The GOP is chalking up Tuesday's election as a win. Newly-elected Republican governors will take office in New Jersey and Virginia. And experts are wondering if the political tide is changing. The swinging political pendulum led to some shockers in our area. 

  Voters ousted some incumbents and narrowed the gap in Democratic strongholds. So, what does this mean for the parties? And what can Democrats do to swing momentum back in their favor? In Northampton County, Republicans swept five county council seats, defeating a Democrat incumbent and shifting the balance of power in the Republicans' favor.

>> PEG FERRARO: Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that we would have a 7 to 2 majority on Northampton County Council.

>> REPORTER: The Republican surge was so great, it transformed some races like Lehigh County Executive from a sleeper to a squeaker. Republican challenger Scott Ott says he wasn't surprised because he had no expectations.

>> SCOTT OTT: I don't know what's going to happen with the final tally, but we put a real scare into him.

>> REPORTER: Ott hasn't conceded yet because fewer than a thousand votes separate him and incumbent Don Cunningham. Cunningham says he saw the surge coming.

>> DON CUNNINGHAM: People are frustrated and when that happens, if you are an incumbent, you kind of take some hits on that.

>> REPORTER: The hits were felt in all levels of government, from the local Republican power shift of town council in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

>> We will work hard together to make sure that the transition is smooth.

>> REPORTER: To the defeat of Garden State Governor Jon Corzine. Local Democratic party leaders say poor turnout played a major role.

>> JOE LONG: If there is not a agenda or reason for Democrats to come out they don't. And Republicans are notorious they come out year after year.

>> REPORTER: Both parties say energizing the base is crucial for the 2010 election cycle.

>> Look out next year, look out for the future.

>> REPORTER: When the political pendulum could swing in another direction.

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