N. Carolinians elect first female governor

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- North Carolinians elected their first woman governor Tuesday, elevating Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue to the office over Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

Perdue replaced Mike Easley, who could not seek a third term.

Elsewhere, Jay Nixon, became Missouri's next governor after serving as the state's longtime attorney general. Nixon, the Democratic nominee, ran against Republican Rep. Kenny Hulshof to succeed Republican Gov. Matt Blunt, who didn't seek a second term.

Washington Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire appeared headed for a second term but the race was close and Republican Dino Rossi was not conceding, a spokeswoman said. Gregoire won her 2004 race against Rossi by 133 votes out of 2.8 million ballots cast, making it the closest gubernatorial race in U.S. history, CNN reported.

Republican incumbent Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas Tuesday was poised to down Democratic opponent Gaye Symington and independent Anthony Pollina.

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin was re-elected, defeating Republican legislator Russ Weeks and Mountain Party nominee Jesse Johnson, results indicated.

In Montana, Democratic incumbent Brian Schweitzer defeated Republican state Sen. Roy Brown.

Jon Huntsman was re-elected governor of Utah, keeping alive a nearly 30-year string of Republicans holding the office. Huntsman defeated Democrat Bob Springmeyer.

Republican North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven cruised to a third term Tuesday by a wide margin over Democratic State Sen. Tim Mathern.

Returned to the governor's office for a second term was Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who bested former Democratic Rep. Jill Long Thompson.

Democratic New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch won election to a third term, handily beating Republican state Sen. Joe Kenney and declaring victory.