Carnahan holds off challenge in Missouri's 3rd House District

U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan has won a hard-fought battle with Republican challenger Ed Martin, narrowly defeating him Tuesday in Missouri's 3rd District.

The 52-year-old Democrat won a fourth term in office in an expensive campaign with Martin, the 40-year-old lawyer and former chief of staff for former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.

Carnahan is the son of the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, who was killed in a plane crash while campaigning for U.S. Senate in 2000. Mel Carnahan won anyway, and Russ Carnahan's mother - Jean Carnahan - was appointed to a two-year term. His sister, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, lost a bid for U.S. Senate on Tuesday.