Saxby Chambliss Retains U.S. Senate Seat In Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) - Senator Saxby Chambliss won re-election Tuesday in a runoff, dashing Democrats’ hopes of capturing enough seats in the U.S. Senate to thwart Republican filibusters.

Chambliss’ win to a second term gives the GOP a firewall against Democrats eager to flex their newfound political muscle in Washington. The monthlong runoff battle against Democrat Jim Martin captured the national limelight, drawing political luminaries from both parties to the state and flooding the airwaves with fresh attack ads.

With 90 percent of the precincts counted, Chambliss has 59 percent of the votes, compared with Martin’s 41 percent.

Chambliss and Martin were forced into the runoff after a three-way race during last month’s general election failed to give any of the candidates at least 50 percent.

For runoff election results, click here.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)