Although much of the attention Tuesday was focused on the presidential race between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry, many eyes watched hundreds of races across the country that helped Republicans extend control of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Because U.S. representatives serve only two-year terms, all 435 House seats were up for grabs on Nov. 2, although some incumbents ran unopposed.

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Results: National Races | State-By-State Breakdown Coverage: Hot Races | State Issues | Voting Problems Interactive: Electoral College Explained Slideshow: Images Of Election 2004 Survey: Happy With Election Outcome?

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Republicans retained their House control, extending their 10-year hold on the chamber. They have also padded their current majority by at least one seat. They picked up Democratic-held seats in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

They now have won 229 seats and lead in another four races. That guarantees a gain of two from the 227-205 advantage they now hold over Democrats.

The GOP succeeded in knocking off three veteran Texas Democrats, victims of new congressional district lines drawn by Republicans in the Texas legislature to the GOP's advantage. Among the chief architects of the fiercely disputed plan was House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas, who was easily re-elected.

Among those losing seats were Charles Stenholm, a leading fiscal conservative and power on the Agriculture Committee, and Martin Frost, a one-time member of his party's leadership. The Democrats who lost had a total of 68 years of House experience.

Democrats so far have clinched 199 seats and lead in two other races. They knocked off one Republican incumbent, Philip Crane of Illinois. He was the GOP's longest-serving member. He conceded defeat to businesswoman Melissa Bean.

In the outgoing House, Republicans have 227 seats to 205 for Democrats.

A victory by Bush would give Vice President Dick Cheney the ability to break ties. A victory by Kerry would force him to resign his seat in Congress. That would give Republicans a 50-49 advantage until his successor was elected in late spring or summer.

Republicans have been also assured of at least 55 Senate seats after sweeping through the South with victories in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. Louisiana has elected its first Republican senator in modern times, giving Republicans five of the five seats vacated by Democrats.

Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota lost his bid for a fourth term, but Democrats picked up a Republican seat in Illinois.

Hot Senate Races

Senate Election Returns, Alabama-Nevada
Senate Election Returns, New Hampshire-Washington

South Dakota: Sentate Minority Leader Tom Daschle -- one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington and a harsh critic of Bush -- lost a tough re-election battle at home in South Dakota with former GOP Rep. John Thune, who left the House to run for the Senate in 2002, when he lost to Sen. Tim Johnson by about 500 votes. The defeat creates a leadership void among the Democrats. Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, who won a new term Tuesday, has hinted he'd like to fill it.

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Sen. Barack Obama Elected In Illinois

Illinois: Democrat Barack Obama defeated Republican Alan Keyes by about 43 percentage points, becoming only the fifth black U.S. senator in history. The 43-year-old liberal state senator from Chicago catapulted to political prominence with a stirring keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. The race was the nation's first Senate contest between two black candidates from the major parties. Obama will replace Republican Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, who declined to run for a second term.

Alaska: Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski won the seat to which she was appointed by her father, Gov. Frank Murkowski, in 2002. The battle between Murkowski and Democratic challenger Tony Knowles was one of the most competitive Senate races. It included charges of nepotism and accusations that Knowles was too liberal for Alaskans.

North Carolina: Republican Richard Burr rallied from a double-digit deficit in the polls in the summer to a victory over Democrat Erskine Bowles. It's the second straight election in which Bowles, the former White House Chief of Staff in the Clinton administration, has failed to capture a Senate seat. In 2002, Bowles lost to Elizabeth Dole.

South Carolina: Republican Rep. Jim DeMint won the U.S. Senate seat that Democrat Ernest Hollings is retiring from this year. DeMint beat Democratic state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum.

Oklahoma: Physician and former GOP Rep. Tom Coburn held on to Oklahoma's U.S. Senate seat for Republicans. Coburn defeated Democratic Rep. Brad Carson for the post left open by retiring Sen. Don Nickles.

