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US mid-terms: Republicans win control of the Senate | US mid-terms: Republicans win control of the Senate |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Republicans have won control of the Senate in the US mid-term elections, increasing their power in the final two years of Barack Obama's presidency. | |
The party won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia. | The party won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia. |
And it is expected to post more gains as votes are counted in other states. | And it is expected to post more gains as votes are counted in other states. |
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, poised to lead the chamber, said the result was a vote against "a government that people can no longer trust". | |
In the mid-terms, so-called because they fell half way into Mr Obama's second four-year term in office, about one-third of the Senate, the entire House of Representatives, 36 of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices were up for election. | |
Throughout the campaign, Republicans focused on voter dissatisfaction with Mr Obama, a Democrat, describing the vote as a referendum on his presidency. | Throughout the campaign, Republicans focused on voter dissatisfaction with Mr Obama, a Democrat, describing the vote as a referendum on his presidency. |
As the first results came in late on Tuesday, it became clear they had made convincing gains in the chamber. | |
With the votes still being counted in many states, the Republican Party easily won the six seats it needed to win control of the Senate. | |
The party controls 52 seats, and is tipped to win more. | |
When the new Congress is sworn in in January, it will mark the first time the Republicans have held both chambers since 2006. | |
They will now have the power to complicate, if not block completely, Mr Obama's agenda in the last two years of his tenure in the White House. | |
Control of the Senate will also enable the Republicans to stymie his ability to name new federal judges, cabinet members and senior government officials. | |
In addition to seats the party won from the Democrats, the Republicans retained seats in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. | In addition to seats the party won from the Democrats, the Republicans retained seats in Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. |
In Louisiana, neither of the top two candidates gained 50% of the vote, forcing a run-off election in early December. | In Louisiana, neither of the top two candidates gained 50% of the vote, forcing a run-off election in early December. |
In Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner was expected to retain his Senate seat amid a much tighter than expected race with Republican ex-lobbyist Ed Gillespie. | In Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner was expected to retain his Senate seat amid a much tighter than expected race with Republican ex-lobbyist Ed Gillespie. |
In other developments: | |
One of the night's key early results came in Kentucky, where Mr McConnell, the Republican Senate minority leader, fended off Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes. | |
Mr McConnell will now become the Senate majority leader, giving him control over the chamber's legislative agenda and floor proceedings. | Mr McConnell will now become the Senate majority leader, giving him control over the chamber's legislative agenda and floor proceedings. |
"It wasn't about me or my opponent," he told supporters as he declared victory, "it was about a government that people can no longer trust." | "It wasn't about me or my opponent," he told supporters as he declared victory, "it was about a government that people can no longer trust." |
Current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement. | Current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated Mr McConnell in a short statement. |
"The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together," said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain. "I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class." | "The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together," said Mr Reid of Nevada, whose role in the soon-to-be Democratic minority remains uncertain. "I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class." |
As well as taking the Senate, the Republicans are projected to increase their majority in the House of Representatives, where all 435 members were up for re-election. | As well as taking the Senate, the Republicans are projected to increase their majority in the House of Representatives, where all 435 members were up for re-election. |
They also made gains among the 36 governorships up for re-election. | |
Republican governors survived tough re-election battles in Florida, Maine and Wisconsin. | Republican governors survived tough re-election battles in Florida, Maine and Wisconsin. |
In two results that illustrate the breadth of the Republican sweep, the party's candidates won in Maryland and Massachusetts, two of the most Democratic-friendly states in the nation. Republican Bruce Rauner also won in Illinois - Mr Obama's home state - against incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn. | In two results that illustrate the breadth of the Republican sweep, the party's candidates won in Maryland and Massachusetts, two of the most Democratic-friendly states in the nation. Republican Bruce Rauner also won in Illinois - Mr Obama's home state - against incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn. |
Political gridlock in Congress has already reached historic levels and was a major concern among voters, with many expressing their frustration with the lack of progress on the key issues facing the nation. | Political gridlock in Congress has already reached historic levels and was a major concern among voters, with many expressing their frustration with the lack of progress on the key issues facing the nation. |
Analysts say the Republicans' victory could make the situation even worse before the president poll in 2016. | Analysts say the Republicans' victory could make the situation even worse before the president poll in 2016. |
Republican leaders have already pledged to move forward on their key policy priorities, pressing Mr Obama to negotiate on their terms | Republican leaders have already pledged to move forward on their key policy priorities, pressing Mr Obama to negotiate on their terms |
"It's time for government to start getting results and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our country, starting with our still-struggling economy," said Republican House Speaker John Boehner. | "It's time for government to start getting results and implementing solutions to the challenges facing our country, starting with our still-struggling economy," said Republican House Speaker John Boehner. |