Both Parties Appear to Retain Balance of Seats

WASHINGTON —  Former White House Budget Director Mitch Daniels was elected governor of Indiana on Tuesday, ousting incumbent Democrat Joe Kernan in a fierce, expensive contest that revolved around the loss of jobs in the state.

More than $28 million was spent on the race, making it one of the costliest of the 11 governors’ seats on the line this year.

Daniels, 55, will be the first Republican governor of the state since 1988.

“I don’t think any candidate in America worked harder than Mitch Daniels during the past two years, and tonight those efforts were justly rewarded,” said Ohio Gov. Robert A. Taft, chairman of the Republican Governors Assn., which contributed $2.6 million to the campaign.

But the Democrats’ loss of Indiana was made up in New Hampshire, where John Lynch, a political newcomer, defeated incumbent Republican Craig Benson.

Before Tuesday’s election, there were 22 Democrats and 28 Republicans in the state executive mansions. With one race too close to call, Republicans kept control in 28 states and Democrats had 21.

Other expensive races also resulted in Republican victories. In Missouri, Republican Secretary of State Matt Blunt, the son of four-term Rep. Roy Blunt, defeated Democratic State Auditor Claire McCaskill in a race that cost more than $25 million. McCaskill had defeated the incumbent governor, Bob Holden, in the Democratic primary in August.

And in Utah, former Reagan aide Jon Huntsman Jr. beat Scott Matheson Jr., dean of the University of Utah law school and the son of a former governor, in a race that also broke spending records.

Elsewhere, North Carolina Gov. Michael F. Easley, a Democrat, won a second term.

So did Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, another Democrat, who held on to her seat despite attacks from her opponent, Bill Lee.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, a Republican, won a second term as well, leading his challenger, Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, by a wide margin.

In West Virginia, Democratic Secretary of State Joe Manchin easily won the seat left open after Democratic Gov. Bob Wise decided not to seek reelection.

In a race for another open seat, in Montana, Democratic rancher Brian Schweitzer defeated longtime state legislator Bob Brown. Republican Gov. Judy Martz did not seek reelection.

North Dakota GOP Gov. John Hoeven won a second term with a formidable lead over Joseph Satrom, a former Democratic state senator and conservation official.

In Washington, the race between Republican legislative leader Dino Rossi and Democratic Atty. Gen. Christine Gregoire was too close to call early today. Two-term Democratic Gov. Gary Locke chose not to seek reelection.

Associated Press contributed to this report.