Democrat takes Senate seat in New Mexico

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Rep. Tom Udall won the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico on Tuesday, picking up an important seat for Democrats in their drive to widen their control of Congress, U.S. media projected.

Udall, a member of a famous political family who has served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, beat Republican Rep. Steve Pearce. Udall will replace Republican Sen. Pete Domenici, who is retiring after serving this Southwestern state for 35 years in the Senate.