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Beto O’Rourke Loses as Senate Outlook Darkens for Democrats Beto O’Rourke Loses as Senate Outlook Darkens for Democrats
(35 minutes later)
• Here’s what to watch as results come in. | Get live results here. | Read more analysis here.• Here’s what to watch as results come in. | Get live results here. | Read more analysis here.
Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, won re-election on Tuesday in one of the tightest midterm races in the country, according to The Associated Press. He defeated the best-financed and most popular Democrat to run in Texas in years, Representative Beto O’Rourke. Read the story here. After notching a series of Senate victories, Republicans moved toward expanding their control of the chamber. The G.O.P. flipped seats in three states — Tennessee, Indiana and North Dakota — that President Trump had won by a large margin in 2016. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas held off a surprisingly strong challenge from Beto O’Rourke.
North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp lost her re-election race, according to The Associated Press. Democrats had hoped to keep their losses to the deep red state, a goal that was quickly shattered by defeats earlier in the evening. While money and momentum favored the Democrats, the party seized more than a dozen of the 23 seats they need to take the House in early returns. Democrats faced mixed results in the governor’s races, picking up wins in Illinois and Michigan.
She was defeated by Representative Kevin Cramer, flipping a state that Mr. Trump carried by double-digits. Read the story here. The returns provided fresh evidence of the deep divisions in American political life with Democrats seizing Republican House seats in suburban districts where affluent educated voters had been vocal in their opposition to Mr. Trump.
Andrew Gillum conceded the race to Ron DeSantis, handing President Trump an important victory.
Mr. DeSantis, 40, fended off Mr. Gillum, one of the strongest candidates Florida Democrats had fielded in years. Republicans have now won every election for governor since 1998.
Mr. Gillum, who ran a powerful campaign to become Florida’s first black governor, conceded the race after running behind most of the night. “We could not be prouder of the way we ran this race,” he told his supporters. “We recognize that we didn’t win this tonight.” Read the story here.
• Joe Donnelly, one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, lost his seat in Indiana to Mike Braun.
• Phil Bredesen, a Democrat and former governor of Tennessee, lost to Representative Marsha Blackburn.
• Senator Ted Cruz defeated Beto O’Rourke, whose underdog campaign mobilized Democrats across the country. Read the story here.
•Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota lost to Representative Kevin Cramer. Read the story here.
•Two embattled Democratic incumbents held onto their seats: Senator Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
Key races in Nevada and Arizona are still being tallied.
As expected, Democrats have won a series of governors races, flipping seats in Illinois and Michigan.As expected, Democrats have won a series of governors races, flipping seats in Illinois and Michigan.
Gretchen Whitmer, a former leader in the Michigan State Senate who ran on a slogan of “fix the damn roads,” won the governor’s mansion in Michigan. In one of the country’s most expensive contests, J.B. Pritzker, the billionaire Hyatt Hotel heir, defeated incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner in Illinois. Democrats also held on to governorships in Pennsylvania and New York.Gretchen Whitmer, a former leader in the Michigan State Senate who ran on a slogan of “fix the damn roads,” won the governor’s mansion in Michigan. In one of the country’s most expensive contests, J.B. Pritzker, the billionaire Hyatt Hotel heir, defeated incumbent Governor Bruce Rauner in Illinois. Democrats also held on to governorships in Pennsylvania and New York.
Those are two big victories for the party, which saw its control of statehouses fall to just 16 states during the Obama administration. Results are still coming in for several key statehouses, including Florida.Those are two big victories for the party, which saw its control of statehouses fall to just 16 states during the Obama administration. Results are still coming in for several key statehouses, including Florida.
Because state governments control redistricting, new Democratic governors could help block Republicans from repeating the post-2010 gerrymandering that helped draw congressional districts in their favor.Because state governments control redistricting, new Democratic governors could help block Republicans from repeating the post-2010 gerrymandering that helped draw congressional districts in their favor.
Representative Marsha Blackburn won the Tennessee Senate race, according to the Associated Press.
Democrats hoped to pull out a victory in the deep red state, which became a surprise battleground in the final weeks of the contest.
Former governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, worked hard to separate himself from the national Democratic party, saying he wouldn’t support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and would back the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Ms. Blackburn tied herself closely to Mr. Trump, campaigning with the president repeatedly in the state.
Senator Joe Manchin won re-election in West Virginia, according to the Associated Press.
Mr. Manchin held on to his seat in a deep red state, largely through breaking with his party on key votes. He was the only Democrat to vote for Justice Brett Kavanaugh and has stressed his willingness to work with Mr. Trump.
