GOP seeks to strengthen grip on House

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Republicans are hoping to strengthen their control of the House of Delegates.

Democrats have gained 11 seats in the past three elections, leaving them just six shy of taking control of the 100-member House. They had hoped to keep chipping away, but polls showing the GOP well ahead in the three statewide races suggest it's the Republicans who are most likely to gain seats in the legislature.

There are 69 contested races on Tuesday's ballot. Eleven are for open seats. Fifty-eight incumbents, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, face challengers.