Voters' frustration shows nationwide
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson talks about Tuesday's midterm elections.
By Fredreka Schouten
USA TODAY
Republicans powered into the House majority Tuesday night, as disgruntled voters tossed out Democratic incumbents across the country. In a single night, the GOP erased the Democratic gains of the last two election cycles.
Several Democratic stalwarts, including Texas Rep. Chet Edwards, a 20-year House veteran who oversees a military spending panel, lost seats they had held for decades.
Heading into Tuesday's election Republicans controlled 178 House seats, and needed to win 39 new seats to take the majority. The GOP had won 57 seats by early this morning, according to The Associated Press. It is the largest pickup by either party since 1948. . .
Committee chairmen hold significant clout in Congress, helping them to steer projects and spending to their home districts.
In a year marked by voter fury with Washington, "Bacon is now rotten pork," said Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University.
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