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The Chronicle
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8. 2006
THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
Dems win House in landslide
ONE
’
HUNDRED AND SECOND YEAR, ISSUE 52
NIFONG HOLDS OFF CHEEK
Senate too close to call, Mont, Va. results up in air by
Liz Sidoti
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Democrats won control of the House
early Wednesday after a dozen years ofRepublican rule in a resounding repudiation of a war, a president and a
scandal-scarred Congress. “From sea to shining sea, the American voted for people change,” declared Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the hardcharging California Democrat in line to become the nation’s first female House speaker. The White House made plans for President Bush to call the speaker-in-waiting first thing in the morning; he will enter his final two years in office with at least half of Congress in the opposition party’s hands. “It’s been kind of tough out there,” conceded House Speaker Dennis Hasten, R-111., who won a 11th term. Presidential spokesman Tony Snow observed, “It’s not like a slap on the forehead kind of shock.” By press time early Wednesday, Democrats had won 227 seats, enough for control, and were leading for another 6, which would give them 233. Republicans, who hold 229 seats in the current House, SEE DEM. VICTORY ON PAGE
Turnout
9
not
MATT NEWCOMB/THE CHRONICLE
DurhamDistrict Attorney Mike Nifong looks on as hehears results about his DA victory. He beat challengers Lewis Cheek and Steve Monks but did not get a majority.
Many students dissatisfied with incumbent DA's victory Rob Copeland THE CHRONICLE
by
Mike Nifong was re-elected as Durham District Attorney Tuesday night, capping off a race that attracted national attention in the wake of the lacrosse scandal. Nifong, a Democrat, received just less than half of the approximately 53,000 votes cast, garnering 49.1 percent of the vote. Lewis Cheek, an unaffiliatedcandidate, received 39.3 percent. Write-in candidate Steve Monks, a Republican, received the remaining 11.6 percent. “I’m relieved to have it over,” Nifong said after viewing the results. “It’s only fair to say that winning is not an unmitigated blessing because I have the hardest job in Durham for the next four years.” He said he viewed the results as an af-
firmation ofhis work as district attorney. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m doing the job the right way,” he said. Although Nifong declined to comment direcdy on the lacrosse scandal, some ofhis supporters endorsed his handling of the case. “He made a human response to a terrible thing that came to light,” said Douglas Nydick, a Durham resident and former prosecutor in Brooklyn. Cheek was subdued as the results came in, standing mere feet from Nifong as the vote totals were announced at the Old Durham Courthouse in the heart of downtown. “This election was never about me, it SEE NIFONG ON PAGE 10
2 men's lacrosse players watch as the results of Tuesday's district attorney election were released.
dampened by rain Price wins 10th term in House by
David Graham
THE CHRONICLE
Despite steady rain showers Tuesday, turnout at the polling station serving West Campus was the highest it
JIANGHAI HO/THE CHRONICLE
Membersof Students for an Ethical Durham, including players on the men's lacrosse team, stand outside the Patterson voting station.
had been in years, election officials said. W.I. Patterson Recreation Center, the polling station for Precinct 5, was abuzz all day as students and Durham residents braved the weather to cast their ballots. “We’re double the average we usually have—we’re getting up to 500 [at 5:30 p.m.], and usually we have about 125 all day,” said Douglas Register, who has been an election judge at the site for four years. “It’s been a steady stream throughout the day.” Although foul weather usually depresses voter turnout, in a heated race its effects are harder to predict, said Kristin Goss, assistant professor of political science and public policy. “Whatever negative effects are more than offset by SEE VOTING ON PAGE 8
Adam Eaglin THE CHRONICLE
by
Rep. David Price, D-Dist. 4, was re-elected Tuesday night to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, defeat-
ing Republican challenger Steve Acuff. With all precincts reporting, Price won with about 65 percent of the vote. The Price campaign could not be reached for comment A Duke professor of political science and public policy, Price has been on leave to perform his duties in Washington. Acuff is a retired Air Force colonel and Raleigh businessman. “I feel very much SEE PRICE ON PAGE 7