Vote results

FRANKFORT — As Democratic candidates rolled to victory Tuesday in many other states, those in Kentucky did little more than tread water.

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell will return to Washington as the titular head of a party that has lost the presidency and seen its congressional ranks diminished.

Fighting against a national Democratic tide, U.S. Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell survived what he called an "exhausting" re-election race and emerged as the nation's most powerful Republican.

No state House incumbents lost a race for re-election Tuesday, but Democrats posted a net gain of one seat.

No state House incumbents lost a race for re-election Tuesday, but Democrats posted a net gain of one seat.

Republicans defended their turf in key state Senate races to maintain a comfortable majority and greatly reduce the Democrats' chances of reclaiming the chamber any time soon.

Madison County residents will have to wait until at least 11:30 p.m. for election results from the county.

Little will change in Kentucky's congressional delegation next year, with five U.S. House incumbents re-elected Tuesday and Republicans holding onto the sixth seat, vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia.

DANVILLE — Voters rejected a measure that would have forced a change in the way Danville city government does business.

District Judge Julie Muth Goodman narrowly edged out seven other contenders Tuesday to keep the Fayette County judgeship she was appointed to in August.

Although Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in Kentucky, most of the state's voters sided with Republican John McCain instead of Democrat Barack Obama for president.

The former mayor of a Texas town won a nail-biter election to represent Lexington's 5th Urban County Council District.

Fayette County voting officials moved the Meadowthorpe Precinct early Tuesday morning after electrical problems developed.

It didn't pay to be first. The line of early-bird voters at the Lexington Fire Department's headquarters on Third Street snaked around the building in the dark and down in front of a Marathon gas station, where some people stopped for coffee Tuesday morning before waiting to cast their vote.

The state's largest and most complicated voting problem Tuesday took place in Northern Kentucky's Kenton County, where a glitch in electronic voting machines affected straight-ticket votes.

With her campaign-style bus and adoring crowds, Sarah Palin's swing through red zones of bluish states to promote her new book has appeared to be something more than a book tour.

The Senate voted 60-39 Saturday to clear the way for consideration of historic legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system, but reluctant Democratic moderates sent strong signals that the bill has an uncertain future.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson offered to pay $1,000 a month to one of three girls who had accused him of inappropriately touching her while she was involved in his St. HOPE Hood Corps program, the girl told federal agents during their investigation of Johnson's nonprofit St. HOPE organization last year.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings. What he got, however, was just more complaints.

The dollar chase never stops for California incumbents and challengers alike, who keep busy raising campaign funds for themselves and for others.

If you're considering Botox to erase frown lines or liposuction to get rid of love handles, you might want to move fast. The "botax" may be on the way.

Senate Democrats Saturday appeared likely to get the 60 votes they need to keep their health care legislation moving forward - but reluctant party moderates sent strong signals that the bill's future remains uncertain.

Two Democratic senators say the health care overhaul bill now going to the Senate floor for debate is a key to saving jobs and reducing the spiraling American budget deficit.

A leading Democratic senator says the proposed health care overhaul must pass the Senate by the end of the year, so that lawmakers can begin to concentrate on the economy and job creation.

Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer says health care reform that includes a public option can pass the Senate.

A moderate Democratic senator who voted to allow debate over a health care bill says he might not support the bill in its next hurdle in the Senate.

A Democratic senator says moderates in his party shouldn't be allowed to dictate the terms of the health care debate and that the final bill should include a government-run option for Americans lacking insurance.

Lawmakers broke along party lines on a new aspect of the health care debate Sunday as a former National Institutes of Health chief urged women to ignore guidelines that delay the start of breast cancer screenings.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver wanted people to stop complaining for a day and count their blessings.