Spotlight: Election Day

A strain of anti-incumbent fever swept through the electorate Nov. 3 as cranky voters replaced two Democratic governors with Republicans and elected a Democrat to an upstate New York House seat that the GOP has long controlled. Maine voters rejected a law allowing gay marriage. Republicans sought to frame wins in Virginia and New Jersey as rejections of President Obama and a grim omen for his party in next year's congressional battles. But with economic angst and regional concerns dominant in most races, politics this year appeared primarily local.

New Jersey

GOVERNOR

In a coup for the GOP, former federal prosecutor Christie ousted Corzine in a heavily Democratic state where Obama won by 15 points. A sputtering economy, high property taxes and a massive public corruption scandal involving several Corzine allies all took their toll on the incumbent.

Chris Christie (R.) 49%

Jon Corzine (D.) 45%

Chris Daggett (I.) 6%

New York

23RD DISTRICT, U.S. HOUSE

The biggest setback for conservatives came in a special election for the upstate seat, won by a Democrat for the first time in generations. The Republican in the race bowed out after being deemed too liberal by national figures like Sarah Palin, who backed Hoffman. His loss may complicate conservatives' 2010 electoral strategy.

Bill Owens (D.) 49%

Doug Hoffman (Conservative) 45%

96% of precincts reporting

Virginia

GOVERNOR

McDonnell will be the state's first Republican governor in eight years after his decisive win. (Republicans swept all three statewide offices.) Once a GOP stronghold, Virginia emerged as a swing state after backing Obama last year. But unlike in 2008, independents favored the Republican, who sidelined social issues to run as a pragmatist.

Bob McDonnell (R.) 59%

Creigh Deeds (D.) 41%

New York City

MAYOR

Bloomberg won a third term by a surprisingly small margin, despite spending more than $85 million on the race. Many New Yorkers deemed the billionaire out of touch and resented his role in overturning term limits.

Michael Bloomberg (I.) 51%

Bill Thompson (D.) 46%

Atlanta

MAYOR

After none of six candidates won a majority in the nonpartisan race, city-council member Norwood will face former state lawmaker Reed in a Dec. 1 runoff. Norwood would be Atlanta's first white mayor in 36 years.

Mary Norwood 46%

Kasim Reed 36%

Lisa Borders 15%

Maine

GAY MARRIAGE

Supporters of gay rights took another hit as Maine became the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box. But a Washington State measure allowing gay civil unions appeared likely to pass.

No 53%

Yes 47%