FACTBOX: Senate races going Democrats' way

(Reuters) - With the economic crisis hurting Republicans in the elections on Tuesday, Democrats were building strength in the Senate, hoping to grab a 60-seat super majority in the 100-seat U.S. Senate for the first time in three decades.

To reach 60 seats, which would give Democrats the muscle to pass legislation despite any Republican procedural hurdles, they need to gain nine seats. Overall, 35 Senate seats are up for election -- 23 now held by Republicans, 12 by Democrats.

On the other side of the U.S. Capitol, Democrats are expected to pick up as many as 30 or more seats in the House of Representatives, which they now control 235-199. All the 435 House seats are up for election

Here's a look at projected results in key Senate races as well as a number of unresolved contests:

ELECTION RESULTS:

* As expected, Democrat Mark Warner was projected to win in Virginia, capturing a Senate seat long held by Republican John Warner, who is retiring.

* Republicans lost another Senate seat in North Carolina, according to projections, where Elizabeth Dole was beaten by Democratic state senator Kay Hagan.

* A third Republican Senate seat was captured by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who beat incumbent John Sununu, according to media projections.

* But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was projected to have won a fifth term, after a tough challenge from businessman Bruce Lunsford.

* Moderate Republican incumbent Susan Collins appears to have won re-election in Maine, hurting Democratic chances for obtaining a 60-vote supermajority.

AWAITING RESULTS:

* Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska. The longest-serving Senate Republican ever, Stevens was convicted on October 27 of political corruption. He is pushing ahead in his bid for an eighth term against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat.

* Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota. He is opposed for a second term by Democrat Al Franken, a former star of the TV comedy show "Saturday Night Live."

* Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. His bid for a second term is being challenged by former state Sen. Jim Martin, a Democrat.

* Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana is the only Senate Democrat in a competitive race for re-election. Her Republican foe is state Treasurer John Kennedy.

* One of the most interesting House races involves Rep. Chris Shays of Connecticut. Shays, a moderate, is the only remaining House Republican from New England. He is being challenged by Democrat Jim Himes, a former Wall Street executive.