Peters wins U.S. Senate seat

Democratic Congressman Gary Peters has beaten Republican former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land to replace retiring Democrat Carl Levin in the U.S. Senate.  The win Tuesday for Peters, who led Land in nearly all polls for months, prevented Republicans from capturing their first Senate seat in the state in two decades. Republicans had originally hoped Michigan could be part of their effort to take control of the chamber.  The race spurred heavy out-of-state contributions _ for which each side criticized the other. Still, the GOP focused advertising on other, closer races during the final weeks.  Peters has said his top issue is the economy, including guaranteeing “access to affordable, quality health care” and the ability to “retire with dignity” with Social Security and Medicare.  (AP)