In what’s turning out to be a bad night for Republicans, the last Republican congressman in my state of Connecticut and in New England, Christopher Shays, has been defeated to housing executive Democrat Jim Himes.

In recent days, the 4th district in Connecticut had been tight, and it wasn’t unreasonable to think the Shays might hold on.  After all, he is a moderate Republican.  However, even some of the most moderate Republicans can be swept out of office.  That was shown in 2006 when Republican Rob Simmons was defeated by Democrat Joe Courtney (who’s holding onto his office by a significant amount this year).

In what should be hopeful news to the Republicans, Senator Susan Collins of Maine will hold on to her seat.  Collins won by a significant amount; it wasn’t even close.  Hopefully this means that it will be more difficult for the Democrats to get a supermajority in the Senate.