By MANUEL VALDES

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — In early election results, Republicans are leading key races that will help decide control of the state Senate.

After two Democrats defected to form a coalition that gave Republicans control of the Senate, liberals were hoping to mount enough challenges to gain control of the chamber outright.

But so far Democrats trailed in the handful of competitive races they needed to win.

In the Puget Sound region, Democrats relied on a get-out-the-vote push to attract younger and more liberal voters who sometimes skip midterm elections — while Republicans argued that the Majority Caucus brought balance and fiscal responsibility to a Legislature where Democrats control the state House and the governor’s office.

Coming up short

Democrats appear to be failing to keep the 30th District seat, which was vacated by the retirement of veteran lawmaker Tracey Eide.

Democrat-turned-Republican Mark Miloscia was leading Democrat Shari Song in early results. Defeat in the district, which covers parts of south King County and north Pierce County, would represent a net loss for Democrats.

In the 35th District, incumbent Sen. Tim Sheldon, who was one of the two Democrats who formed the coalition with Republicans, was fending off a challenge from Democrat Irene Bowling by leading with 55 percent of the vote. In the Legislature, he’s long voted with

Republicans, but he barely survived a primary challenge from a Democrat and a Republican.

Before Tuesday, the state Senate was split 25-24, technically with the majority being Democrats. However, the Democrat defections gave the Republican-controlled Majority Coalition Caucus a 26-23 majority.

If Tuesday’s early results stand, the split would be 25-24, giving Republicans outright control of the chamber.

“It seems like the odds favor a Republican takeover,” Travis Ridout, a Washington State University political science professor, said before the election. “I suspect turnout is going to be fairly low. There’s no real statewide race on the ballot. No governor’s or Senate race to drive turnout. The stalwart voters will vote and Republicans tend to be better stalwart voters.”

Democrats had mounted spirited and expensive challenges in a few other districts.

In the 45th District, which covers the suburbs of northwest King County, incumbent Republican Sen. Andy Hill was leading Democratic challenger Matt Isenhower. Hill had fundraised nearly $1 million and Isenhower cashed in more than $475,000, making their race the most expensive legislative contest ever.

In all, the combined amount raised by all of the legislative races exceeded $25 million.

Meanwhile, a candidate who died days before the election is winning his race. Democrat Roger Freeman died Wednesday after battling cancer. On Tuesday, he was leading over Republican challenger Jack Dovey.