Democrats are recording early gains in the US midterm elections, with initial results and projections indicating progress in the House of Representatives and a Senate seat picked up in North Carolina. Control of the Senate remains uncertain, with several races still undecided.
The Associated Press projected that Democrats had won at least three House seats previously held by Republicans. In North Carolina, Democrat Jamie Ager won a Republican-held district. Democrats also held seats in Florida, where Kathy Castor, Jared Moskowitz and Pia Dandiya retained their districts despite Republican-drawn boundaries intended to improve the party’s chances there.
All 435 House seats were up for election. Republicans entered the vote with 218 seats, while Democrats had 215. Early results offered signs that Democrats could take the majority, but the outcome was not yet settled.
In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley for a Senate seat, according to AP projections. Democrats also won in states considered safe for the party, including Delaware, Colorado, Illinois and Massachusetts, and incumbent Jon Ossoff won in Georgia. Republicans held seats in Wyoming, Florida, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Several Senate races remained open, with Republicans favored in a number of them. Democrats would need to gain four seats overall to take control of the chamber.
Governors were also elected in 36 states. In Georgia, US media projections showed Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms winning. If confirmed, she would become the first Black woman to serve as a state governor. Democrats also held at least seven governorships, including those of New York’s Kathy Hochul and Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro. Republicans retained at least two, while projections from at least two broadcasters showed Florida Republican Byron Donalds winning the governorship, succeeding fellow Republican Ron DeSantis.
Sources: Tagesschau.