Democrats Flip 1st Senate Seat, Lead In Several Republican-Held House Districts

Polls have begun closing in several states in US midterm elections that will determine the congressional balance of power for the next two years of President Donald Trump's stay in the White House. Early returns show Democrats leading in several Republican-held districts, threatening to shatter Trump's grip on Washington and curtail his power for the rest of his presidency.

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has won against Republican Michael Whatley, flipping the first Senate seat in North Carolina and giving Democrats a key victory as they try to gain at least four seats now held by Republicans.

The projections have left several GOP sources involved in House races growing worried about the results so far, suggesting Democrats could be in for a good night. A GOP official in Georgia told CNN that multiple Republican campaigns are concerned that turnout across the Peach State won't get them across the finish line against Democrats as key Senate and governor races hang in the balance.

Republicans losing the House would give Democrats the power to stall Trump's legislative agenda and launch sweeping investigations of his administration. A Senate defeat would also threaten his ability to appoint Supreme Court justices and senior officials.

The election results will be seen as a nationwide judgement of Trump's presidency at a time when the mood is turning sharply against Republicans over soaring living costs and the war against Iran.

How Many Seats Are Up For Grabs?

All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are at stake, along with governorships in 36 states. Democrats need only three House gains and a net four seats in the Senate to wrest both chambers from Republican hands.

As the first polls began closing in Kentucky and Indiana, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters in Washington that the country was "on the brink of a dramatic change of direction."

"We're on the brink of Democrats taking back control of the House of Representatives," he predicted.

But the Senate is a steep hill for Democrats to climb. While Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, the angry mood had extended the battlefield into once reliably conservative states like Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio and Alaska.

But Democrats must defend competitive seats, including in Michigan, where a bitter internal dispute saw Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorse Republican Mike Rogers rather than the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.

Decision Desk HQ's final forecast projected 241 House seats for Democrats against 194 for Republicans and a narrower 52-48 Democratic Senate majority.

Wins So Far

Senate

Democrat Jon Ossoff has won reelection to the US Senate from Georgia. The Democrat's victory over Republican Mike Collins is a notable turnabout from last year, when Republicans were optimistic about the state, given that Trump carried it narrowly in the 2024 presidential race.

Chris Pappas defeated John E. Sununu to keep the New Hampshire US Senate seat in Democratic hands.

Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has won against Republican Michael Whatley, flipping a Senate seat in North Carolina and giving Democrats a key victory as they try to gain at least four seats now held by Republicans.

Democrat Chris Coons has won reelection to the US Senate from Delaware.

Democrat Cory Booker has won reelection to the US Senate from New Jersey.

Democrat Juliana Stratton has won reelection to the US Senate from Illinois.

Democrat Edward Markey has won reelection to the US Senate from Massachusetts.

Democrat John Reed has won reelection to the US Senate from Rhode Island.

Republican Ashley Moody has won reelection to the US Senate from Florida.

Democrat Chris Pappas defeated Republican John E. Sununu to keep the New Hampshire US Senate seat in Democratic hands.

House

Democrat Sanford Bishop has won reelection to the US House in Georgia's 2nd Congressional District.

Republican James Comer has won reelection to the US House in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District.

Republican Carlos Gimenez has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 28th Congressional District.

Democrat Shontel Brown has won reelection to the US House in Ohio's 11th Congressional District.

Republican Randy Fine has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 6th Congressional District.

Republican Mike Haridopolos has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 8th Congressional District.

Republican Joe Stradahas has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 11th Congressional District.

Democrat Donald Beyer has won reelection to the US House in Virginia's 8th Congressional District.

Democrat Jared Moskowitz has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 25th Congressional District.

Democrat Robert Scott has won reelection to the US House in Virginia's 3rd Congressional District.

Republican Andrew Clyde has won reelection to the US House in Georgia's 9th Congressional District.

Democrat Colin Allred has won reelection to the US House in Texas' 33rd Congressional District.

Democrat Donald Norcross has won reelection to the US House in New Jersey's 1st Congressional District.

Democrat LaMonica McIver has won reelection to the US House in New Jersey's 10th Congressional District.

Democrat Christian Menefee has won reelection to the US House in Texas' 18th Congressional District.

Republican H. Griffith has won reelection to the US House in Virginia's 9th Congressional District.

Democrat Jennifer McClellan has won reelection to the US House in Virginia's 4th Congressional District.

Republican Sheri Biggs has won reelection to the US House in South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District.

Republican Jimmy Patronis has won reelection to the US House in Florida's 1st Congressional District.

Democrat Herb Conaway has won reelection to the US House in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District.

Democrat Mary Scanlon has won reelection to the US House in Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District.

Democrat Joaquin Castro has won reelection to the US House in Texas' 20th Congressional District.

Democrat Donna Miller has won election to the US House in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District.

Republican Clay Fuller has won reelection to the US House in Georgia's 14th Congressional District.

Republican Jim Jordan has won reelection to the US House in Ohio's 4th Congressional District.

Democrat Jonathan Jackson has won reelection to the US House in Illinois' 1st Congressional District.

Governor

Democrat JB Pritzker has won reelection for governor in Illinois.

Democrat Maura Healey has won reelection for governor in Massachusetts.

Democrat Wes Moore has won reelection for governor in Maryland.

Democrat Josh Shapiro has won reelection for governor in Pennsylvania.

Republican Byron Donalds was elected Florida's first Black governor in a race that was seen as unexpectedly competitive down the stretch, defeating Democratic nominee David Jolly.

Trump May Not Accept The Results

Concerns were high that Republicans -- especially Trump -- would refuse to accept results if they lose. Trump defended his record in a final TV phone-in pitch to voters on Tuesday, saying he had rebuilt the country through his immigration crackdown, war on Iran and tariffs.

"We have to keep America great. We're great now. We were terrible two years ago," Trump told "Fox & Friends".

Trump, who tried to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat, has repeatedly alleged widespread voter fraud and accused Democrats -- with no evidence -- of cheating.

Voting machines malfunctioned in a hotly contested House race in New York State on Tuesday, prompting right-wing influencers to fling unfounded allegations of fraud even as local election officials insisted all ballots would be counted.