Republican governors prevail in US midterm elections

Republican governors in Florida, Kansas, Michigan and Wisconsin fended off Democratic challengers on Tuesday in four hard-fought contests that proved wrong predictions of punishment for incumbents over an uneven economy and fiscal problems.The big wins at the state level reinforced the good showing nationwide for Republicans, who captured control of the US Senate in the midterm elections, setting up a complicated end to Obama's second term.

Republicans also won back the governorships in three Democratic strongholds, Massachusetts, Maryland and President Barack Obama's home state of Illinois, according to projections after polls closed in most of the United States.