But the most dramatic sign was the sudden victory for state Democrats in their three-year effort to repeal tax breaks enjoyed by the oil companies.

Hall says he will work with state Democrats to find a suitable challenger against Hayworth in 2012.

With roughly 170 lawyers, the firm has connections in both political parties, though it has been primarily known as a stronghold for powerful state Democrats.

His 1,155 votes gained him the last of three vacant seats and made him part of a banner year for state Democrats.

But it was the race at the top of the ticket that the state Democrats must be feeling best about.

The senator has been endorsed by prominent state Democrats and he has long ties with many local party leaders.

The announcement, though hardly a surprise, was important because it cleared a political logjam among state Democrats.

Other state Democrats were skeptical, though, warning that it was getting late in the campaign, and that contributors would be increasingly reluctant to give.

He served a term until 1880 when he was nominated by the state Democrats for Governor.

"It has the potential to be used and misused in elections where state Democrats are running this year," he said.