Cardin projected winner in Md. Senate race

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Ben Cardin, D-Md., has defeated Republican Michael Steele for the open U.S. Senate seat in Maryland, CBS News, NBC News and CNN projected.

The seat is being vacated by Sen. Paul Sarbanes, a Democrat, and its retention was considered essential to Democratic hopes of gaining a majority in the upper house.

The state's lieutenant governor, Steele tried to show his independence through unconventional ads and his likeable persona, The Washington Post said.

Cardin hit repeatedly on Steele's support of President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq.

The Post said the race was decided by a large turnout of voters. A record number of Maryland voters requested absentee ballots.