WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have taken away a third Democratic Senate seat, winning North Dakota.
GOP Gov. John Hoeven beat Democrat Tracy Potter in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan.
There were no surprises in South Dakota where Republican John Thune was uncontested for second term.
Thune is seen as a potential 2012 presidential aspirant. He defeated Democrat and then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle in a tight race six years ago.
Kansas Republican Rep. Jerry Moran won the race to replace Sam Brownback, a GOP conservative who left the Senate to run for governor.
New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand coasted to re-election. Gillibrand took over Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate seat when Clinton became secretary of state.
