Democrat Ben Chandler won the special election held today in Kentucky's 6th district, with 55 percent of the vote to 43 percent for Republican Alice Forgy Kerr. From Kos: "This wasn't just a victory. It was a mauling. Of Kerr, of McConnell, of Bush. And in Bush country no less."

Before the results came in, CBS News had this take on why the Kentucky election matters nationally: "Republicans have a 228 to 205 advantage in the 208th Congress, meaning a 12-seat swing could put the House under Democratic control. That makes the Kentucky race significant. The election is also seen as an indicator of support for the president. For those reasons, both national parties have shown unusual interest in it. Top members of Congress, including House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and number two Democrat Steny Hoyer are among those who campaigned for their candidates. Early in her campaign, Kerr appeared with Mr. Bush in a commercial that said the two were 'cut from the same cloth.' Kerr mentioned her support of the president in subsequent commercials."

Next House special election: June 1 in South Dakota to fill the seat vacated by Republican Bill Janklow, who resigned after a manslaughter conviction stemming from a traffic accident.