Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin cruised to a sixth term Tuesday, easily beating Republican challenger and first-time candidate Peter Theron.

The win was expected for Baldwin, 46, a liberal in the equally liberal 2nd District anchored by Madison.

"I can't tell you how heartened I was with the extraordinary turnout," Baldwin said. "I just think that it is characteristic of Americans taking back their democracy."

Baldwin said she would continue to make health care a priority over the next two years, and predicted President-elect Barack Obama would put forth a plan that would help uninsured and underinsured people get coverage similar to that of state and federal employees.

Theron, 52, a computer software specialist and college teacher, made energy the top issue in his campaign. He favored increased domestic drilling and expanded use of nuclear power.

Late Tuesday, he said adding his voice to the call for more domestic drilling "helped the Democrats see the light" on the issue.

He was equally conservative on foreign policy, calling Islamic terrorism the country's most important foreign policy concern now and likely for years to come.

Baldwin also emphasized energy policy, but focused on encouraging "green" industries at a time when she said global climate change threatens the planet.

Theron acknowledged that he faced an uphill battle against Baldwin, but said, despite the loss, he had a "very, very positive" experience and did not rule out the possibility of running for the seat again.

"The goals that I had for myself when I started, I've certainly been able to meet some of those," he said.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin:

• In District 1 in southeast Wisconsin, 38-year-old incumbent Republican Paul Ryan of Janesville defeated Democrat Marge Krupp of Pleasant Prairie, a 52-year-old chemical engineer and businesswoman, and Libertarian Joseph Kexel, 43, of Kenosha. Ryan has held the seat since 1999.

• In District 3 in western Wisconsin, Democratic incumbent Ron Kind, 45, of La Crosse, won a seventh term, beating Republican Paul Stark, 47, who owns a home building company in Eau Claire, and Libertarian Kevin Barrett, 49, of Lone Rock. Barrett was known for his claim that the U.S. government orchestrated the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Democratic gains

House Democrats solidified their control of the Northeast and made gains in the South on Tuesday by defeating Republicans from Connecticut to Arizona as they pushed for historic gains in their majority.
"It's the night we have been waiting for," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Ousting 22-year veteran Rep. Chris Shays in Connecticut gave Democrats every House seat from New England.
And their victory in an open seat on New York's Staten Island gave them control of all of New York City's delegation in Washington for the first time in 35 years.

Democrats ousted four Republican incumbents and captured five open GOP seats. Republicans knocked off two Democratic incumbents.

With nearly 300 of the 435 House races decided, Democrats held leads for more than a dozen other Republican-held seats.

In the South, high school civics teacher Larry Kissell won election in North Carolina, defeating Republican Rep. Robin Hayes.

Democrats capitalized on the uncommonly large number of Republican departures, winning seats long in GOP hands.

Former congressional staffer Dan Maffei won election to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Jim Walsh, becoming first Democrat in nearly 30 years to represent the district around Syracuse, N.Y.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.