Democrats wrested governorship from the GOP in Texas, Florida and four other states yesterday in midterm elections that sealed a saason of Republican disappointment. Democrats also expanded their dominion of Congress in returns that heavily favored the incumbents.

North Carolina GOP Sen. Jesse Helms won re-election in the most closely watched Senate race of 34 on the ballot.

Upsets were few and far between, despite stirrings of voter discontent. House Republican Whip Newt Gingrich defeated his opponent in Georgia by only 1000 votes and Democratic Sen. Bill Bradley was pressed before winning a dramatic reelection in New Jersey.

Democrats elected Ann Richards as governor of Texas and Lawton Chiles in Florida, giving them the last word in redistricting that will add House seats to both Sunbelt states for the next decade.

In California, Republican Pete Wilson was leading San Fransisco Mayor Diane Feinstein, 51 percent to 44 percent early this morning.

Democrats easily renewed their majority in the Sente, and in the House as well, where they aimed to improve their 259-176 majority.

The GOP got food news in Ohio, where George Voinovich won a Democratic governorship, and in Connecticut where Gary Franks become the first Black House Republican since 1935.

Sen. Lowell Weicker vexed the GOP again, this time as an outsider, with an independent victory for governor of Connecticut. Republican Gov. Kay Orr was trailing, barely, in Nebraska.

Vermont sent Socialist Bernie Sanders to the House--in place of a Republican. But former GOP Gov. Richard Snelling won his old job back, and with it, the statehouse for his party.

Hours after the polls closed, there was no shortage of close statehouse races:

John Engler led Democratic Gov. James Blanchard in a Michigan surprise.

GOP Gov. John McKernan clung to a lead over former Gov. Joseph Brennan in Maine.

Illinois GOP Secretary of State Jim Edgar led Neil Hartigan narrowly in Illinois.

Democrat Rudy Perpich trailed Arne Carlson in a tough Minnesota race marked by Republican turmoil. Carlson was on the ballot only because Jon Grunseth dropped out in late October over allegations of sexual improprieties.

Dan Rather Grieves