho closed at 10.
10:02 p.m. – Christine O’Donnell speaks.
Tea Party darling Christine O’Donnell even took a non-establishment, untraditional approach in her campaign’s concession speech, saying, on stage that “we had an incredible victory. Be encouraged. We have won,” before later explaining that she meant her candidacy was a victory for the Delaware political process.
9:59 p.m. – Deval Patrick manages to win in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, Democratic Governor Deval Patrick has won his bid for re-election with 49 percent. He lost to Republican challenger Charlie Baker who came in with 41 percent, and Independent Tim Cahill.
9:55 p.m. – More GOP gains.
Texas Rep. Chet Edwards has lost to his Republican challenger, Bill Flores.
And Republican Stephen Fincher defeats Democrat Roy Herron in Tennessee’s 8th district.
9:50 p.m. – Another decisive Republican victory.
Republican Scott DesJarlais has defeated Democratic incumbent Lincoln Davis in Tennessee’s 4th district.
9:41 p.m. – Rubio’s victory speech: this is Republicans’ “second chance”.
Florida’s Senator-elect, Republican Marco Rubio, vowed to push not just Democrats but also his own party in offering a “clear, genuine alternative” to rampant deficits and a ever-large government.
“Our nation is headed in the wrong direction,” Rubio said, “and both parties are to blame.”
Rubio said the election will offer Republicans a “second chance” to reclaim the conservative mantle.
In his speech, Rubio also sought to introduce himself to the public, explaining his Cuban heritage and why he views America as the best nation in history.
“No matter where I go, or what title I may achieve, I will always be the son of exiles,” Rubio said.
9:40 p.m. – Republican gain in Texas
Republican Bill Flores has defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Chet Edwards in Texas’s 17th district.
9: 32 p.m. – Republican Rick Perry won re-election in Texas gubernatorial race.
9:30 p.m. – Frank, Vitter hold on to seats, Republican gain in Florida’s 2nd.
In Massachusetts, Democrat Rep. Barney Frank has defeated Republican challenger Sean Beilat. This is Frank’s 16th term.
Louisiana Senator David Vitter also won easily.
And in Florida’s 2nd, Republican Steve Southerland defeated Democrat incumbent Alan Boyd.
9:17 p.m. – Conway concedes
In his concession speech, Conway blasted “outside money” as part of the reason he lost, vowing to “do something” to reform campaign finance spending to overcome “that awful [Supreme Court] decision, Citizens United.” Conway said he was outspent 5-1 when it came to outside money.
He also thanked former President Bill Clinton for coming twice to Kentucky to campaign for him.
“We’re gonna dust ourselves off and we’re gonna keep fighting for the causes we believe in,” Conway said.
9:15 p.m. – GOP gains in New Hampshire, Tennessee
Republican Frank Guinta defeats Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire’s 1st district.
In Tennessee’s 6th district, Republican Diane Black defeats Brett Carter in
9:13 p.m. Fox predicts major House GOP gain
Fox News just projected a Republican gain of 60 seats in the House by the end of the night.
9:11 p.m. – Rand Paul gives victory speech.
Paul: “We have come to take our government back. Tonight, there’s a tea party tidal wave and we’re sending a message to them.”
9:05 p.m. – First flip on state level.
The first Democratic held state legislative chamber has flipped tonight in Indiana, as Republicans have now won control of the state’s House of Representatives.
9:04 p.m. – Democrats hold on in New York, Republicans win in North Dakota, South Dakota
Networks are projecting a win for incumbent Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirstin Gillibrand, both Democrats, in New York. This is Schumer’s third term. Gillibrand was elected after being appointed when Hillary Clinton joined Obama’s cabinet.
And for Governor, Andrew Cuomo has defeated Republican Carl Paladino.
In North Dakota, Republican John Hoeven has won his bid for Senate. And in North Dakota, Sen. John Thune has officially been declared the winner. He ran unopposed.
9:00 p.m. – Next wave of polls closing.
Polls are now closed in Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Watch for whether Tea Party backed Republican Ken Buck is able to defeat Democrat Sen. Michael Bennett in Colorado and Ron Johnson is able to defeat Sen. Russ Feingold in Wisconsin.
8: 42 p.m. – Manchin victory in West Virginia
A blow to Republicans hoping to win the majority in the Senate, Democratic West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin has defeated Republican John Raese for the late Robert Byrd’s Senate seat. The quest to win 10 seats–and therefore the majority–for Republicans “just got really hard,” Fox News’ Bret Baier said.
