Hagan Defeats Dole; Dems Flip 5 Seats So Far

Kay Hagan defeated Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina and at least four other Democrats captured Republican seats in the Senate as the party inched toward a filibuster-proof goal of 60 seats, ABC News reports. It's going down to the wire. Democrats now have 56 seats, and four races remain undecided, including Al Franken's in Minnesota. Republicans got help with victories from Mitch McConnell in Kentucky and Roger Wicker in Mississippi.

Other Democratic winners were Mark Warner in Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire, Tom Udall in New Mexico, and Mark Udall in Colorado. The undecided races:

• Georgia: Saxby Chambliss (R) vs. Jim Martin (D). Saxby leads, but if he doesn't get 50%, a runoff will ensue.
• Minnesota: Norm Coleman (R) vs. Al Franken (D).
• Oregon: Gordon Smith (R) vs. Jeff Merkley (D).
• Alaska: Ted Stevens (R) vs. Mark Begich (D).

In Louisiana, Democratic incumbent Mary Landrieu defeated Republican John Kennedy in a tight race. (More Election 2008 stories.)