Republican success deals blow to Obama

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 victories in Virginia and New Jersey were triumphs for a Republican Party looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008.

In both states, Republicans won the votes of independents who had been crucial to Mr Obama’s victory last year.

In the traditionally Democratic state of New Jersey, Governor Jon Corzine, a billionaire former Wall Street executive, was defeated by Republican Chris Christie.

In the other race, Bob McDonnell won a resounding victory over R Creigh Deeds in Virginia, a state that was once a Republican stronghold but elected Democrats the last two times and also backed Mr Obama last year.

The outcomes of the two races were watched closely for hints about the attitudes of American voters and whether the diverse coalition that sent Mr Obama to the White House remains intact.

Some commentators said any impact could be overstated as only two of the 50 US states were holding governor elections, and voters often were focused on local issues and local personalities.

However, Mr Obama devoted much time working to persuade voters to support Mr Deeds and Mr Corzine, campaigning for both Democrats and being featured in their adverts.

In addition, he sought to ensure the Democrats would pick up a vacant upstate New York congressional seat long held by Republicans. In that contest, Democrat Bill Owens had an early lead over conservative Doug Hoffman, in a race marked by Republican infighting.

Next year most governors, a third of the Senate and all members of the House of Representatives will be up for election, and Mr Obama knows he needs allies to pass his legislative priorities of health care and climate change.

In other races Tuesday, voters in the north-eastern state of Maine weighed in on same-sex marriage in a closely watched initiative, and a number of cities selected mayors, including New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg had been heavily favoured to win re-election and won, but in a tighter-than-expected race.