Republicans seek control of state House

MATT GOURAS

Associated Press

HELENA— Republicans were looking ahead to taking full control of the Legislature in 2011 as the bulk of the returns still trickling in early Wednesday favored their candidates.

The GOP was competitive in races in traditional Democratic strongholds, and appeared to be holding their own seats with relative ease.

"Right now we are ahead in 21 of our 25 targeted races in the House and three of four targeted races in the Senate," Republican state Sen. Jeff Essmann of Billings said late Tuesday.

The Republican said the GOP was on track to take 58 or more seats in the Hou...