Election Wave Sweeps in House Republicans

The Republicans’ recapturing of the House of Representatives Tuesday will mean a shift in power of transportation-related panels, and the Democratic casualties included long-time House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.), who lost the seat he has held since 1974.

Oberstar, an 18-term congressman, was narrowly defeated 48% to 47% by Republican political newcomer Chip Cravaack, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported. Oberstar had never won with less than 59% of the vote, the paper said.

Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), the presumptive new Speaker of the House, promised a “change of course” and said the elections were a mandate to shrink the government, the Associated Press reported.

Incomplete returns showed Republicans picking up at least 60 of 435 House seats and leading in four more races, far in excess of the 40 that was needed for a GOP majority. About two dozen races remained too close to call, AP said.

Republicans also netted at least six seats in the Senate, which was likely to remain in Democratic hands with at least 51 of 100 seats. Three races — Alaska, Colorado and Washington — remained too close to call as of Wednesday morning, AP reported.