Guide to the key results in US midterms

As widely predicted the Democrats lost ground to the Republicans in the US midterms, but not all the key battles went against President Obama as the governing party retained control of the Senate.

NEVADA

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid won the country's most high-profile Senate race after a brutal battle with Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle.

"The bell that just rang isn't the end of the fight. It's the start of the next round," Reid told jubilant supporters in Nevada.

ILLNOIS

Among the victories for the Republicans in the Senate was President Obama's old seat in Illinois, captured by congressman Mark Kirk.

The loss by state Democratic treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was seen as an embarrassment for Mr Obama and his party in a state that typically leans Democratic.

FLORIDA

Republican Marco Rubio became the one of first Tea Party-backed candidates to win a Senate seat, ensuring an influx of conservative views into the upper house.

DELAWARE

Another Tea Party favorite, Republican Christine O'Donnell in Delaware, lost her race.

Backed by Sarah Palin, she has become one of the most prominent faces of the right-wing grassroots movement. However, her notoriety failed to translate into votes as she was defeated by Chris Coons.

KENTUCKY

Another Tea Party-backed candidate, Rand Paul, claimed victory in Kentucky - a seat which the Democrats had hoped to win.

In his victory speech, Mr Paul declared that a "Tea Party tidal wave is sending a message (to Congress)".

CALIFORNIA

Democrat Jerry Brown won in California in the race to succeed Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Senator Barbara Boxer won re-election in a tough race, beating former Hewlett-Packard Co Chief Executive Carly Fiorina to mark a double victory for Democrats over Republican newcomers from Silicon Valley.