Washington — Republicans appeared certain to retain control of the U.S. Senate Tuesday after pulling off key early wins in the South, and they had the prospect of widening their current narrow margin by winning several Senate races that were still undecided late Tuesday.

Democrat Barack Obama's landslide in Illinois, putting a formerly Republican seat in the Democratic camp, was more than offset when the GOP picked up seats in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, while fending off fierce Democratic challenges to Republicans in Oklahoma and Kentucky.

In North Carolina, Republicans dealt a particularly symbolic blow to Democrats, as GOP Rep. Richard Burr defeated Democrat Erskine Bowles for the seat now held by Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards. Trailing for much of the campaign to Bowles, who had served as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, Burr went on the attack and overcame Bowles' early lead with the help of a burst of GOP advertising in the campaign's final weeks.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., a prime GOP target, was in an urgent fight late Tuesday night to hold onto his seat. If Daschle loses his seat, it would be the first defeat for a Senate party leader since 1952 and would remove the highest-ranking Democrat in the country.

Regardless of who occupies the White House, continued Republican control of the Senate and House will be a crucial benefit to the GOP in deciding what kind of legislation is considered by Congress in the next administration. Republican domination also will give the party exclusive control over investigations that may arise over Iraq or any number of potential controversies.

Democrats had entered the contest for control of the Senate in a more difficult position than the GOP, because more of their incumbents were retiring. Republicans started the evening with a 51-48 majority in the Senate, with independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont generally voting with the Democrats.

Still undecided late Tuesday were key races in Colorado and Alaska, where Democrats hoped pick up seats. But Democrats also had to defend seats in Louisiana and Florida, as well as Daschle's in South Dakota.

In the House, Republicans also appeared certain to retain control. Republicans currently hold a 227-205 edge in the chamber -- with two vacancies in Republican-leaning districts and one independent who generally votes with the Democrats -- and only three dozen races were considered competitive. In a rare upset, Democrat Melissa Bean appeared to unseat Rep. Phil Crane, R-Ill., the longest-serving Republican in the House.

The GOP was assisted in House races by a controversial redistricting plan in Texas engineered by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas. It re-drew electoral boundaries in a way that was likely to tip five Democratic-held districts toward a Republican majority.

Republicans had defeated three veteran Texas Democrats by late Tuesday: Rep. Charles Stenholm, a leading fiscal conservative, Rep. Martin Frost, a former member of the party's congressional leadership, and Rep. Max Sandlin.

Overview Unofficial election results Douglas County precinct map Election Day 2004 feedback Kids Voting ResultsCounty Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years Former mayor defeats Buhler in Senate race Embattled district judge stays on bench McElhaney survives short-lived deficit Record number of voters cast their ballots in county Douglas County kids choose Kerry Politicians, supporters share 'crazy' election-night revelry Voters approve Perry-Lecompton bond issue Township lacks candidatesState Moore fends off another challenge Ryun wins contentious 2nd District Congress seat Brownback easily defends his U.S. Senate seat Holland inches past GOP challenge Pine takes 3rd District Senate seat Wagnon wins State Board of Education race Seven incumbents lose; GOP pads majority in House Voters deny sales tax for K.C. arena Bush wins Kansas handily Kansans show they're satisfied with Bush Counties see high voter turnout Election briefsNational Too close to call President 'upbeat' on election returns Kerry sentimental as race nears end Analysis: Emotions guided presidential voting Networks use care in reporting results New media throw caution to the wind Presidential race prompts late selloff State by state results: Midwest State by state results: West State by state results: Northeast State by state results: South California backs stem-cell research Voters in 11 states approve gay-marriage bans GOP wins key states in South World riveted by U.S. electionMultimedia Photo Gallery: Election Day 2004 6News video: Dennis Moore wins in a 'landslide' 6News video: Dennis Moore victory speech 6News video: Bob Johnson wins 2nd District County Commission position 6News video: Paula Gilchrist presumed Douglas County Treasurer 6News video: Ken McGovern wins sheriff's office 6News video: Jere McElhaney on the 3rd District Commissioner seat 6News video: Penrod optimistic about Douglas County Clerk position 6News video: Ermeling hopeful in 3rd District Commissioner race 6News video: Francisco likely to win 2nd District Barbara Ballard talks about younger voters and their importance in this election. Barbara Ballard talks about being in Lawrence and Kansas on election night. Paul Davis talks about the importance of this election to the Kansas Democrats. Paul Davis chooses his most important race in Kansas. Paul Davis talks about the feeling among other Democrats in Kansas. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius addresses the crowd at Abe 'N Jakes Landing.

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