The Plains

Kansas

John McCain took the solidly Republican state's six electoral votes easily, 56.8 percent to Barack Obama's 41.4 percent. Despite Obama's roots here -- his mother was born in the Jayhawk State -- McCain always led in polls. Two-thirds of a sample of Republican voters said they were dissatisfied with President Bush's tenure but were supporting GOP candidates anyway.

Sen. Pat Roberts (R) won a third term with 60 percent of the vote, beating Democrat Jim Slattery.

In a big upset, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D) lost her bid for a second term after her surprising win in the 2006 Democratic tide. State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R) took the seat with 50.8 percent of the vote.

In other House races, incumbents Jerry Moran (R), Dennis Moore (D) and Todd Tiahrt (R) all won reelection by wide margins.

Nebraska

McCain bested Obama in this heavily Republican state by a muscular 57 percent to 41 percent. Nebraska is one of only two states to allocate its electoral votes by congressional district, but the winner eventually took all five.

The 2nd Congressional District, centered in Omaha, became a mini-battleground because of the Obama campaign's heavy push to register new Democratic voters there and win its electoral vote. Republican Rep. Lee Terry beat Democrat Jim Esch 52 percent to 47.5 percent to hold onto his House seat, but the race was close most of the night and was not called until early yesterday morning.

Statewide voter turnout nudged past 67 percent but did not exceed earlier records, as had been projected.

Mike Johanns, a former governor and former U.S. agriculture secretary, handily won the Senate seat of retiring Chuck Hagel (R), a onetime McCain ally who declined to endorse his fellow Republican. Democrat Scott Kleeb trailed with less than 40 percent.

Two incumbent Republicans, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith, crushed their challengers and won reelection to the House by more than 2 to 1.

North Dakota

Although North Dakota had been considered a possible swing state for the first time in four decades, McCain won its three electoral votes decisively, 53 percent to 44.7 percent, in keeping with the state's long history of supporting Republicans. Sixty-five percent of voters went to the polls.

McCain survived the anger of local farmers and business leaders over his criticism of ethanol subsidies -- a huge issue in this corn-growing state. Obama got less bounce from the flap than anticipated, largely because his campaign folded its operation in the state when the first post-convention polls showed McCain with a comfortable lead.

Republican John Hoeven (R), currently the nation's longest-serving governor, won a third term, crushing state Sen. Tim Mathern (D) 3 to 1.

But Democratic Rep. Earl Pomeroy won reelection over Republican Duane Sand.

South Dakota

McCain easily won with 53 percent to Obama's 45 percent in this solidly Republican state.

And for the second time, voters rejected, 55 percent to 45 percent, a ban on abortions except in the case of incest, rape and serious threat to the woman's health.

Sen. Tim Johnson (D), who missed most of 2007 while recuperating from a brain hemorrhage, sailed to victory over little-known state Rep. Joel Dykstra (R). The GOP initially targeted Johnson, but Republican heavyweights passed on the race.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D) was reelected handily, beating Republican Chris Lien.

Voter turnout nudged just over 73 percent, shy of the record of 78.6 percent in 2004.