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| US mid-term elections: Trump claims win in key Ohio vote | US mid-term elections: Trump claims win in key Ohio vote |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| President Donald Trump has claimed victory for the Republican candidate in the election for a House seat in Ohio. | President Donald Trump has claimed victory for the Republican candidate in the election for a House seat in Ohio. |
| But US media said the race was still too close to call, in a seat long held by the Republicans. | But US media said the race was still too close to call, in a seat long held by the Republicans. |
| The election is seen as a key indicator ahead of November's mid-terms. | The election is seen as a key indicator ahead of November's mid-terms. |
| Tuesday also saw four states hold primaries to choose candidates for the mid-terms. It appears women will have a record number of nominees for both the House and governorship contests. | Tuesday also saw four states hold primaries to choose candidates for the mid-terms. It appears women will have a record number of nominees for both the House and governorship contests. |
| What has happened in Ohio? | What has happened in Ohio? |
| Republican candidate Troy Balderson has been taking on Democrat Danny O'Connor in Ohio for a seat in the US House of Representatives. Ohio is one of the key battleground states in the mid-terms. | Republican candidate Troy Balderson has been taking on Democrat Danny O'Connor in Ohio for a seat in the US House of Representatives. Ohio is one of the key battleground states in the mid-terms. |
| Mr Trump tweeted "Congratulations to Troy Balderson on a great win in Ohio. A very special and important race!" | Mr Trump tweeted "Congratulations to Troy Balderson on a great win in Ohio. A very special and important race!" |
| But US news outlets have not called the contest yet. The New York Times gave Mr Balderson 50.2%, a lead of 1,754 votes in the 12th Congressional District race, with all precincts reporting. But at least 3,367 provisional ballots are still outstanding, which could lead Mr O'Connor to force a recount. He said: "We're not stopping now." | But US news outlets have not called the contest yet. The New York Times gave Mr Balderson 50.2%, a lead of 1,754 votes in the 12th Congressional District race, with all precincts reporting. But at least 3,367 provisional ballots are still outstanding, which could lead Mr O'Connor to force a recount. He said: "We're not stopping now." |
| A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are questions about a voter's eligibility. | A provisional ballot is used to record a vote when there are questions about a voter's eligibility. |
| The BBC correspondent in Washington says even if the Democrats lose the seat, they can claim a moral victory in Ohio, and will point to the results as further evidence that they are poised for success in November. | The BBC correspondent in Washington says even if the Democrats lose the seat, they can claim a moral victory in Ohio, and will point to the results as further evidence that they are poised for success in November. |
| Democrat House representative Ben Ray Luján said the seat should have been a "slam dunk" for the Republicans and the closeness of the contest was an "ominous sign" for them in November. | Democrat House representative Ben Ray Luján said the seat should have been a "slam dunk" for the Republicans and the closeness of the contest was an "ominous sign" for them in November. |
| Mr Trump won the 12th Congressional District in 2016 by more than 11 percentage points and Republicans have held it since 1983. | Mr Trump won the 12th Congressional District in 2016 by more than 11 percentage points and Republicans have held it since 1983. |
| Mr Balderson and Mr O'Connor will have to fight the seat again in November. | Mr Balderson and Mr O'Connor will have to fight the seat again in November. |
| What about the primaries? | What about the primaries? |
| Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington state have all been choosing candidates for the mid-term elections. | Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington state have all been choosing candidates for the mid-term elections. |
| It appears that all the Republican candidates so far called as winners have been endorsed by Mr Trump. | It appears that all the Republican candidates so far called as winners have been endorsed by Mr Trump. |
| They include John James, an African-American Republican, who won the Senate race nomination in Michigan. | They include John James, an African-American Republican, who won the Senate race nomination in Michigan. |
| The Kansas gubernatorial election has been rancorous for Republicans. The New York Times says it appears Mr Trump's pick, the hard-right Kris Kobach, may have upset incumbent Jeff Colyer. | The Kansas gubernatorial election has been rancorous for Republicans. The New York Times says it appears Mr Trump's pick, the hard-right Kris Kobach, may have upset incumbent Jeff Colyer. |
| In Missouri, Democrat senator Claire McCaskill will take on the Trump-backed attorney general Josh Hawley in the Senate race. | In Missouri, Democrat senator Claire McCaskill will take on the Trump-backed attorney general Josh Hawley in the Senate race. |
| Former Democratic Party legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer will face off in the Michigan gubernatorial race against Trump ally Bill Schuette. | Former Democratic Party legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer will face off in the Michigan gubernatorial race against Trump ally Bill Schuette. |
| A breakthrough for women | A breakthrough for women |
| The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) said a record had been set for women major party nominees for US House elections in any one year. | The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) said a record had been set for women major party nominees for US House elections in any one year. |
| At least 168 have been nominated, with possibly more to come. | At least 168 have been nominated, with possibly more to come. |
| The CAWP said 11 women had also been chosen as their party's nominee for governor, surpassing the record of 10 in 1994. | The CAWP said 11 women had also been chosen as their party's nominee for governor, surpassing the record of 10 in 1994. |
| Indeed, Ms Whitmer could lead an all-female Democratic state-wide ticket in Michigan against Mr Schuette. | Indeed, Ms Whitmer could lead an all-female Democratic state-wide ticket in Michigan against Mr Schuette. |
| Laura Kelly will have a tough battle in the Republican stronghold of Kansas, but if she faces Mr Kobach she could play on his extremist profile to target centrist Republicans. | Laura Kelly will have a tough battle in the Republican stronghold of Kansas, but if she faces Mr Kobach she could play on his extremist profile to target centrist Republicans. |
| Michigan - another key battleground - also saw a swathe of women nominees. | Michigan - another key battleground - also saw a swathe of women nominees. |
| Democratic women could outnumber white male colleagues in the House after November, a recent study suggested. | Democratic women could outnumber white male colleagues in the House after November, a recent study suggested. |
| Estes vs Estes | Estes vs Estes |
| And one interesting sidebar: Ron Estes has beaten Ron Estes in a Kansas Republican primary. | And one interesting sidebar: Ron Estes has beaten Ron Estes in a Kansas Republican primary. |
| The victorious incumbent congressman had to fund a campaign to spell out which candidate was which. The beaten candidate was Ron M Estes - his opponent said the M stood for misleading. | |
| The beaten man's campaign was described by some analysts as "not serious". | |
| The winning Ron Estes took about 80% of the vote and will face Democrat James Thompson, a supporter of Bernie Sanders in November. | |
| What's up for election in November? | What's up for election in November? |
| All 435 House seats, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 of 50 governor races are to be fought. | All 435 House seats, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 of 50 governor races are to be fought. |
| The Democrats need to pick up 23 seats in the House to gain a majority. | The Democrats need to pick up 23 seats in the House to gain a majority. |
| With dozens of Republican lawmakers retiring this year, the minority party has a decent chance of taking over the House. | With dozens of Republican lawmakers retiring this year, the minority party has a decent chance of taking over the House. |
| In the Senate they need just two seats to take control. But the Republicans are tipped to retain their majority and perhaps even consolidate it. | In the Senate they need just two seats to take control. But the Republicans are tipped to retain their majority and perhaps even consolidate it. |
| A general opinion poll of voting intentions last Friday suggested Democrats were 6.1 percentage points ahead of Republicans. | A general opinion poll of voting intentions last Friday suggested Democrats were 6.1 percentage points ahead of Republicans. |