Republican Blunt wins open Mo. Senate seat

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri Republican Rep. Roy Blunt is being promoted to the U.S. Senate.

Blunt has defeated Democratic Secretary of State Robin Carnahan to claim the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Kit Bond.

Blunt is a former member of House Republican leadership who has represented southwest Missouri's 7th Congressional District since 1997.

He campaigned for Senate largely on economic issues and stressed his opposition to many of the policies of President Barack Obama, including the health care overhaul, stimulus act and climate control legislation.

Blunt cast Carnahan as a "rubber stamp" for Obama's agenda.

Carnahan had portrayed Blunt as too cozy with lobbyists and corporate interests.