WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) — Democrats won control of the U.S. House and Senate in Tuesday’s general election, setting up divided government for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term, according to race calls by The Associated Press. Several contests remained unresolved Wednesday.
Democrats gained seven Republican-held Senate seats, winning contests in North Carolina, Ohio, Maine, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and South Carolina. Wednesday’s reported results put the Democratic caucus at 54 seats and Republicans at 44, with two races still undecided. Democrats also secured enough House seats to cross the 218-seat threshold for a majority, although the final size of that majority remained undetermined.
In North Carolina, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman. Cooper will succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate election in the state since 2008.
Other Democratic Senate pickups included Sherrod Brown’s victory over incumbent Jon Husted in Ohio, Josh Turek’s win over Ashley Hinson in Iowa and Adam Hamilton’s defeat of incumbent Roger Marshall in Kansas.
The Senate contests in Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled Wednesday. In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola faced Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom challenged Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Republicans retained West Virginia’s three congressional seats on the ballot. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito won reelection to a third term, while Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore also won additional terms in the House.
Republicans also maintained control of the West Virginia Legislature, though Democrats gained seats. Unofficial returns Wednesday morning showed Democratic candidates leading in 21 House of Delegates races, compared with the party’s nine seats entering the election.
In gubernatorial contests, Democrats won Republican-held offices in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Texas. Republican Byron Donalds won Florida’s governor’s race, keeping that office under GOP control.
The incoming Congress will take office in January. Election-night race calls identify reported winners, while official results remain subject to state canvassing and certification.
