Delaware

Tea party-backed conservative activist Christine O'Donnell is the GOP nominee for the Senate seat Vice President Joe Biden held for 36 years. Sen. Ted Kaufman, appointed to fill the seat last year, is not running for a full term. Delaware's Republican establishment lined up behind longtime Rep. Mike Castle and openly attacked O'Donnell as unelectable. But with the help of Sarah Palin's endorsement, she upset Castle in the Sept. 14 primary. Democrats hope voters in this usually moderate state will find O'Donnell's brand of conservatism too extreme. They're counting on their nominee, Chris Coons, to keep the seat in the blue column and help prevent the Republicans from gaining a majority in the Senate.Democrats expect to pick up Castle's House seat. There is no election for governor this year.Obama won Delaware in 2008.