Republicans capture state houses in at least seven races

Lost in the GOP onslaught: governorships now held by Democrats in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Even so, there were a few bright spots for Democrats in the face of an anti-incumbent groundswell sweeping the nation, including key gubernatorial victories in California, New York, and Maryland.

In New York, Democrat Andrew Cuomo surged past Tea Party Republican Carl Paladino to win the governor’s seat, the same post his father, Mario Cuomo, had held two decades ago.

California voters have returned Democrat Jerry Brown to the governor’s office 28 years after he left it. Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland withstood a tough challenge from his predecessor, Robert Ehrlich, a Republican. And Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire and Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas, both Democrats, were also reelected.

Mayor John Hickenlooper of Denver, a Democrat, was elected Colorado governor despite a challenge from both Republican Dan Maes and immigration hard-liner Tom Tancredo, a former Republican House member. Hickenlooper replaces Governor Bill Ritter, a Democrat who did not run for reelection.

But most of the news for Democrats was gloomy, as the same wave that engulfed congressional Democrats took its toll on governor’s mansions.

In Democrat-leaning Pennsylvania, Republican Tom Corbett defeated Democrat Dan Onorato to replace Governor Ed Rendell, a Democrat facing term limits.

In Michigan, Republican businessman Rick Snyder, who vowed to turn around the state’s devastated economy, defeated Mayor Virg Bernero of Lansing, a Democrat.

And in Wisconsin, a Democratic-leaning state, conservative Republican Scott Walker rode tax-cut promises to victory over Democrat Tom Barrett. Two-term Democratic incumbent Governor Jim Doyle decided not to seek a third term.

In Oklahoma, US Representative Mary Fallin, a Republican, became the state’s first female governor. She defeated Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, a Democrat, to replace Governor Brad Henry, a Democrat who was facing term limits.