8:37 p.m. –Results in Connecticut, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida
Democrat Dick Blumenthal defeated GOPer and former WWE CEO Linda McMahon in Connecticut. Sen. Robert Menendez, the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said in a statement that Blumenthal “earned a decisive victory tonight in Connecticut despite being vastly outspent.”
Republican Sen. Richard Burr also won re-election to the Senate in North Carolina.
Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello, a freshman Democrat who voted for President Obama’s health-care bill, lost to Republican Robert Hurt.
And another Democratic congressman lost his seat in Virginia. Democrat Rep. Rick Bouche lost to Republican Morgan Griffith.
In Florida, Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson loses big.
8:30 p.m.—Polls in Arkansas are now closed.
Democrat Senator Blanche Lincoln expected to lose her bid for re-election.
John Boozman is the second Republican gain of the night.
8:26 p.m.— First House flip of the night.
The first Republican defeats a sitting Democratic House member, as Republican Sandy Adams defeats Democratic Rep. Suzanne M. Kosmas in Florida.
However, in Delaware, the seat held by former Republican Rep. Mike Castle was won by Democrat John Carney, who beat GOP candidate Glen Urquhart.
8: 24 p.m. – Trouble in Connecticut?
Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon is calling foul play and her campaign has released a photo of an unlocked ballot box at one of the state’s polls.
“I still think there are a lot of issues to investigate surrounding it,” Shawn McCoy, McMahon’s spokesperson, said, who didn’t have any more details regarding where the photo was taken, who took it or if the campaign expects more unlocked ballot boxes around the state.
8:22 p.m. – Sen. John Cornyn not optimistic for GOP takeover in Senate.
Senator John Cornyn, Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, says that he doesn’t think Republicans are going to win a majority in the Senate tonight.
“I would love to tell you that we are going to take the majority, but I actually don’t believe that.”
Cornyn projected that Republicans would win the Senate in 2012, and that they would still have significant influence in the Senate even without a majority.
8:14 p.m. – DeMint: “We’re beginning the process of rediscovering the Republican Party.”
In Greenville, S.C., Jim DeMint, so influential in today’s election, tells a full room of supporters — including Tea Party voters — “I can almost feel the ground shaking, because there is an earthquake election going on across the country.” South Carolina State Election Commission has yet to report any votes counted (could become available by 8:15 p.m.), but DeMint supporters already celebrating victory. “The biggest Tea Party day is today,” DeMint said, mentioning Rand Paul, Pat Toomey and Marco Rubio
8:04 p.m. – Rubio wins, O’Donnell goes down
According to networks, two Tea Party backed Republicans have won their Senate races: Marco Rubio in Florida and Kelly Ayotte in New Hampshire.
Another much covered Tea Party candidate, Christine O’Donnell, has lost to Democrat Chris Coons in Delaware.
In Maryland, Democrat Sen. Barbara Mikulski was just declared the victor as well.
8:01 p.m. –Pelosi encourages voters to keep voting!
Addressing a Washington DC crowd, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi encouraged people in districts with polls still open to vote but did not say anything about Democrats keeping control of the House.
8:00 p.m. —More polls close!
A ton of states have just closed their polls, including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida panhandle, Washington, D.C., Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, most of Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, parts of South Dakota, Tennessee and a majority of precincts in Texas.
Also, as we tally up the number of net wins by the GOP in the House, TheDC’s Peter Tucci explores other wave elections in the past.
7:44 p.m. – Dems already serving legal challenges
The Hill is reporting that Democrats in Connecticut are asking for an extension of election hours. And in Illinois, Democrats are “questioning the denial of provisional ballots”.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) told reporters that in Bridgeport, CT, turnout was so high officials ran out of ballots at the polls.
7:35 p.m. – Updates in Florida, Ohio
With just over 1 percent reporting in Florida, Republican Marco Rubio is up with 53 percent. Charlie Crist has 29 percent, and Meek so far is at 16.7 percent.
In Ohio, the networks declared Republican Rob Portman the winner of the state’s Senate race, defeating Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.
7:30 p.m. – McConnell comments on Rand Paul win
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell releases statement on Rand Paul win in Kentucky:
“”For nearly two years, Kentuckians have said they want their government to focus on jobs and the economy. And at every turn, President Obama and Washington Democrats have ignored the people, and pursued their own left-wing agenda. Tonight, Kentucky voters sent a strong message to Washington by electing Dr. Rand Paul to the United States Senate. His message of reining in outrageous Washington spending and the overreaching policies of the Obama Administration resonated throughout the state. Senator-elect Paul ran a great campaign, and I am excited to have him as my colleague in the Senate next year to help us stop this crippling agenda.”
