Democrats racked up a string of big gains in the midterm elections as a blue wave appeared to be rippling across the country. The party has flipped Senate seats in South Carolina and North Carolina and held seats in Georgia and New Hampshire. Republicans are increasingly pessimistic about their prospects of keeping control of Congress.
South Carolina: In a stunning upset, GOP Sen. Darline Graham, who was backed by President Trump, lost to Democrat Annie Andrews in the typically red state.
Ohio: Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy for governor, according to the Associated Press, becoming the first Democrat to win the office since 2006.
North Carolina: In Democrats’ first Senate flip of the evening, Roy Cooper, the state’s former governor, won the seat that GOP Sen. Thom Tillis is leaving.
Georgia: Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, one of President Trump’s most vocal critics, defeated Republican challenger Mike Collins. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s race, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
Florida: Republicans won two big statewide races. Sen. Ashley Moody defended her seat, while Rep. Byron Donalds made history and will be the state’s first Black governor.
Voter sentiment: Two years after handing Republicans control of Washington, voters expressed displeasure over Trump’s job performance while voicing angst about the cost of living and the nation’s overall direction.
Trump: The president, his senior advisers and members of his cabinet have assembled in the East Room of the White House to watch the election results. He spent the early hours of election night criticizing Fox News.