The divided states

Republicans make Senate gains but lose House to Democrats

THE highly divisive state of US politics was laid bare yesterday as both Donald Trump and his Democrat foes declared victory in highly anticipated midterm elections.

Republicans increased their majority in the Senate but the Democrats won control of the House of Representatives as voters delivered a mixed verdict in the first national election of Mr Trump’s presidency.

The Republicans also won several key governor races but their opponent’s victory by at least 25 seats in the House means the US now has a schism at its heart.

The results allowed both parties to claim the spoils, but highlighted a realignment of US voters by race, gender and education. Republicans maintained their strength in conservative, rural states, while Democrats made inroads across America’s suburbs.

Indeed the House win was driven largely by suburban voters, many of them women, and many who identified healthcare as their main concern. Mr Trump framed the night as a victory, thanking his supporters in a tweet.

“Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!” he tweeted.

Having secured majority control of the House of Representatives, the Democrats will now be able to block Mr Trump’s policy agendas, probe his business dealings and even possibly begin impeachment proceedings. With its new-won majority in the House, the Democrats now have the power to approve or reject any legislation Mr Trump puts forward. But the Republicans’ Senate win means any impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump would likely not get very far.

Leading Democrat Nancy Pelosi, currently the House minority leader, declared her party would try to work with the White House but also said the win was “about restoring the Constitution’s checks and balances to the Trump administration”.