McConnell, of course, endorsed Paul’s opponent Trey Grayson in the primary.
7:17 p.m. – Alvin Greene: It’s not over yet.
South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Alvin Greene does not think the election is over, even though most news organizations have already called the race in favor of Republican Jim DeMint.
“There’s still people standing in line to vote,” Greene said in a phone interview with The Daily Caller at 7:10 p.m., even though the polls closed at 7 p.m. in the state. “I haven’t seen any returns, so I don’t know.”
7:10 p.m. –Mike Pence speaks
Mike Pence, the Chairman of the House Republican Conference, played down the celebratory nature of what are expected to be highly favorable results for Republicans, adopting instead a more serious tone in the face of Americans struggling with a difficult economy and high unemployment.
“I don’t think this is so much a victory for any political party this evening,” Pence said. “I think it is a victory for the American people. I think the American people grew frustrated with runaway federal spending and a tone-deaf Washington, D.C. with, really both political parties—and they showed our party the door in 2006 and again in 2008.”
Pence’s tone is similar to that of most Republicans tonight, who are trying not to seem jubilant at their probable victory at the polls while they address a struggling electorate.
7:07 p.m.- CNN calls races
CNN has called the Kentucky Senate race for Republican Rand Paul over Democrat Jack Conway. In Indiana, the network called the race for Republican Dan Coats.The network also declared incumbents Democratic Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy and Republican South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint winners.
7:05 p.m. – Updates from South Carolina
A handful of South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint supporters are now gathering at a downtown Greenville, S.C., hotel for tonight’s election party. The television cameras are ready, the mic and stage are set, and guests are dining on h’ordourves as they wait for the senator to arrive. Polls here just closed. One television lobby was tuned to CNN, and guests asked hotel management to turn it to Fox News. One of the most influential Republicans in this election expecting a solid win tonight.
7:00 p.m. — More polls closed.
Polls are now closed in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Indiana and Kentucky. Most polls in New Hampshire and Florida are also closed.
6:45 p.m. – Exits show Republicans not winning majority in Senate
Exit polls obtained by The Daily Caller show Republicans winning several key Senate races, but not enough to win control of the upper chamber.
Republicans are up in the Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin senate races.
But the exits show GOPers down in West Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Nevada, California and Washington State.
Here are the figures: Republican Rand Paul in Kentucky is +10, Democrat Joe Manchin in West Virginia is +6, Connecticut Democrat Dick Blumenthal is +9, Florida Republican Marco Rubio +18, Illinois Republican Mark Kirk is +3, Missouri Republican Roy Blunt is +9, Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey is +3, Colorado Democrat Michael Bennett is +2, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson is +4, Nevada Democrat Harry Reid is +2, California Democrat Barbara Boxer is +7, and Washington State’s Patty Murray is +6.
As for governors races, Ohio Republican John Kasich is +1, Texas Republican Rick Perry of Texas is +6 and California Democrat Jerry Brown is +6.
6:43 p.m. – Pelosi says Dems on track to keep majority in House
Less than an hour ago, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told reporters that early exit polls look good for Democrats. “The early returns and overwhelming number of Democrats who are coming out – we’re on pace to maintain a majority in the House of Representatives,” said Pelosi.
Right…
6:34 p.m. – More Conservatives voting this year.
According to a tweet by @nprpolitics: Exit polls: 41% of voters call themselves conservative, up from 32% in 2006 and 34% in 2008.
6:32 p.m. – Consoling an upset Nancy
From a source: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) is not spending election night back in her Silicon Valley district, but has come back to the Washington to give moral support to her friend Nancy Pelosi, who is said to be upset
6:30 p.m. – First races called in Indiana
Republicans Dan Burton and Mike Pence in Indiana’s 5th and 6th Congressional districts respectively, have won their bids for re-election. Pence is the third-ranking Republican in the House.
6:16 p.m. – Drudge calls ’em
Drudge goes ahead and calls the easiest-to-call races so far with Republican wins in Arkansas, Ohio, North Dakota, and Wisconsin
6:14 p.m. – First polls close, Rand Paul up
Polls in Indiana and parts of Kentucky have been closed for just over ten minutes now. And after the first 1,000 votes have been counted in Kentucky, Republican Rand Paul is up at 64.15 percent against opponent Jack Conway.
5: 50 p.m. – Preliminary exit polls show economy is number one concern for voters
The Associated Press reports that a first look at exit polls today, show voters’ number-one concern is the economy. Not only that, but a majority are unhappy with the job Congress and President Obama have done so far. Furthermore, half of today’s voters say the president’s policies will only weaken the economy even more.
