GOP Wins House Seat in Obama's Hometown

A Honolulu city councilman has defeated two Democrats to give Republicans a midterm election victory in the US congressional district where President Obama grew up. Charles Djou's win yesterday is the latest triumph for the GOP as it looks to take back control of Congress. And it came as a blow to Democrats who could not rally around a candidate and find a way to win a congressional race that should have been a cakewalk. The seat had been held by a Democrat for nearly 20 years.

"This is a momentous day. We have sent a message to the United States Congress. We have sent a message to the national Democrats," Djou said. But Democrats believe the success in Hawaii will be short-lived. Djou will only serve through the remainder of 2010, and another election will be held in November for the next term—in which Djou will face only one Democratic opponent. (More Hawaii stories.)