Check back here throughout the evening for updates on key governor races. And see WORLD’s interactive national map for up-to-the-minute election returns for all U.S. Senate, U.S. House, governor, and ballot initiative contests.

12:15 a.m.: Huge win for Democrats: AP projects that Democrat Jerry Brown has defeated Republican Meg Whitman in California. The victory represents a Democratic pick-up.

12:07 a.m.: Huge loss for Democrats: AP projects that Ohio Republican John Kasich has defeated incumbent Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

11:50 p.m.: Approaching the midnight hour, Republicans have picked up at least six governors’ seats controlled by Democrats, including Wyoming, where Republican Matt Mead easily defeated Democrat Leslie Petersen.

11:25 p.m.: Democrats will hold onto the governor’s mansion in Colorado, where Democratic Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has secured a win. Hickenlooper faced a late surge by former Republican Rep. Tom Tancredo, who ran as in independent after Republican candidate Dan Maes’ campaign fell apart.

11:19 p.m.: Another Midwestern pick-up: Republican Scott Walker defeats Democrat Tom Barrett in Wisconsin. Races remain too close to call in Ohio and Illinois.

10:52 p.m.: Nikki Haley makes history: The Republican becomes the first woman governor of South Carolina. (The state has never had a governor who wasn’t a white man.) Haley is also set to become the nation’s second Indian-American governor after defeating Democrat Vincent Sheheen in a closer-than-expected race to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Mark Sanford.

10:47 p.m.: Another Industrial state falls to the GOP: Fox News projects that Republican Tom Corbett will defeat Democrat Dan Onorato in Pennsylvania. The current governor — Democrat Ed Rendell — has been a vigorous supporter of President Obama and his policies.

10:31 p.m.: Democrats in Massachusetts are breathing a sigh of relief: AP projects that Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick will hold onto his seat for a second term. Patrick looks set to defeat Republican Charlie Baker and Independent Tim Cahill. Some Republicans lament that Baker could have taken the race if Cahill had bowed out.

10:13 p.m.: Start watching the Industrial Midwest: Republican Rick Snyder looks set to defeat Democrat Virg Bernero in Michigan — a seat that has belonged to Democrats. If more Democrats in the so-called Rust Belt fall to Republicans, it will represent a major shift, and potential problems for President Obama’s re-election hopes for 2012.

10:03 p.m.: Oklahoma is set to inaugurate its first woman governor: AP projects that Republican Mary Fallin will defeat Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins for another GOP pick-up.

10:oo p.m.: Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry will hang on for a third term after a tougher-than-expected race with Democratic Houston Mayor Bill White. Nebraska Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is also set for re-election.

9:18 p.m.: Three more calls: Democrat Andrew Cuomo has defeated Republican Carl Paladino for New York governor. Republican Sen. Sam Brownback — who gave up his Kansas seat to run for governor of his state — has also won. Brownback’s win represents a pick-up for the GOP. And South Dakota Republican Dennis Daugaard snags an early, expected win in his state.

8:44 p.m.: Two governors’ races have come in just as pundits expected: Arkansas Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe has defended his seat against Republican Jim Keet. Gov. Beebe has enjoyed high approval ratings, even in a rough season for Democrats. In Tennessee, Republicans pick up a governor’s seat: Bill Haslam, the Republican mayor of Knoxville, defeated Democrat Mike McWherter. Current Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen couldn’t run for a third term.

8:13 p.m.: As Republicans celebrate some of the first big wins of the night, AP is calling the first governor’s race of the evening for a Democrat: New Hampshire’s incumbent Democratic Gov. John Lynch has won a tight race against Republican opponent John Stephen. Lynch’s win secures his fourth term, and delivers a sigh of relief to northern Democrats worried about a seat they’ve held for years.