U.S. Senate

On a night when Barack Obama won in a landslide, the Democratic gains in the U.S. Senate were less dramatic, with the majority party solidifying its hold on the upper chamber but failing to picking up the 60 seats necessary to block a filibuster of the president-elect's agenda.

Democrats easily picked up open seats in New Mexico, Virginia and Colorado. In addition they defeated Republican incumbents in New Hampshire and North Carolina.

Races in Oregon, Georgia and Alaska were yet to be called by Wednesday morning, but Republicans were leading in the preliminary results in Georgia and Alaska.

Even if Democrats were to pick up those three seats, they could only control 59 Senate seats.

Morning voter turnout in Massachusetts may have increased by more than 25 percent compared to the past three election cycles, John Kerry's Senate campaign just told PolitickerMA.com.

The Kerry camp uses a turnout model to measure where the vote total should be using an average of results from the last three elections.

Between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., the Kerry camp found that voter turnout Tuesday was up 30 percent compared to the average level it was at 10 a.m. in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg with his grandchildren at Epiphany Elementary School in Cliffside Park

CLIFFSIDE PARK -- U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-Cliffside Park) was in a jubilant mood after voting for himself this morning – so much so that, flanked by his grandchildren, he kicked off his brief press availability with some poetry.

“The sun is shining, the spirits are bright, there’s hope for America after this night,” he said while standing just outside the elementary school that serves as his polling place.

Lautenberg, 84, started off his press availability by praising Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, calling what he expects to be his imminent election a transformational moment.

“It’s really an exciting day, an exciting moment. America is on a journey. Today I think we’ll see the transformation of our country. The substance of Barack Obama as a favorite son of all of America, transcending any concerns of color, religion, culture – that’s gone. And Barack Obama is going to deliver that freedom to the American people,” he said. “As for me, I’ve been here before. Some of you have been too.”

BANGOR -- U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Portland) spent his last day on the campaign trail in Biddeford, Portland, Waterville and Bangor Monday.

His final stop was in Bangor, where he mingled with volunteers at a phone bank at the Democratic Party offices downtown.

Allen said it has been a long campaign – nearly two years – but a great experience.

As the hours waned, he continued to contrast himself with his opponent, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), especially in the areas of economic policy and health care.

Several New Hampshire political analysts have offered their predictions for Election Day.

All the analysts cited say the Democrats are poised to win the congressional races in New Hampshire and will keep control of the State House.