Democrats take seats, near control of House
But their anti-Trump goal for the Senate fails as GOP retains majority
WASHINGTON — The Democrats picked up at least a dozen Republican-held House seats across almost all regions of the country as returns were still coming in Tuesday but fell short in some closely watched races as they fought to wrest control of the chamber from the GOP.
The party needed a net gain of 23 seats to break the Republicans’ eight-year hold on the House and place a check on President Donald Trump.
In the Senate, Republicans have retained control for two more years, shattering Democrats’ dreams of an anti-Trump wave sweeping them into majority.
The result was all but assured when Republican Kevin Cramer ousted North Dakota Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and when Republican businessman Mike Braun ousted Sen. Joe Donnelly in Indiana.
With control of Congress, statehouses
and Trump’s agenda at stake, some of the nation’s top elections were too close to call. Victories in contested House races across Florida, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Minnesota gave them cause for optimism.
In Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz staved off a far tougher than expected challenge from Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke, whose record-smashing fundraising and celebrity have set off buzz he could be a credible 2020 White House contender.
And in Tennessee, GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a top Democratic recruit.
And in Tennessee, GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn defeated former Gov. Phil Bredesen, a top Democratic recruit.
The mixed results unfolded as an anxious nation watched to see whether voters would reward or reject the GOP in the first nationwide election of Trump’s turbulent presidency.
In the leadup to the election, Republicans privately expressed confidence in their narrow Senate majority but feared the House could slip away. The GOP’s grip on high-profile governorships in Georgia and Wisconsin were at risk as well.
Fundraising, polls and history were not on the president’s side.
“Everything we have achieved is at stake,” Trump declared in his final day of campaigning.
More than 40 million Americans had already voted ahead of Tuesday, either by mail or in person, breaking early voting records across 37 states, according to an AP analysis.
Nearly 40 percent of voters cast their ballots to express opposition to the president, according to AP VoteCast, a national survey of the electorate, while 1 in 4 said they voted to express support for Trump.
The nationwide survey indicated that nearly two-thirds said Trump was a reason for their vote.
Overall, 6 in 10 voters said the country was headed in the wrong direction, but roughly that same number described the national economy as excellent or good.
Two issues more than any others were on voters’ minds: 25 percent described health care and immigration as the most important issues in the election.
Trump encouraged voters to view the first nationwide election of his presidency as a referendum on his leadership, pointing proudly to the surging economy at recent rallies.
He bet big on a xenophobic closing message, warning of an immigrant “invasion” that promised to spread violent crime and drugs across the nation.
The president’s current job approval, set Democratic congressional candidate Donna Shalala celebrates her victory in Coral Gables, Fla. State Sen. Jennifer Wexton, center, greets voters Mary Danie,l with her daughter Bray, 10, and Betsy Morrison in Berryville, Va., on Election Day. at 40 percent by Gallup, was the lowest at this point of any first-term president in the modern era.
Both Barack Obama’s and Bill Clinton’s numbers were 5 points higher, and both suffered major midterm losses of 63 and 54 House seats respectively.
Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin in West Virginia and Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin won re-election. And in New Jersey, Democrats re-elected embattled Sen. Bob Menendez, who, less than a year ago, stood trial for federal corruption charges. The Justice Department dropped the charges after his trial ended in an hung jury.
Democrats’ performance in the House battlefield was mixed.
In Virginia, political newcomer Jennifer Wexton defeated two-term GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock.
In south Florida, former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala defeated Republican Maria Elvira Salazar.
Democrats failed to defeat a vulnerable incumbent in Kentucky, where Republican Rep. Andy Barr won over former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath.
All 435 seats in the U.S. House were up for re-election, although fewer than 90 were considered competitive. Some 35 Senate seats were in play, as were almost 40 governorships and the balance of power in virtually every state legislature.
Meanwhile, several 2020 presidential prospects easily won re-election, including Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Trump spent the day at the White House, tweeting, making calls, monitoring the races and meeting with his political team. He and the first lady hosted an evening watch party for family and friends.