5:37 p.m. – Trouble for ACORN
On this election day, ACORN files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Check back to The Daily Caller for a full report.
5:33 p.m. – New Gallup poll says voters more enthusiastic this year.
Interesting election tidbit: a poll released today by Gallup says 53 percent of registered voters report being more enthusiastic about voting this year. Not only is that number for a midterm election, it also passes the record set when the same question was asked four years ago in 2006.
5:10 p.m.—Could Republicans convince independent Sen. Joe Lieberman to become a Republican, especially if the GOP ends up being just a seat or two away from the majority?
NRSC chairman John Cornyn suggested the idea on Fox News, saying Republicans “would certainly welcome him or any other Democrat who wants to switch sides of the aisle and caucus with us.”
(h/t the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza)
5:00 p.m. —First polls close in just one hour.
Polling precincts in parts of Indiana and Kentucky close at 6 p.m. EST. The rest of the polls in those states close at 7 p.m. See the full listing of poll closing times.
4:49 p.m. – In Florida, Rick Scott’s campaign sets up voter hotline as precaution, says Democrats have history of committing voter fraud
In Florida, Rick Scott’s campaign has set up an “Honest Voter Hotline,” encouraging Floridians to report any odd behavior at the polls like fraud and intimidation. According to the website TPM, the Gubernatorial candidate’s campaign announced the hotline yesterday, saying that the Democratic Party has “shown a willingness to commit fraud across the country, in both this election cycle and recent years”.
Scott spokesman Trey Stapleton said, however, that the hotline is just a precaution.
“It’s always better to have those numbers as a sort of back up just in case somebody sees something,” said Stapleton.
4:13 p.m. – Hopelessly optimistic campaigns send out last-minute appeal for votes
Campaigns sent out a round of last-minute emails this morning, in an apparent last-minute attempt to rally voters for their candidates.
In Missouri, the campaign of Democratic Senatorial candidate Robin Carnahan sent out an email telling readers that “Polls here in Missouri opened five hours ago and we’re already hearing that it’s going down to the wire.” Carnahan, however, was down nine points in the last statewide poll.
In Louisiana, Democrat Senate hopeful Charlie Melancon sent out an email to remind voters that “turnout is going to be key” in defeating the incumbent and presumed-safe Repulican Sen. David Vitter.
And an email sent out today by Christine O’Donnell’s campaign in Delaware went one step further by inviting supporters to an Election Night “VICTORY PARTY”.
“GOOD Election Morning, Team, Christine!” the email’s headline reads. “You have worked so hard, and it’s time to PARTY and CELEBRATE!!”
3:54 p.m.—Palin: ‘I’m not on ballot’
Sarah Palin tweeted a reminder out Tuesday afternoon to NBC’s Chuck Todd: “Silly fellas! Chucky, remember, I’m not on ballot.”
Palin was responding to a media website’s report that Todd said earlier that “Sarah Palin’s political future is a little bit on the line” tonight and a bad election night could “be a big embarrassment.”
3:37 p.m.—Christie predicts the GOP will win 70 seats tonight
From NJ.com: “Gov. Chris Christie, who campaigned for candidates across the United States, predicted Republicans will gain as many as 70 seats in the House of Representatives today, putting him at the high end of pre-election projections for gains by his party…A gain of 70 seats would be the largest for Republicans in a non-Presidential year election since 1938, when Democrats lost 72 seats.”
2:35 p.m.— Report: Harrah’s pushed employees to GOTV for Reid
The National Review just published internal e-mails showing executives at Harrah’s casino in Las Vegas pushing employees to vote early to help Democratic leader Sen. Harry Reid. Reid is battling it out with Republican Sharron Angle in Nevada.
According to the report, after a Reid staffer begged Harrah’s top lobbyist for help, emails were subsequently sent out
2:31 p.m.—We want reader predictions!
Tell us your expertise opinion on the hottest races. We’ll post the most interesting. Email us here.
2:15 p.m.— Just how big will the Republican sweep be?
That’s the big question tonight as voters across the country head to the polls. We’ll be right here with you until we finally know the answer.
Republicans need to net 39 seats to win control of the U.S. House. Top prognosticators are expecting the GOP to comfortably exceed that number.
The Senate, however, is no sure thing. A net of 10 seats is needed for Republicans to win the majority.
For a complete rundown, see TheDC’s Jon Ward piece, “The wave’s momentum, the Palin effect, and Obama’s rationale for defeat.”
Welcome to The Daily Caller’s election night live blog. Stay tuned for results and analysis from our reporting team. Have a valuable tip or a crazy election day story? Email reporters Alex Pappas or Amanda Carey.