31.   But based on the early returns, Dan Duquette was right about Offerman.

32.   But early returns showed that more than half the Republican freshmen had been re-elected.

33.   But early returns were cheering.

34.   But he has been encouraged by early returns.

35.   But his Movement for Justice party fizzled, and early returns indicated his party might not win any of the seven parliamentary seats it sought.

36.   But early returns indicated Republicans would pick up perhaps one or two seats.

37.   But early returns showed them on the path to exceeding those expectations.

38.   But early returns suggested that that proposition was likely to carry, too.

39.   But in early returns, Stenholm was ahead of GOP challenger Rudy Izzard.

40.   But in early returns, Stenholm was well ahead of GOP challenger Rudy Izzard.