INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana House Democrats knocked off at least four Republican incumbents Tuesday and regained control of the chamber, something both parties considered their top priority this election.

Republicans went into Election Day with a 52-48 majority, but House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, conceded late Tuesday that his party will now trail by at least 51-49. Democrats had narrowly controlled the chamber for eight consecutive years before Republicans gained the gavel in 2004.

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Bosma said he called House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer and congratulated his caucus on the victory. The longtime veteran and fiery Bauer, D-South Bend, had served as speaker in 2003 and 2004 and likely will be chosen for the top spot during a private meeting of his members Wednesday.

Democrats desperately wanted the House back, especially since that chamber, the Senate and governor's office all have been ruled by Republicans the past two years. Republicans retained their 33-17 grip on the Senate.

Democrats controlling the House will give them true negotiating power on legislation with Senate Republicans and GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels, including drafting the next two-year budget.

Perhaps surprisingly, most of the House Republicans near the Indiana Toll Road held onto their seats. Many residents near the northern Indiana highway were upset by the state's decision, led by Daniels, to lease the road to a foreign consortium. But Democrats made enough gains elsewhere to take control of the House.

Among the ousted incumbents was Rep. Troy Woodruff, R-Vincennes, who faced criticism in his district for voting for statewide observance of daylight-saving time after saying he'd vote no.

Bauer said Democrats regained the majority because voters don't believe Republicans have listened to them, 6News' Norman Cox reported. On Tuesday night, he talked of his party's priorities for the new session.

"I believe the No. 1 priority is going to be not to increase property taxes as much as they did, and to get back to the two-thirds, one-third mix, where two-thirds of the increases in education -- as meager as they were, by the way -- must come from the state and not from property taxes," Bauer said.

House Democrats also have pledged to seek affordable health care for all Hoosiers and take the sales tax off of gasoline, among other things.

Before control of the House was decided, Daniels said he will work with whoever controls the chamber.