Democrats Schauer and Peters win US House seats

(AP) -- Republican Reps. Joe Knollenberg and Tim Walberg are the first congressional incumbents from Michigan to lose in more than a decade, swept up in Barack Obama's Michigan rout.

Democrats Gary Peters and Mark Schauer benefited from Obama's double-digit win against John McCain and concerns about the economy that turned voters against the two incumbents. The two wins give Democrats control of the state's congressional delegation next year for the first time since 2002.

"I think it was a perfect storm," said Knollenberg, who had faced little opposition since his election to Congress in 1992 -- until this year.

Peters' victory in Oakland County underscored the movement of more Democrats into the district and the unease about the local economy, which is heavily dependent upon auto industry jobs. The election coincided with merger talks between General Motors Corp. and Chrysler L.L.C., whose Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters is in the congressional district.

"We are going to be able to take America back," Peters said, promising to enforce trade agreements, expand health care and "fight for the auto industry."

Peters, a former state lottery commissioner and state senator, received 52 percent while Knollenberg received 42.5 percent with 95 percent of precincts reporting. Assisted-suicide advocate and independent party candidate Jack Kevorkian had 2.6 percent.

The margin was narrower for Schauer in the southern Michigan district, but it carried significant symbolism. Schauer's new district includes Jackson, where Republicans held their first official meeting in 1854.

Schauer had argued that Walberg was too conservative for the district and failed to accomplish anything during his first term. Walberg countered that Schauer had supported tax increases in the state Legislature and did not reflect the core beliefs of the district.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Schauer had 48.8 percent and Walberg had 46.5 percent. Two third-party candidates received more than 15,000 votes, or about twice the 7,423-vote difference separating Schauer and Walberg.

"They threw the kitchen sink at us but they just weren't able to save a member of Congress who is just severely out of touch with the district," Schauer said in a phone interview early Wednesday from Battle Creek.

As Walberg's support dwindled, he declined to concede but told supporters that "we're living with the reality right now that it looks like there will be a new congressman for this district."

Peters and Schauer tried to appeal to moderate voters concerned with the loss of manufacturing jobs and a weak economy. They repeatedly tied their Republican opponents to President Bush, who remained extremely unpopular in the state.

Knollenberg and Walberg are the first incumbent members of Congress from Michigan to lose a general election since 1996, when Republican Rep. Dick Chrysler was defeated by Democrat Debbie Stabenow.

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