Republicans win Anthony Weiner's New York district

Posted by Ron at 12:22 AM

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Republican Bob Turner won the traditionally Democratic ninth district in New York

President Barack Obama has been dealt a double setback after Republican wins in two seats, including one billed as a referendum on his economic policies.

In New York, Republican Bob Turner won a key election to succeed Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner, who quit in June over a sex texting scandal.
The retired media executive becomes the first Republican to take office in the New York's ninth district since the 1920s.
Meanwhile, Mark Amodei defeated Democrat Kate Marshall in Nevada.
Addressing jubilant supporters after his win, Mr Turner said people had voted against the president's "irresponsible" fiscal policy.
Backed by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Mr Turner said the vote was a "referendum" on President Obama.
Correspondents say losing the election will be a symbolic blow to the White House at a moment when President Obama is beginning his bid for re-election amid low approval ratings.
Anthony Weiner, who served in the House for seven terms, resigned in June after it emerged he had sent a series of images to a number of different women via Twitter.
'Wrong track' With three quarters of ballots counted, Mr Turner won 53% of votes compared to Democratic state assemblyman David Weprin's 47%, NY1 television reported.
Mr Turner said the result sent a "loud and clear" message to Washington.
"We've been told this is a referendum. Mr President, we are on the wrong track. We have had it with an irresponsible fiscal policy which endangers the entire economy," Mr Turner told supporters, according to AP.
The ninth district, encompassing parts of southern Brooklyn and south-central Queens, has long been a traditional Democratic stronghold.
Registered Republican voters are outnumbered in the traditionally blue-collar, Catholic and Orthodox Jewish district by a margin of three to one.
During the current campaign, the president has been the focus of Republican attacks at least as much as David Weprin, a member of the New York state assembly and the actual Democratic candidate.
In response, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had reportedly spent more than $500,000 (£320,000) on TV advertisements.
Former President Bill Clinton and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have recorded phone messages for registered Democrats in an effort to win over undecided voters.
Meanwhile in Nevada, Republican Mark Amodei won the election to fill a vacant seat in the House of Representatives.
Mr Amodei beat Democrat Kate Marshall in the rural northern Nevada district that has never elected a Democrat.
The previous post-holder, Republican Dean Heller, was appointed from the House to the Senate in May to replace Republican John Ensign, who resigned over a sex scandal.