NPR : Races to Watch, Election 2002

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Results, Players in Key Races

With victories in some close and closely watched contests, Republicans regained control of the Senate and added to their advantage in the House of Representatives. A computer glitch has delayed the count in the South Dakota Senate race. And a runoff will be held for the Louisiana Senate race on Dec. 7. Read and hear NPR News journalists' assessments of some of the key races decided Nov. 5.

The Senate

Of the 34 Senate seats at stake, 20 currently are held by Republicans and 14 by Democrats. Below, nine of those contests that NPR News identified as key "races to watch."

Arkansas - Arkansas Attorney General Mark Pryor (D) ousts incumbent Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R).

Colorado - Incumbent Wayne Allard (R) again defeats Tom Strickland (D) in a rematch of their close 1996 race.

Minnesota - Norm Coleman (R), the former mayor of St. Paul, defeats Walter Mondale (D), vice president in the Carter administration and a Minnesota senator from 1964 to 1976. Mondale replaced the late Paul Wellstone on October 30.

Missouri - Incumbent Jean Carnahan (D) concedes that she has lost her contest to former U.S. Rep. Jim Talent (R).

New Hampshire - U.S. Rep. John Sununu (R) knocks off current New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in their battle for the Senate.

New Jersey - Frank Lautenberg (D), returns to the Senate after defeating Douglas Forrester (R). Lautenberg was a late replacement for fellow Democrat Sen. Robert Torricelli, who withdrew late in the campaign.

North Carolina - Elizabeth Dole (R) defeats Erskine Bowles (D) in the campaign to succeed retiring Sen. Jesse Helms (R).

South Dakota - U.S. Rep. John Thune (R) narrowly lost to incumbent Tim Johnson (D).

Texas - In a race to replace retiring Sen. Phil Gramm (R), Texas Attorney General John Cornyn (R) tops former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk (D).

The Governors

Of the 36 governerships at stake -- 23 currently held by Republicans, 11 by Democrats and two by independents -- NPR News journalists identified the following as key contests. Also of interest: a ballot measure that would allow the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood to become separate from the City of Los Angeles.

California - Incumbent Gov. Gray Davis (D) overcomes a surprisingly strong challenge from Republican Bill Simon, a businessman and former United States Attorney. Voters in Los Angeles voted against a plan for the San Fernando Valley to separate from the City of Los Angeles, and form independent cities.

Florida - Incumbent Gov. Jeb Bush (R) holds off a challenge from lawyer and businessman Bill McBride (D). McBride defeated former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno in the Democratic primary.

Illinois - Democrats win the governorship for the first time since 1972 Rep. Rod Blagojevich (D) defeats Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan (R).

Michigan - State Attorney General Jennifer Granholm (D) wins her battle with Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus (R).

New York - Incumbent Gov. George Pataki (R) wins a third term, defeating state Comptroller Carl McCall (D) and millionaire Tom Golisano (I).

Pennsylvania - The former mayor of Philadelphia, Ed Rendell (D), ascends to the governor's mansion with a victory over Attorney General Mike Fisher (R).

Texas - Bush successor Gov. Rick Perry (R) holds on to his job, outlasting businessman Tony Sanchez (D).

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