Election Battles for House Seats in Olympia

SEATTLE (AP) — Whether Republicans or Democrats take control of the state Senate next year will be up to voters in a handful of districts.

Currently, the Democrats hold a 27 to 22 seat lead. But the two parties and their allies have poured millions of dollars into just a few districts, mostly located west of the Cascade Mountains.

The Republicans see an opportunity to seize the Senate for the first time in a decade following Tuesday's election. Democrats want to win enough seats to shed the influence of conservatives in their ranks, which has made their control of the upper chamber shaky at best. Or at least, the Democrats want to keep their majority.

All of the seats in the House of Representatives and about half of the Senate are on the ballot this year

Democrats are expected to keep their majority in the House.