Democrats pick up U S Senate seat in Montana

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (Reuters) Democrat Jon Tester defeated Republican Sen Conrad Burns in Montana, capturing an important seat in the party's bid to gain control of the Senate.

CBSNews.com and the Associated Press projected state Sen Tester had unseated incumbent Burns, who was tainted by links to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and whose campaign was marred by several gaffes. The only Senate seat still undecided was in Virginia.

REUTERS AKJ RN2336