After the lower house, Democrats take the Senate

The Democrats have taken control of the Senate in the US mid-term elections after reportedly winning the vital state of Virginia. According to the American TV channel NBC and several other news agencies, Democrat James Webb has unseated Republican Senator George Allen. The vote was extremely close. Allen lost by the slimmest of margins- around a half of one per cent. He has refused though to concede defeat.

It’s a double blow for President Bush’s Republicans after losing control of the House of Representatives. Webb had claimed victory earlier yesterday but with a lead of only around 7,000 out of 2.3 million. Virginia looks set to be the key to Democratic control of the Senate. If Webb’s victory is confirmed, the Democrats will have 51 seats to the Republicans’ 49.

The American media have called the result but a recount remains a possibility in Virginia and Montana, another slender Democrat win. That process could take weeks.

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