Democrat Lincoln falls in Arkansas

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln has become the first Senate Democratic incumbent to fall in Tuesday's election.

The two-term Democrat was defeated by Rep. John Boozman.

Lincoln's loss was another boost to Republicans who were already cheering the victories of two tea party candidates, Rand Paul in Kentucky and Marco Rubio in Florida.

Democrats are fighting off a GOP resurgence that could shift the balance of power in Washington. Republicans need to gain 10 seats to take back control of the Senate they lost in 2006.

Lincoln campaigned hard on her status as a moderate. Boozman challenged Lincoln's independence, saying she was too closely aligned with the Obama White House.