Change didn't last long in Indiana.
The state that in 2008 chose its first Democrat for president since 1964 embraced Republicans across the ballot Tuesday as voters expressed concerns about the economy, big government and the Obama administration's health care overhaul.
Republicans picked up the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democrat Evan Bayh and two southern Indiana congressional seats that had been held by Democrats Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth, who lost the Senate race to Dan Coats. That gave Republicans six of the state's nine congressional seats.
Republican voters reveled in the change even before the results were in.
"R stands for revenge," Linda Vaughan, 65, of Fishers said after voting.
Republicans also appeared poised to claim a two-thirds majority in the Indiana Senate and take control of the state House of Representatives. That will be important to Gov. Mitch Daniels as he tries to implement his agenda in his final two years in office.
It also means Republicans will control how Indiana's congressional districts are redrawn next year.
Marty Martinez, 58, of Crown Point, who runs a computer business, said he was worried that the economy would not improve despite Tuesday's results.
"The two parties aren't cooperating with each other and it's gridlock," he said.
Indianapolis resident Don Steel, 57, who attended the GOP's celebration in downtown Indianapolis, said that has to change or Republicans will risk being the ones voted out in 2012.
"Hopefully, we'll be working toward some compromises out there," he said.
Republicans appeared mindful of that and sounded mostly conciliatory notes Tuesday night.
Coats, who will return to the Indiana Senate after leaving in 1999, sent a simple message to followers on the social networking Twitter, saying, "Thank you, Indiana!"
Republican Rep. Mike Pence, who easily won reelection, said the party needs to be mindful of the opportunity it was handed.
"Tonight belongs more to the American people than any political party," he said, urging Republicans to "reflect a degree of humility."
Still, there was plenty to celebrate.
Republican heart surgeon Larry Bucshon defeated Democratic state Rep. Trent Van Haaften to capture the 8th district seat in southwest Indiana formerly held by Ellsworth. That, coupled with Todd Young's win over Hill, a five-term congressman, meant Republicans picked up two of the three seats the GOP had targeted in Indiana.
Rep. Joe Donnelly stopped a sweep of races targeted by the GOP by holding on in his 2nd district battle against state Rep. Jackie Walorski, who had been endorsed by former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and was a tea party favorite.
Donnelly, who tried to distance himself from the Obama administration and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said he didn't think the strategy would affect his relationship with Democratic leaders.
"I don't work for them. I work for the people of my district and that's what I'll continue to do," he said.
Other Republican highlights were state Sen. Marlin Stutzman, who won the 3rd district seat left vacant when GOP Rep. Mark Souder abruptly resigned in May after admitting an extramarital affair with a staffer, and Secretary of State Todd Rokita, who will succeed retiring GOP Rep. Steve Buyer in the 4th District. Rep. Dan Burton won a 15th term in the 5th district.
Besides Donnelly, the only other bright spots for Democrats were Rep. Pete Visclosky, who won a 14th term in northwest Indiana, and Rep. Andre Carson, who easily won a second term in the seat his grandmother, Julia Carson, held for 11 years before her death in 2007.
Many independent voters who cast ballots for Democrats two years ago said they leaned more Republican this election.
"I've become a little more discouraged with the Democratic Party, but I split my vote this year as I usually do every year trying to find the best person to represent us," said Michael Crabill, 61, a semiretired financial services worker voting in rural Osceola, east of South Bend.
Some voters said they were troubled by the country's direction.
"We need to get the feeling back that we had when Reagan was in office," said Vaughan, a self-employed boat cover maker. "We have to fight for what America stands for. Our country is too good."
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