Vote counting is underway across several US states after polling stations closed in the country’s elections, with Democrats taking an early lead according to preliminary results reported by US media.
According to initial figures, Democrats have secured 45 seats in the Senate, compared with 36 seats won by Republicans. In the 218-seat House of Representatives, Democrats have reportedly won 113 seats, while Republicans have secured 62 seats.
Democratic candidates have recorded several important victories in the early results, with several party leaders successfully defending their seats.
Polling has also ended in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Texas, South Dakota and Wyoming. Vote counting has started in these states, according to US media reports.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner has been re-elected to the US Senate from Virginia. He defeated Republican candidate Bert Mizusawa to secure his fourth term in the upper chamber.
In Florida’s 20th Congressional District, Democratic leader Debbie Wasserman Schultz secured re-election to the House of Representatives by defeating Republican challenger Brent Anderson.
Similarly, Democratic leader Morgan McGarvey won re-election from Kentucky’s 3rd Congressional District. In Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, Democratic candidate Jasmine Clark secured a victory and won a seat in the House of Representatives.
Nikema Williams was also re-elected from Georgia’s 5th Congressional District after defeating Republican challenger John Salvesen.
According to preliminary results, Democrat Maxwell Frost was re-elected unopposed from Florida’s 10th Congressional District. Democratic leader Lois Frankel also won re-election from Florida’s 23rd Congressional District after defeating Republican candidate Deborah Adeimy.
Democratic leader Lucy McBath retained her seat in Georgia’s 6th Congressional District by defeating Republican challenger Kevin E. Martin.
Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Hal Rogers secured re-election from Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District. Republican candidate Jim Schwartzel also won the House seat from Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff defeated Republican challenger Mike Collins to secure re-election to the US Senate from Georgia.
Democratic candidates also recorded significant victories in Senate races across Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
In Delaware, Democratic Senator Chris Coons defeated Republican candidate Michael Katz to win re-election. In Illinois, Democratic candidate Juliana Stratton secured a Senate seat.
New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker defeated Republican challenger Justin Murphy to secure another term in the Senate. In Rhode Island, Democratic Senator Jack Reed successfully defended his seat, while Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Markey also won re-election.
Meanwhile, preliminary results have started emerging from gubernatorial elections in 36 US states.
In Illinois, Democratic Governor JB Pritzker was re-elected. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also retained her position, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore secured another victory.
Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro also won re-election, according to US media reports.
Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, known for speaking out in support of Palestinians, was re-elected from Michigan’s 12th Congressional District.
In the Florida gubernatorial race, Republican candidate Byron Donalds defeated Democratic challenger David Jolly. With this victory, Donalds is set to become the first Black governor in Florida’s history.
Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms won Georgia’s gubernatorial race. The former Atlanta mayor defeated Republican challenger Rick Jackson to become the state’s governor.
According to US media, Keisha Lance Bottoms is set to become the first Black woman elected governor of a US state in American history.
Vote counting and the announcement of preliminary election results are continuing across several states. The emerging results are expected to provide a clearer picture of the balance of power between political parties in both chambers of Congress.
