WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic losses continue to pile up, with the loss of a fifth Senate seat to Republicans — who need to gain six seats, in all, to have a Senate majority.

Rep. Cory Gardner defeated incumbent Democrat Mark Udall in Colorado. And the victory may give Republicans a path forward in states in which they have been unable to gain ground during the Obama administration.

Another Senate race, in Louisiana, is headed for a runoff.

Republicans captured a key gubernatorial race in Florida, as Gov. Rick Scott turned back a challenge from Democrat Charlie Crist. Crist had been a Republican when he was elected to the office in 2006. The election in the nation’s top battleground state included more than $100 million worth of ads from the campaigns and their allies.

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