WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Democrats have lost the South Carolina Senate seat, with Republican Rep. Jim DeMint the projected winner.
With incumbent Sen. Fritz Hollings retiring, Democrat Inez Tenenbaum sought to keep the seat in the blue column, but DeMint has taken a six-point lead. With 54 percent of precincts reporting, DeMint had 52 percent of the vote to Tenenbaum's 46 percent.
Republicans look like they may also pick up the seat being vacated by Sen. John Edwards, the vice presidential candidate. Former Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles was down by six points to Rep. Richard Burr. Burr had 52 percent of the vote to Bowles' 46 percent, with 36 percent of precincts reporting.
Meanwhile, the race in Kentucky between Jim Bunning, the Republican incumbent, and Daniel Mongiardo has turned to favor Bunning.
Earlier tallies showed Mongiardo with a lead, but Bunning drew even and then took a slight lead as more precincts reported. With 97 percent reporting, Bunning was up 51 percent to 49 percent for Mongiardo.
Sen. Tom Daschle, the Senate minority leader, is locked in a tight battle for re-election against Republican challenger John Thune. With 17 percent of precincts reporting, Daschle was up 51 percent to 49 percent.