Florida: Democrat Betty Castor conceded defeat to Republican Mel Martinez for the seat of retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham. Castor she doesn't think the uncounted absentee ballots will make a difference. Although Martinez won by a slim margin, Castor said "realistically, truthfully, it would be very difficult to make up the difference." Martinez, a former federal housing secretary, becomes the nation's first Cuban-American senator.

Colorado: Democratic Attorney General Ken Salazar beat Republican Pete Coors. Salazar, who becomes the first Hispanic U.S. senator in more than 25 years, tapped a populist theme, saying he understands the struggles of the working class and would help stimulate jobs and education funding. Coors stressed his business experience and belief in low taxes, small government, a strong defense and conservative social values.

Kentucky: Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning survived an error-filled campaign to win re-election, narrowly defeated hard-charging Democratic challenger Daniel Mongiardo in a bitter race filled with personal attacks.

Louisiana: The state elected its first Republican senator in modern times, with David Vitter winning the race for the seat being vacated by Democrat John Breaux. The race had been a four-way battle between Vitter and three Democrats: Rep. Chris John, state Treasurer John Kennedy, and state Rep. Arthur Morrell.

Wisconsin: Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold defeated Republican challenger Tim Michels Tuesday. Feingold had been painted by Republicans as a vulnerable Democrat who was too liberal for Wisconsin.

Governorships Decided In 11 States

Governors' Election Returns

For voters in 11 states, November's elections are not only about picking a president or members of Congress. They are also about choosing governors.

Since November 2001, there have been 42 governors' races in 41 states, including the California gubernatorial recall race. And 25 gubernatorial seats changed party hands after the votes were counted.

This year, six governors' offices held by Democrats were contested: Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Washington and West Virginia. Republicans held five up for grabs: Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah and Vermont.

Hot Gubernatorial Races

Washington: The race is too close to call, with Republican Dino Rossi and Democrat Christine Gregoire virtually tied at 49 percent. Rossi was leading Wednesday morning by about 900 votes in the total count. With the state's last Republican governor holding office in 1980, the GOP is eager to break the 20-year trend of Democratic dominance.

Utah: Republican Jon Huntsman Jr. is Utah's next governor, beating out challenger Democrat Scott Matheson Jr. Exit poll analysis showed Huntsman drew overwhelming support from Utah's huge Republican base. Both candidates come from well-known Utah families, but Matheson couldn't match Huntsman's campaign war chest.

Missouri: The dark horse Republican gubernatorial nominee, Secretary of State Matt Blunt, has won Missouri's close fight for governor over Democrat Claire McCaskill. The Secretary of State rode to victory with an overwhelming rural vote.

Indiana: Former Bush administration budget director Mitch Daniels has been elected governor of Indiana, ousting Democratic incumbent Joe Kernan.

North Carolina: Democratic incumbent Gov. Mike Easley will serve North Carolina for a second consecutive term, defeating Republican Patrick Ballantine, a 10-year state senator.

Montana: Rancher and Democratic nominee Brian Schweitzer, who portrayed himself as government outsider promising change and bipartisan rule, has defeated Republican Secretary of State Bob Brown in the governor's race. The victory returned the office to Democrats' hands for the first time in 16 years.

West Virginia: Democrat Joe Manchin won a decisive victory over Republican Monty Warner to become West Virginia's 34th governor.

Delaware: Incumbent Democratic Gov. Ruth Ann Minner won her second term against Republican challenger and former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Lee.

Vermont: Republican Gov. Jim Douglas won a second term in office, defeating Democratic challenger Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle. The Republican bucked a Democratic tide in the state, with Vermonters voting overwhelmingly for Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy and U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders.

New Hampshire: New Hampshire voters denied a sitting governor a second term for the first time since the 1920s, rejecting Republican Gov. Craig Benson on Tuesday in favor of Democrat John Lynch, a political neophyte who hammered at scandal in state government.

North Dakota: Republican incumbent Gov. John Hoeven has defeated Democratic businessman and former state Sen. Joe Satrom. North Dakota has not had a Democratic governor since 1992.