Democrats Take Kentucky and Virginia

The Democratic party was toasting its own success today after securing election wins in previously Republican states Kentucky and Virginia.

Governor Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky, a Republican dogged by accusations of nepotism in his administration's hiring practices, lost to Steve Beshear by 17 points.

Democrats have also taken control of the Virginia Senate, taking four Republican seats as they continued to transform a once-red state blue.

The charges against Mr Fletcher were dropped in a deal with Kentucky prosecutors after he admitted wrongdoing by his administration. But his efforts to revive his reputation did not carry him far enough.

Mr Beshear kept the focus on Fletcher's legal troubles while also arguing that allowing casinos at horse racing tracks and in a few places along the state's borders would generate $500m (£250m) in tax revenue that could help improve the lives of Kentuckians. Voters would have to approve any change to the constitution by referendum.

In a contest that many political strategists say could turn the state into a battleground for the 2008 presidential race, Virginia Democrats won a majority in the state Senate, while Republicans held onto control in the House.

Republicans have controlled both chambers since the late 1990s, but the once reliably conservative state may be turning.

That shift started with the gubernatorial win by a Democrat, Mark Warner, in 2001 and then Tim Kaine in 2005. Jim Webb edged out the incumbent Republican, Senator George Allen, last year.

Many political strategists are watching for next year's crucial battle for the seat of Senator John Warner, a Republican, who is retiring.

In Baltimore, Sheila Dixon wa elected mayor, becoming the first black woman elected to the office as Democrats maintained their decades-long grip on City Hall.

Baltimore's government is now headed not only by Democrats, but by black women, including City Comptroller Joan Pratt, whose re-election was uncontested, and Patricia Jessamy, the city state's attorney.

Elsewhere, voting produced few surprises, low turnout and isolated reports of problems.

Voters in Columbus, Ohio, and Philadelphia chose Democratic mayors, as expected. In Pittsburgh, the Democratic mayoral incumbent, Luke Ravenstahl, who spent much of his first term fending off ethics questions, won, but by less of a margin than expected in a city where registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans more than five to one.

Election officials in Maryland, Ohio and Utah reported turnouts lower than expected. The top of the ticket in most places featured races that were not close and the bottom consisted largely of ballot measures focused on nuts-and-bolt spending issues rather than controversial social topics.