TOLEDO, Ohio — Republicans maintained control of both congressional seats that were up for grabs in special elections Tuesday in Ohio and Virginia, disappointing Democrats who had hoped to extend their gains in the House.
In Ohio, a state representative defeated a Democrat making her third run for the seat. And in Virginia, a first-term state legislator easily won.
Both elections were to fill seats left vacant by deaths. Jo Ann Davis, who had represented a southeastern Virginia district for seven years, died of breast cancer in October. Rep. Paul Gillmor, first elected in a northwest Ohio district in 1988, died in a fall in September.
The winners of both races will complete the terms of Gillmor and Davis.
Democrats, who won control of the House last year 233-202, had hoped to benefit from the low turnout typical of special elections.
In Ohio, Republicans have held the state’s 5th District since the 1930s. At times, Democrats have all but conceded the seat by spending little money and trotting out candidates with limited political experience.
Bob Latta, a Republican state representative, had 55 percent of the vote and Democrat Robin Weirauch had 45 percent with 42 percent of the vote counted.
In Virginia, Rob Wittman, a first-term Republican state legislator, easily defeated Democrat Philip Forgit. In a very light turnout special election, he led by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio with more than 60 percent of the vote reported.
Wittman had a nearly 4-to-1 fundraising advantage and the benefit of being a Republican in a district where President Bush got 60 percent of the vote in 2004.
