BEEBE WINS: Gov. Mike Beebe and his wife Ginger celebrate a rare big win nfor a Democrat. Brian Chilson

BEEBE WINS: Gov. Mike Beebe and his wife Ginger celebrate a rare big win nfor a Democrat.

  • Brian Chilson
  • BEEBE WINS: Gov. Mike Beebe and his wife Ginger celebrate a rare big win nfor a Democrat.

Here’s some film of John Boozman’s victory statement from Gerard Matthews.

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I’d like to hang on for the bitter end, but I think I’ll catch up in the morning.

Republicans seem headed to a gain of 60-plus seats in the U.S. House, but the Democrats will hold the Senate and perhaps win a couple of seats thought lost.

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The big drama in Arkansas tonight will be, in addition to the 1st District congressional race, where Republican Rick Crawford has led comfortably so far, the lesser statewide offices, generally of little day-to-day consequence but sources of considerable patronage and plenty of political bragging rights. Races for lt. gov., secretary of state and land commissioner are close. Gov. Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel willl continue in office and hold the controlling votes on redistricting decisions.

The Republicans will make big gains in both the state House and Senate, but it’s too early to say with any certainty what the final outcome will be. I will say this: If Arkansas voters have really sent Loy Mauch to the legislature they are crazy as ****. The late Keith Crass seems likely to win the Hot Springs House race, which means a special election will be required to fill the seat.

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You can check here for Pulaski County vote updates, generally unchanged since our first report.

Perhaps now the victorious Republicans will talk at last specifically about what spending they will cut. Continuation of Bush tax cuts will require a powerful lot of such cuts to balance the budget.

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Stray note: Early returns show Iowa Supreme Court justices narrowly holding onto their seats in an effort to oust them for their ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in Iowa.

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