Democrats in the US Senate increase their voting edge

Washington: Democrats in the US Senate increased their voting edge to 10 with a newly elected independent saying on Wednesday he will align with them. Senator-elect Angus King says he has decided to caucus with Democrats, ending months of speculation about which party he would vote with.

The former Maine governor was elected last week to replace retiring Republican Sen Olympia Snowe, a prominent centrist. Republican and conservative groups spent millions of dollars to attack King during the campaign for Snowe's seat.

With King joining their caucus, Democrats will have a 55 to 45 edge when the new Senate takes office in January. The balance for the Democrats in the current Senate is 53-47. Republicans control the House of Representatives, meaning re-elected President Barack Obama will have to contend with a divided legislative branch.

Democrats increased their voting edge to 10 with a newly elected independent saying on Wednesday he will align with them.

King said on Wednesday that caucusing with Democrats will still allow him to take independent positions on issues. In the House, former speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will run to keep her job as Democratic leader there after a pair of elections that kept the party in the minority.

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