National Tally V.S. Senate 53-47 U.S. House 232-202 U.S. Senate Virginia Charles Robb (D) Oliver North (R) Tennessee Jim Cooper (D) Fred Thompson (R) Bill Frisk (R) / Jim Sasser (D) U.S. Hoi se Illinois Michael Flanagan (R) *Dan Rostenkowski (D) Goverors California *PeteV4ilson.(R) Kathleen Brown (D) Florida Jeb Bush (R) *Lawton Chiles (D) Massachussetts *William F. Weld (R) Mark Roosevelt (D) New York George E. Pataki (R) *Mario M. Cuomo (D) Texas George W. Bush (R) *Ann Richards (D) Illinois *Jim Edgar (R) Dawn Clark Netsch (D) * denotes incumbent Governorships 30-19 Republicans lead in all three categories. One hundred four years of editorial freedom *rn1 Republicans reclaim House, Senate after 40 years Abraham takes open Senate seat By JONATHAN BERNDT and SCOT WOODS Daily Staff Reporters LANSING - Republican Spence raham, transformed from behind- tre-scenes strategist to successful can- didate, was elected to the U.S. Senate yesterday, defeating Democratic U.S. Rep. Bob Carr. With 78 percent of precincts re- porting unofficial returns, Abraham had 1,207,588 votes or 52 percent to 1,500,334 votes or 43 percent for Carr. Libertarian Jon Coon had 95,978 votes or 4 percent. * In becoming Michigan's first Re- publican U.S. senator since 1979, Abraham, a former state party chair- man, helped the GOP retake control of the U.S. Senate. Abraham told joyous supporters he would keep his campaign promise "to shake up Washington with the ideas that have worked in Michigan. e will get it done." Looking ahead to the prospect of a publican-controlled Senate, he said voters could expect "less taxes, less spending, less government regula- tion." "I'm going to hopefully be able to help ...-the middle-class, hardworking families of Michigan keep more of what they earn," Abraham said. Standing next to Gov. John Engler adhiswife, Michelle, Abrahamjoked the would teach the re-elected governor how to change dirty dia- pers. Mrs. Engler is pregnant with triplets, due sometime in December. "You taught me how to win an election. I'll teach you how to change diapers," he joked. See ABRAHAM, Page 2 From Staff and Wire Reports The Republican Party made sweeping electoral gains in yesterday's midterm elections, taking control of both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years. Associated Press estimates at 3:15 a.m. gave the Republicans a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate and a 232-202-1 majority in the U.S. House, the first time since 1954. The Republicans appear to have picked up 54 votes in the House, nine Senate seats and 10 governorships. Riding a tide of voter discontent, the GOP captured a string of governorships. Ann Richards fell to George W. Bush in Texas and Mario Cuomo lost in New York as persistent misgivings about President Clinton propelled the Republicans into power. Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, a Democrat, held a narrow lead over Republican Jeb Bush at press time. This tide also swept out former Ways and Means Committee chairman Dan Rostenkowski, a 36-year vet- eran indicted in May on federal corruption charges. He was defeated by Republican Michael Flanagan, an un- known lawyer. Republicans did not lose any of their U.S. Senate seats, while knocking off at least one incumbent, Ten- nessee Sen. Jim Sasser. In another Tennessee Senate race, Fred Dalton Thompson defeated Rep. Jim Cooper. In one of the few Democratic Senate wins, Sen. Charles Robb put back a strong challenge from former Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North. In Oklahoma, GOP Rep. James M. Inhofe defeated Rep. Dave McCurdy, a Democrat, to replace outgoing Democratic Sen. David Boren. In Ohio, Republican Lt. Gov. Mike DeWine defeated attorney Joel Hyatt, a Democrat, in a seat held by Hyatt's father-in-law, retir- ing Democratic Sen. Howard Metezenbaum. See SWEEP, Page 2 DOUGLAS KANTER/Daily Gov. John Engler addresses an audience of cheering supporters in Lansing last night. Behind him stands Senator-elect Spence Abraham. Gov. Engler routs Wolpe in state GOP sweep Ballot Proposals