By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, KY-2

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, 1 a.m. -- U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis successfully defended his 2nd Kentucky Congressional seat last night in an election that was probably tougher fought than most district Republicans anticipated.

Former state Rep. Mike Weaver touted his military experience and leadership in his congressional campaign, fending off criticism of his role in a National Guard pay-for-promotion scandal.

Weaver won at least 20 of the county's 26 voting precincts, and with nearly all the returns in, was leading the incumbent by about 500 votes.

But in other parts of Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District -- particularly in GOP strongholds -- Lewis fared much better. With 93 percent of congressional precincts reporting, Lewis leads Weaver by approximately 20,000 votes.

CONGRESSIONAL UPSET. Veteran Rep. Ann Northup (KY-3), was narrowly defeated by former LEO publisher and millionaire John Yarmuth. Voter turnout in the Jefferson County district was heavy, and political pundits weren't sure early on if the turnout would help or hurt the incumbent.

Yarmuth stayed on message during his campaign, citing a need for change in the district's congressional representation.

Apparently, some political pundits noted electoral momentum swinging toward Yarmuth. On Monday, the Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan politics web site, changed their ranking of Northup's congressional race from "Lean Republican" to "Tossup."

According to ABC's Web site, Yarmuth beat Northup by approximately 7,000 votes.

OTHER KENTUCKY CONGRESSIONAL RACES. Freshman Rep. Geoff Davis, (KY-4), squeaked past former congressman Ken Lucas to keep his seat. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Davis leads Lucas by about 15,000 votes.

Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-1) will keep his seat, as will Hal Robers (KY-5) and Democrat Ben Chandler (KY-6).

Congressional control?

At press time, Democrats had gained 24 Republican-held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and were leaning to gain an additional 15 for a total of 233. Republicans appear to be set to wind up with 202 seats in the House. The win puts Rep. Nancy Pelosi in position to be the first woman Speaker of the House -- and the first liberal in that position in more than a dozen years.

The GOP appears to be set to retain a majority in the U.S. Senate at press time.