WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle lost his reelection bid Tuesday to former Rep. John Thune, helping the GOP increase its control of the Senate.
Heavily targeted by Republicans for defeat, with even Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., breaking with tradition and campaigning against Daschle, Thune is projected to have beaten the South Dakota senator by a slim margin in what was the most closely watched Senate races this year and also one of the toughest.
First elected to the House of Representatives in 1978, Daschle was a popular politician in the state, but a growing slant to the GOP and the large turnout in favor of President Bush in the state helped Thune win the race.
The loss makes Daschle the first party leader in the body to lose a reelection race in over half a century.
The GOP win helps increase the Republican control in the Senate to 53 seats.
However, closely divided races in Alaska and Florida where the GOP nominees have leads are still to be determined and could further increase the margin.