constitutional convention Yes 29% No 71% Proposal B automatic appeal Yes 71% No 29% Insurance reform Yes 42% No 58% Pa t , parks endowment Yam 74% By JONATHAN BERNDT Daily Staff Reporter LANSING - Gov. John Engler, riding a wave of voter confidence, easily defeated Democratic challenger Howard Wolpe with more than 78 percent of the votes reported last night. With more than half of the pre- cincts tallied, the Republican gover- nor received 1,460,292 votes. Wolpe, who admitted defeat less than two hours after the polls closed, received 923,262 votes. L ocal U.S. House rac By ZACHARY M. RAIMI and JOSH WHITE Daily Staff Reporters Lynn Rivers and John Schall pacl their parties and headed for tense cai headquarters. Supporters headed home tc the late-coming tallies on television. The overall mood was somber as resi a.m. indicated a virtual dead heat for tf Congressional seat. With 70 percent of-the precincts rep Democrat Rivers held a slim lead with cent of the vote to Republican Scha percent, The Associated Press reported. candidates held three percent of the total an election that will determine who will seat vacated by Democrat William F Ypsilanti. Crhall farQma a inhilant rmow at hic r, As the stage filled with volunteers and staffers just a little over an hour after the polls closed, Engler saved his biggest and most important thankyou for the people who voted in this landslide election. "And to the voters all across the state of Michigan who said yes to lower taxes, better schools and more jobs: Thank you very much," he said. The election's numbers and tim- ing were reminiscent of then-Gov. James Blanchard's landslide victory in his first re-election campaign over Republican William Lucas in 1986. Wolpe appeared before his back- ers at 9:45 p.m. to tell them he had called Engler and conceded. In a graceful statement, Wolpe congratu- lated Engler and thanked his staff for their support. In a tongue-and-cheek gesture of goodwill, Wolpe offered the Englers, who are expecting triplets later this months, three adorable stuffed ani- mals. Horni over regent incumbents By LISA DINES appear to be defeated. and RONNIE GLASSBERG "What will be different is the Daily Staff Reporters board will lose two people who Twenty-four years of service on the each served for 24 years ... who Board of Regents did not protect two have brought a wealth of knowl- Democratic incumbents from losing to edge, history and experience to the Republicans, thanks in part to Gov. John board in recent years and will be Engler's coattails, replaced by two young people, both According to early returns it appears in their 30s, who will bring energy Republicans Andrea Fischer of Birming- and enthusiasm, but not the experi- ham and Daniel Horning of Grand Rap- ence that the two senior regents ids won the seats yesterday. With 50 have," said Walter Harrison, vice percent of the vote counted, incumbent president for University relations. "We hope these three Democratic donkeys add a little diversity to the nursery," Wolpe said. The defeated Democrat reminded the crowd of about 300 gathered at the Detroit Westin Hotel why we ran for governor, telling them to fight on. He stressed the importance of quality public education, collective bargain- ing rights and a government used to unify, not divide people. MARK FRIEDMAN/Da "Our fight for these principles must Howard Wolpe concedes defeat to See ENGLER, Page 2 Gov. Engler in Detroit yesterday gFischer "lead Fischer MOLLY STEVENS/Daily Lynn Rivers, candidate for U.S. House, thanks supporters at Paesano's last night. Democrats Paul Brown of Mackinac Is- land and James Waters of Musk n See REGENTS, Page 8 A& race "too early" to call. "I don't feel comfortable making a predic- tion at this point," she said. Schall's speech was merely a "goodbye" with no speculation as to the outcome of the race He anrpee the rce was still undecided Horning Sheldon wins 2d term as A mayor By JAMES NASH and MICHELLE LEE THOMPSON Daily Staff Reporters Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon coasted to cplehra- I