REPUBLICANS won two key state elections, dealing a stinging blow to President Barack Obama and his Democrats 12 months after they swept to power.

Republicans have surged to victory in two governors’ races in the US, wresting control from Democrats and delivering a blow to President Barack Obama heading into next year’s congressional elections.

THE Republican opposition hoped to draw blood yesterday as voters went to the polls in off-year contests seen as testing US President Barack Obama’s popularity 12 months after his Democratic party swept to power.