Minorities Could Make Mark in Senate Races

Beyond a high-profile race in Illinois that will put a black in the U.S. Senate for only the fifth time, two Hispanics and one person who is part Native American are expected to win seats in November in the virtually all-white chamber. In the Senate's 215-year history only 15 of its members have been minorities -- Hispanics, native Americans, Asians and blacks, according to official Senate records. Currently there are only three: Hawaii's two Democrats, Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, both of Asian heritage, and Colorado's Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Republican of Northern Cheyenne descent. Campbell is retiring from the Senate this year. [more ]