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Republicans inch closer to Senate majority in early results Republicans edge closer to Senate majority in early results
(about 1 hour later)
Republicans have struck an early victory in the race to control Congress, with a formerly Democratic-aligned seat in West Virginia won by the state's current governor, Jim Justice. Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno unseated the three-term incumbent Democrat
In addition to the presidency, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 seats in the Senate are up for grabs on election day. Republicans have struck blows against the Democrats in the race to control Congress, flipping Senate seats in West Virginia and Ohio.
Republicans currently hold a majority in the House. The projected win by Justice takes the Senate to a 50-50 split. Results in other seats are pending, however. Jim Justice, West Virginia's current governor, is projected to win the seat vacated by the former Democrat Joe Manchin, while Bernie Moreno in Ohio unseated Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown.
The party that wins a majority on either side of Capitol Hill will have greater leverage to enact its own agenda, regardless of who is in the White House. The projected results would move the Senate to a 51-49 split in favour of the Republicans. Results in other seats are pending, however.
The party also currently holds a majority in the House of Representatives. Winning the Senate would give it greater leverage to enact its agenda.
Congressional resultsCongressional results
Election polls - is Harris or Trump ahead?Election polls - is Harris or Trump ahead?
The key races for control of Congress as the US votesThe key races for control of Congress as the US votes
A waitress, a mechanic and a Nascar driver running for US CongressA waitress, a mechanic and a Nascar driver running for US Congress
One party in control of the House, Senate and the White House would have broad power to pass laws and enact the president's partisan agenda. Republican control of the House, Senate and the White House would give it broad power to pass laws and enact the president's partisan agenda.
The Senate seat in West Virginia flipped Republican, after the retirement of the former Democrat Joe Manchin, who frequently clashed with members of his own party before turning independent. In Ohio, Brown was projected to lose to Moreno, a Colombian immigrant and former car sales magnate who portrayed the veteran politician as "too liberal for Ohio".
The winner, Justice, had himself been a Democrat before switching parties to Republican at a Trump rally in 2017. The contest has been called the most expensive Senate race in US history.
Republicans were also projected to retain control of a Senate seat in Florida. Brown told supporters that the result was a "disappointment but not a failure", adding: "I'm not giving up on our fight for workers and I know you won't either".
Incumbent Rick Scott, also a former governor, was first elected six years ago. He was running against former Miami-area Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat who migrated from Ecuador as a child. The seat in West Virginia is projected to flip Republican. It was contested after the retirement of Manchin, who frequently clashed with members of his own party before turning independent.
Justice, had himself been a Democrat before switching parties to Republican at a Trump rally in 2017.
A total of 34 Senate seats are being contested on Tuesday. Republicans were projected to retain control of seats throughout the country.
In Texas, Trump ally Ted Cruz fended off a robust challenge from former NFL player Colin Allred to win a third term.
Democrats had launched a concerted effort to beat Cruz but the party has not won a state-wide election in the state for more than 30 years.
Rick Scott, a Republican incumbent in Florida, was projected to retain his seat despite a challenge by former Miami-area Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat who migrated from Ecuador as a child.
Speaking at a victory rally, Scott predicted that Republicans would seize the majority in the Senate, and that he would be selected as Senate Majority Leader.Speaking at a victory rally, Scott predicted that Republicans would seize the majority in the Senate, and that he would be selected as Senate Majority Leader.
"Florida is the centre of the Republican party of this country," he told the crowd. "Washington can learn a hell of a lot from what we've done right here in this great state.""Florida is the centre of the Republican party of this country," he told the crowd. "Washington can learn a hell of a lot from what we've done right here in this great state."
Lisa Blunt Rochester will represent DelawareLisa Blunt Rochester will represent Delaware
Democrats held a seat in Delaware, a state that President Joe Biden represented as a senator for 36 years, with a victory for fourth-term Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.Democrats held a seat in Delaware, a state that President Joe Biden represented as a senator for 36 years, with a victory for fourth-term Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.
In Maryland, the Democrats retained a seat vacated by Ben Cardin, with Angela Alsobrooks beating the popular Republican Governor Larry Hogan.In Maryland, the Democrats retained a seat vacated by Ben Cardin, with Angela Alsobrooks beating the popular Republican Governor Larry Hogan.
They will become the first black female senators to represent their respective states.They will become the first black female senators to represent their respective states.
Several other incumbent senators won an additional six-year term. In New Jersey, Democrats retained a seat that was vacated by Bob Menendez, who resigned after he was found guilty of accepting bribes for political favours. Andy Kim, 42, will become the first ever Korean-American senator.
In Texas, Trump ally Ted Cruz fended off a robust challenge from former NFL player Colin Allred to win a third term. Other contests that would swing control of the upper chamber are taking place in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Democrats had launched a concerted effort to beat Cruz but the party has not won a state-wide election in more than 30 years.
Other contests that would swing control of the upper chamber of Congress are taking place in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin.
Both parties are also vying for control of the House, although the balance of power there will not be known for several days.Both parties are also vying for control of the House, although the balance of power there will not be known for several days.
The vast majority of House elections are happening in "safe districts" - regions where one party is nearly certain to win. But a handful of other races in swing districts could determine who controls Washington DC.The vast majority of House elections are happening in "safe districts" - regions where one party is nearly certain to win. But a handful of other races in swing districts could determine who controls Washington DC.
House races that could swing the balance are taking place a wide variety of states, with closely watched elections happening in California, New York, Washington, Maine and Alaska.House races that could swing the balance are taking place a wide variety of states, with closely watched elections happening in California, New York, Washington, Maine and Alaska.
SIMPLE GUIDE: How to win the electoral collegeSIMPLE GUIDE: How to win the electoral college
EXPLAINER: What Harris or Trump would do in powerEXPLAINER: What Harris or Trump would do in power
GLOBAL: How this election could change the worldGLOBAL: How this election could change the world
IN PICS: Different lives of Harris and TrumpIN PICS: Different lives of Harris and Trump
POLLS: Who is winning the race for the White House?POLLS: Who is winning the race for the White House?
North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher makes sense of the race for the White House in his twice weekly US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher makes sense of the race for the White House in his twice weekly US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.