Reid holding edge in Nevada Senate returns

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid is holding his lead in early returns in his campaign against tea party star Sharron Angle.

With more than half of the projected votes counted Tuesday, Reid had 52 percent, or 205,927 votes, to 44 percent for the Republican Angle, or 176,071 votes.

The tally included the results of mail-in ballots and the results of two weeks of early voting, along with 12 percent of precincts.

A succession of polls showed a dead-heat race. Reid has been struggling for months in a state with the nation's highest unemployment and with voters angry with all things Washington.

The race is a closely watched marker with resurgent Republicans seeking control of Capitol Hill.