Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Representative Ben Cardin, a Democrat, won Maryland's open U.S. Senate seat, helping the Democratic Party's effort to take control of the body, according to projections from television networks and the Associated Press.

Cardin, 63, who represents Baltimore in the U.S. House, had 50.5 percent of the vote with 57 percent of precincts reporting. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, Cardin's Republican opponent, received 47.9 percent of the vote. A win would make Steele the first black Republican senator in 28 years.

Steele told supporters that he was not yet conceding the election. ``I still have a lot of fight in me,'' he said in Bowie, Maryland. ``They don't call me Steele for nothing.''

In recent weeks Steele, 48, had been catching up to Cardin in the polls. That Steele even had a chance against Cardin in a state where Republicans are outnumbered 2-to-1 was one of the few bright spots this year for the Republican Party, which is fighting to keep control of the Senate.

Republicans went into the election with a five-seat majority in the 100-member Senate.

Cardin was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966, eventually rising to serve as House Speaker from 1979 to 1986.

Elected to the U.S. House in 1986 at the age of 43, Cardin is known for his willingness to work with Republicans. Serving on the House Ways and Means Committee, Cardin crafted 1998 tax reform legislation.

In 2000 he helped write a bipartisan measure to expand 401(k) and Individual Retirement Account savings, which passed as part of President George W. Bush's tax cut package.

Cardin supported the North American Free Trade Agreement against union opposition, and a cap on medical malpractice damages over the objections of trial lawyers.

Cardin will fill a seat left open by retiring Senator Paul Sarbanes, a Democrat.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jay Newton-Small in Washington at jnewtonsmall@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 8, 2006 00:03 EST