The final results are in for the 2006 Congressional elections. Former Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez claimed an upset victory against incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla. Read the story about this here. However, the medical condition of Dem Sen. Tim Johnson may tip the balance of power.

Democrats will rule the House with a 233 to 202 seat advantage, reversing the Republican edge in the outgoing House of 232 seats to 203 for the Dems.

In the Senate, the Democrats will rule by a slim 51-49 margin, although the Dem majority will include two independents - Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

In a closely divided Congress, power will shift to the moderates as their votes will be able to swing support for a Bill either way.

In the Senate, leadership may even change if one Democrat is unable to serve and is replaced by a Republican. In fact, this possibility is in play now as Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota is hospitalized after brain surgery. If Sen. Johnson’s seat becomes vacant, Republican governor Mike Rounds probably will appoint a Republican to fill out Johnson’s term, creating a 50-50 split. Republicans would gain control of the Senate by a tie casting vote of Vice President Dick Cheney.

In any event, President Bush will have a very difficult time implementing his agenda in the last two years of his term, if the almost evenly divided Congress becomes deadlocked.

Dan England’s posts can also be found at Getting Elected Blogline and and Townhall. Dan’s website is GettingElected.com and he is the author of So You Want to Run for Political Office and Welcome to the Real Corporate World.