UIGEA sponsors in close U.S. election race

Government supporters of an unpopular bill preventing gamblers from placing online bets face U.S. voters in mid-term elections today, and polls suggest many are facing a tight race.

All of the 435 seats in the House of Congress are up for grabs, as well as 33 Senate seats. While the Republicans - the party responsible for the recent Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) and Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (IPGA) - now hold a majority in both governing bodies, many pollsters indicate the Democrats could be poised to take both the U.S. Senate and the House.

Several Republican sponsors of the bills are in a dead heat in the election. Recent polls show Rob Simmons (R-Conn.), a co-sponsor of the IGPA, leads his Democratic counterpart by only 2%, holding on to 46% of local voters, while Joe Courtney has 44% support.

Incumbent Jim Leach (R-Iowa), a UIGEA supporter, trails his competition by only 1%, local polls suggest. The poll also has IGPA co-sponsor J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz) leading the democratic candidate 50% to 45%.

Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), a IGPA co-sponsor seeking reelection, trails Democratic politician Patricia Madrid by 3% - Madrid holding 45% voter support, local pollsters say.

Though early polls put Charlie Bass (R-N.H.) ahead of the competition, recent surveys have Bass falling behind with 37% support to the Democrats' 45%, while 14% remained undecided prior to election day.

Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) is at the heels of Democratic candidate Diane Farrell according to pollsters, hanging on to 43% of expected voters to Farrell's 47%.

In New York local polls suggest UIGEA supporter Sue Kelly, Republican, is neck and neck with John Hall, the Democrat who currently leads the race for a Congress seat 49% to Kelly's 47%.

Today, the Democrats need to take 15 seats to hold a majority in the House of Congress and net six seats in the Senate for the balance of power.

courtesy of Erin Warner

News Added: 08 November, 2006

Number of views : 758