Barack Obama is the next president of the United States. Acknowledging that a litany of difficult challenges lie ahead, Obama says he’s “never been more hopeful” that the country would be able to respond. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have added to their rolls, though a filibuster-proof majority is probably now unlikely. Not one incumbent Senate Democrat lost. Democrats in the House have added at least 15 seats, including the last Republican-held House seat in New England. LOCALLY, THERE WAS AN UPSET IN TENNESSEE’S 2ND HOUSE DISTRICT RACE. REPUBLICAN TONY SHIPLEY HAS UPSET DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT NATHAN VAUGHN IN A REALLY CLOSE RACE. THE MARGIN BETWEEN THE TWO WAS ONE PERCENT. JOHNSON CITY MAYOR PHIL ROE WILL BE HEADING TO WASHINGTON AFTER WINNING THE 1ST DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT CURRENTLY HELD BY DAVID DAVIS. TENNESSEE GOP LT. GOVERNOR RON RAMSEY WAS EASILY RE-ELECTED OVER HIS CHALLENGER BILL JONES. REPUBLICAN JON LUNDBERG HELD ONTO HIS STATE HOUSE SEAT. HAWKINS COUNTY REPUBLICAN MIKE FAULK RECORDED A MAJOR VICTORY BY WINNING THE 4TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT RACE AGAINST INDEPENDENT INCUMBENT MIKE WILLIAMS. A RECALL ELECTION IN BLUFF CITY HAS FAILED. MAYOR TODD MALONE, VICE MAYOR J.C. GENTRY, ALDERMAN DON WEAVER AND ALDERWOMAN IRENE WELLS WILL KEEP THEIR JOBS. IN VIRGINIA, 9TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN RICK BOUCHER RAN UNOPPOSED WHILE FORMER GOVERNOR MARK WARNER HAD NO PROBLEM DEFEATING FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR JIM GILMORE.