Two Republican Senate candidates who made public gaffes regarding rape and abortion are headed for defeat.
CNN projected candidates Todd Akin in Missouri and Richard Mourdock in Indiana will be defeated by their Democratic rivals.
CNN recently projected Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill in Missouri and Joe Donnelly the winner in Indiana.
It is a blow to the Republican party's hopes to gain a majority in the Senate as both states are projected to go to Governor Mitt Romney and had been competitive before both candidates made their comments.
Mr Akin said in August that in many cases of "legitimate rape" a woman's reproductive system "shuts down" so abortions in many cases were not necessary.
