Midterm polls: US awaits verdict on key seats, democrat governors create history
Democrat Maura Healey became the first woman elected as Massachusetts governor, as well as the first openly lesbian governor of any state.
The US midterm elections are underway and all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs as are 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships. Republicans need to pick up five seats to take a majority in the House and just one to control the Senate.
However, many seats always go to the same party. Hence, control of the Senate and House of Representatives depends on a small number of competitive seats. As per the latest figures, Republicans are projected to reach the 39 seat mark and Democrats 40 in the 100-seat Senate.
A party needs 51 seats to control the Senate. Democrats currently control the Senate through Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.
Republicans are also widely favoured to pick up the five seats to reach the majority mark (218 seats) they need to take over the House. But the final outcome is unlikely to be known any time soon.
Here are the latest developments.
1. Democrats have easily repelled Republicans backed by former President Donald Trump in several left-leaning states. Massachusetts and Maryland also saw historic firsts. Democrat Maura Healey became the first woman elected as Massachusetts governor, as well as the first openly lesbian governor of any state, and Wes Moore became the first Black governor of Maryland.
2. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis won a second term defeating Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, a former congressman.
3. In Senate race, Republicans have won eight seats and Democrats won four so far, 23 races have yet to be called, AP reported.
4. Of the 435 total House seats, 220 are held by Democrats while Republicans have 212. However, many seats always go to the same party. Key seats include Iowa’s 3rd district and Colorado’s 8th district. Republicans need to pick up five seats to have a majority.
5. Republican control of the House would likely trigger a round of investigations into President Joe Biden and his family, while a GOP Senate takeover would hobble Biden’s ability to make judicial appointments.
