UPDATE: Ellsworth gives Democrats key win in 8th District

Democratic challenger Brad Ellsworth defeated Republican Rep. John Hostettler in southern Indiana's 8th District, giving Democrats one of the 15 seats needed to take control of the U.S. House.\nEllsworth, the Vanderburgh County sheriff, had 62 percent of the votes with 39 percent of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results tabulated by The Associated Press. Hostettler, a staunch conservative seeking a 7th term, had 37 percent.\nThe race was one of three congressional races in Indiana that were closely watched nationwide.\nDemocrats also targeted northern Indiana's 2nd District and southern Indiana's 9th District. They hoped to capitalize on Washington scandals, the war in Iraq, President George W. Bush's low approval ratings and dissatisfaction with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.\nRecent polls showed GOP Rep. Chris Chocola was about even with Democrat Joe Donnelly in the 2nd, and freshman Rep. Mike Sodrel was in a virtual dead heat with former Rep. Baron Hill in the 9th.\nAt a Jeffersonville, Ind., banquet hall, Sodrel campaign workers taped up Sodrel signs while others watched election coverage on four flat-panel TVs. Sodrel was with about 400 supporters Tuesday evening and told them he hoped it would not be a long night.\n"Hope not, but it could be. It's a tight, tight race. ... I don't think we could've run any harder. I think we did everything we should've done," Sodrel said.\nSocial worker Cydney Pair, 37, voted for Hill at the Monroe County Courthouse Tuesday. She said the war and the economy affected her vote.\n"I just do not like the direction this country is going," she said.