STATE RACES: GOP keeping a grip on El Paso County

Barack Obama's long coattails might have helped elect Colorado Democrats statewide and in other counties, but they didn't extend to El Paso County's races for state House and Senate.

As of about 10:30 p.m., GOP candidates had strong advantages in 9 of the 11 up-for-grabs seats.

The one apparent winner from the Democratic Party was Michael Merrifield, who is facing Republican Kate Szot for a fourth and final term representing House District 18. The district covers Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City and downtown Colorado Springs.

THE VOTE

(an asterisk denotes the incumbent)
• Senate District 4 (The district covers northern El Paso County and parts of Douglas, Lake, Park and Teller counties)
With 93 percent of the votes counted in Colorado

Republican Mark Scheffel 47,769 (68%)
Democrat Joseph Alsup 21,978 (32%)

• Senate District 10 (The district covers northeast Colorado Springs and El Paso County.) With 84 percent of the votes counted in Colorado.

Republican Bill Cadman* 19,720 (65%)
Democrat Diane Whitley 10,684 (35%)

• Senate District 12 (west and southwest Colorado Springs and El Paso County). With 39 percent of the votes counted.

Republican Keith King 13,442 (55%)
Democrat Sanford "Pete" Lee 11,045 (45%)

• House District 14 (northwest Colorado Springs) With 81 percent of the votes counted.
Republican Kent Lambert* 11,215 (71%)
Democrat Chyrese Exline 4,614 (29%)

• House District 15 (northeast Colorado Springs) With 43 percent of the votes counted.
Republican: Mark Waller -- 11,198 (66%)
Democrat: Michelle Maksimowicz -- 5,677 (34%)

• House District 16 (north-central Colorado Springs) With 29 percent of the votes counted.
Republican Larry Liston* -- 7,619 (60%)
Democrat Rich Flores -- 5,116 (40%)

• House District 17 (southeastern Colorado Springs and Fort Carson) With 18 percent of the votes counted.
Republican: Catherine "Kit" Roupe -- 3,021 (50%)
Democrat: Dennis Apuan -- 3,081 (50%)

• House District 18 (Manitou Springs, Old Colorado City, downtown Colorado Springs With 58 percent of the votes counted.
Republican: Kate Szot -- 4,406 (36%)
Democrat: Michael Merrifield* -- 7,865 (64%)

• House District 19 (Fountain, Widefield and eastern El Paso County) With 36 percent of the votes counted.
Republican Marsha Looper* -- 7,961 (67%)
Democrat Jim Phillips -- 3,983 (33%)

• House District 20 (northern Colorado Springs and El Paso County) With 74 percent of the votes counted.
Republican Amy Stephens* -- 18,784 (75%) 
Democrat Jan Hejtmanek -- 6,141 (25%)

• House District 21 (southwest Colorado Springs and El Paso County, and eastern Fremont County) With 36 percent of the votes counted.
Republican Robert Gardner* -- 10,623 (58%)
Democrat Anna Lord -- 7,772 (42%)