Republicans grab victories in governorships

WASHINGTON - Republicans yesterday captured governorships that had been held by Democrats in at least six states and hoped for even more statehouse gains as voters selected governors in more than two-thirds of the nation.

Lost in the GOP onslaught: governorships in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Tennessee, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming currently held by Democrats.

Even so, there were a few bright spots for Democrats in the face of an anti-incumbent groundswell sweeping the nation, including key gubernatorial victories in New York, Massachusetts and Maryland.

In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick won a second term, defeating Republican Charles Baker and two other candidates.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley withstood a hard-fought challenge from his predecessor, former Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich. And New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch and Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, both Democrats, were also re-elected.

Denver's Democratic mayor, John Hickenlooper, was elected Colorado governor. But most of the news for Democrats was gloomy, as the same wave that engulfed congressional Democrats took its toll on governor's mansions.

In Democratic-leaning Pennsylvania, Republican Tom Corbett defeated Democrat Dan Onorato to replace Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who was term limited.

- AP