Some Republicans caused their own problems. Sen. George Allen (R) injured himself by publicly taunting a Democratic campaign worker who is Indian American and by awkwardly handling news of his Jewish ancestry. Democrat James Webb, a former Reagan administration official, remained locked in a tight battle with Allen early today.

In Montana, scandals and gaffes hurt Sen. Conrad Burns (R) during the summer, and he spent the fall trying to catch Democrat Jon Tester. Burns accepted contributions from -- and aided the clients of -- Abramoff, the disgraced lobbyist. He also publicly criticized out-of-state firefighters who had come to Montana's aid. Tester, president of the state Senate, said the three-term incumbent was out of touch with his constituents after 18 years in Washington.

The Tennessee race to replace departing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) drew national attention, in part because of controversial ads aimed at Democratic nominee Harold E. Ford Jr., who is black. Former Chattanooga mayor Bob Corker said Ford, a five-term House member from Memphis, was too liberal for the state, and won a narrow victory.

In New Jersey, Sen. Robert Menendez (D) held off a strong challenge by Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr., who had accused him of having of ties to corrupt state officials and contractors.

In Maryland, the GOP hoped to capture the seat of retiring Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D) by nominating a high-profile African American, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele. But Democratic Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin's by-the-books campaign, which stressed his 20 years in the House, made him the winner.

In Minnesota, Republicans once had high hopes of grabbing the seat being vacated by Sen. Mark Dayton (D). But Rep. Mark Kennedy (R) fell to Amy Klobuchar (D), the Hennepin County attorney.

The Senate will have two independent members who will caucus with the Democrats: Lieberman and Rep. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, a self-described socialist who succeeded the retiring Sen. James M. Jeffords, also an independent. In New York, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) breezed past GOP challenger John Spencer, positioning her for what many believe will be a 2008 presidential bid.

The GOP failed to recruit strong candidates in several Republican-leaning states, resulting in easy reelections for Democrats Kent Conrad (N.D.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.). Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) handily defeated mistake-prone Rep. Katherine Harris (R), who had played a key role in the president's contested win in Florida in 2000. Republicans once hoped to oust Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D), but she defeated Michael Bouchard (R).

In Arizona, Sen. Jon Kyl (R) survived a challenge from former Democratic Party official Jim Pederson. In Nevada, Sen. John Ensign (R) defeated Jack Carter (D), son of former president Jimmy Carter. And in Washington state, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) fended off insurance executive Mike McGavick (R).

Democratic winners also included Thomas R. Carper (Del.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Daniel K. Akaka (Hawaii), Jeff Bingaman (N.M.), Herb Kohl (Wis.), Robert C. Byrd (W.Va.) and Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.). GOP winners included Richard G. Lugar (Ind.), Olympia J. Snowe (Maine), Kay Bailey Hutchison (Tex.), Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), Craig Thomas (Wyo.) and Trent Lott (Miss.).