House GOP could lose 20 seats; Dems 4

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. House Democrats padded their majority by at least 18 more seats, but several races remained too close to call Wednesday.

With some races still undecided, Democrats had won nearly two-dozen Republican-held seats and the GOP took four Democratic-held seats, The Hill reported.

Early Wednesday, Democrats added wins over Republican Reps. Virgil Goode in Virginia, Tim Walberg in Michigan, Jon Porter in Nevada, Steve Chabot in Ohio and Thelma Drake in Virginia. They also took open seats of Republican Reps. Vito Fossella of New York and Ralph Regula in Ohio.

Republicans knocked off four Democratic freshman, Louisiana's Don Cazayoux, Nick Lampson in Texas, Nancy Boyda in Kansas and Florida's Tim Mahoney, who ran under the cloud of a sex scandal.

A recount may be looming in the race between Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va., and his Democratic challenger Tom Perriello, who were separated by 600 votes, the Washington publication reported.

In New Jersey, Republican candidate Chris Myers had conceded the U.S. House race to Democrat John Adler, but returns later indicated he was ahead by nearly 2,000 votes with 93 precincts reporting, The Hill said. The two were battling to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Jim Saxton.

Other still-undecided races include Republican Rep. Bill Sali's effort to retain his Idaho seat, GOP Rep. Dave Reichart's battle in Washington, and open races for seats vacated by Republican Reps. John Doolittle of California and Wayne Gilchrest in Maryland.