Control of the Senate depends on one narrow race that has kept the political spotlight and the nation's attention on the region.

Alabama
 

As much of the nation turned toward the Democrats, Alabama continued a long-term trend of Southern states becoming more solidly Republican.

Gov. Bob Riley was unpopular through much of his term, and Democrats had hopes of unseating him. But he won a second term and made it look easy, soundly beating Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley in a race that had seemed competitive six months ago.

Jim Folsom, a Democratic former governor and lieutenant governor, and the son of a governor, made a comeback by winning a tight race for lieutenant governor. But over all, Republicans made gains in races for state offices.

When he began his term, Mr. Riley alienated Democrats by quashing plans for casino gambling. Then he angered conservatives by proposing a tax increase, a measure voters overwhelmingly rejected. ... more