Tim Kaine and George Allen are fighting for a senate seat representing Virginia. Steve Helber/AP
Photo Gallery: Hot seats
Federal managers are especially interested in a handful of congressional races.
While the presidential election is getting most of the attention, every seat in the House and a third of Senate seats are up for reelection in 2012.
With Congress controlling budgets and oversight for federal agencies, many of these elections will steer federal issues going forward. Below are 12 candidates or races for federal employees and managers to watch on Nov. 6.
NEXT STORY: Joe Biden already dropping hints about 2016