THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Republican businessman Bob Turner has won a US Congress seat in a Democrat stronghold, dealing a major blow to President Barack Obama.
NY1 television reported that Mr Turner had defeated Democratic state and city legislator Dave Weprin in the election to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Weiner, who stepped down earlier this year following an online sex scandal.
NY1 said Mr Turner has won 53 per cent of votes compared to Mr Weprin's 47 per cent with three quarters of the ballots counted, guaranteeing the Republicans their first victory in the Queens and Brooklyn district since 1923.
Republicans had portrayed the race as a referendum on Mr Obama as he gears up for the 2012 White House race weakened by the sluggish economic recovery and weighed down by nine percent unemployment.
"This is an historical race. We have been asked by the people of this district to send a message to Washington, and I hope they hear it loud and clear," Mr Turner said in a televised victory speech.
"We are ready to say: 'Mister President, we are on the wrong track.'" » | Wednesday, September 14, 2011
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: US elections: Barack Obama's re-election prospects hit by historic loss of 'safe' New York seat: President Barack Obama's re-election prospects were dealt a double blow yesterday when Democrats lost a congressional seat they had held since 1923 and new figures showed American poverty at its highest level for 18 years. » | Toby Harnden, Washington | Wednesday, September 14, 2011
