the chamber’s balance of power

[GoodTaste]

Does the chamber refer to the governor's offices? Or does it refer to the Senate of the state?


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WASHINGTON — The party not occupying the White House seizes control of governor’s offices in New Jersey and Virginia. An unexpectedly competitive special Senate election threatens the chamber’s balance of power. Major legislation being forced through along partisan lines heads for a climactic holiday-season vote. Veteran lawmakers of the governing party race for the exits.



Source (NYTimes)

 

[Roman55]

It has to refer to the Senate.

 

[GoesStation]

The sentence must refer to the United States Senate. The writer would have specified which state's Senate was in play if that were the one whose balance of power was threatened.

 

[GoodTaste]

What does "for the exists" mean in "Veteran lawmakers of the governing party race for the exits."?
Does it mean "for the vacancies"?

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps the following sentences offer some explanation.

 

[GoesStation]

It means they are leaving ("exiting") elected office by not seeking reelection.