Republican businessman Mike Braun, of Indiana, has won his Senate race, beating Senator Joe Donnelly, according to The Associated Press.
Mr. Donnelly’s defeat deals a significant blow to Democratic efforts to retake control of the Senate. Democrats expect Senator Heidi Heitkamp to lose her reelection race in North Dakota. That means the party has to sweep all four remaining competitive senate races to win the majority, an extremely high bar.
The Indiana race was a neck-and-neck contest until the final days, attracting top surrogates from both parties in the final days, including former President Barack Obama and two visits from Mr. Trump.
Mr. Donnelly was one of the most conservative Democrats in the Senate, who supported Mr. Trump’s proposed border wall and refusing to rule out changing birthright citizenship. Mr. Braun, meanwhile, ran as a staunch backer of the president.
The former Massachusetts governor and two-time presidential candidate won the Utah Senate race, according to the Associated Press.The former Massachusetts governor and two-time presidential candidate won the Utah Senate race, according to the Associated Press.
Mr. Romney defeated Jenny Wilson, the Democrat, in his largely uncompetitive race. Moderate Republicans hope he’ll be a check on the president, given his vocal criticism of Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign. Read more about why he ran here.Mr. Romney defeated Jenny Wilson, the Democrat, in his largely uncompetitive race. Moderate Republicans hope he’ll be a check on the president, given his vocal criticism of Mr. Trump during the 2016 campaign. Read more about why he ran here.
Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, was elected to a third term on Tuesday, withstanding a public backlash over his federal corruption trial and the official Senate criticism he received for misusing his office for personal gain. That’s a relief for Democrats who worried that the unpopular senator could deal a surprise blow to their already challenging chances of taking control of the chamber.
Read more about the race here.
Polls have closed in 15 more states, including Arizona, Wisconsin and Minnesota.Polls have closed in 15 more states, including Arizona, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Minnesota has been ground zero for the Democratic efforts to retake the House, with half of the state’s seats in play. In Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema, the Democrat, and Martha McSally, the Republican, are vying in a tight race for Senator Jeff Flake’s seat.Minnesota has been ground zero for the Democratic efforts to retake the House, with half of the state’s seats in play. In Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema, the Democrat, and Martha McSally, the Republican, are vying in a tight race for Senator Jeff Flake’s seat.
And in Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker is facing a tough re-election battle against Tony Evers, the Democrat.And in Wisconsin, Governor Scott Walker is facing a tough re-election battle against Tony Evers, the Democrat.
Representative Andy Barr, an incumbent Republican, defeated Amy McGrath, one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent challengers, according to The Associated Press.Representative Andy Barr, an incumbent Republican, defeated Amy McGrath, one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent challengers, according to The Associated Press.
The contest took on national importance as a proxy for whether Democrats could win over white working class voters in rural areas and whether women would rise up against the barbed-wire rhetoric and harsh policies of the Trump presidency.The contest took on national importance as a proxy for whether Democrats could win over white working class voters in rural areas and whether women would rise up against the barbed-wire rhetoric and harsh policies of the Trump presidency.
Democrats picked up two House seats early in the evening, with victories for Donna Shalala, in Florida, and Jennifer Wexton, in Virginia.Democrats picked up two House seats early in the evening, with victories for Donna Shalala, in Florida, and Jennifer Wexton, in Virginia.
Ms. Shalala, a former Clinton administration cabinet official, beat Maria Elvira Salazar, a former broadcast journalist, for the Miami-area seat in a heavily Latino district.Ms. Shalala, a former Clinton administration cabinet official, beat Maria Elvira Salazar, a former broadcast journalist, for the Miami-area seat in a heavily Latino district.
Ms. Wexton has been leading Representative Barbara Comstock for months, leaving many in the party to anticipate her loss even as Republican officials kept spending money to support her re-election bid.Ms. Wexton has been leading Representative Barbara Comstock for months, leaving many in the party to anticipate her loss even as Republican officials kept spending money to support her re-election bid.
Her Northern Virginia district is home to a significant population of affluent, college-educated women, who’s been energized by their opposition to the president. How well Democrats do with that demographic will be crucial to their success in the suburban House races that make up many of the most competitive contests.Her Northern Virginia district is home to a significant population of affluent, college-educated women, who’s been energized by their opposition to the president. How well Democrats do with that demographic will be crucial to their success in the suburban House races that make up many of the most competitive contests.
Their victories mark bright spots for Democrats, who’ve watched as their hopes have been dashed with losses in districts they’d hoped would be competitive elsewhere in Florida.Their victories mark bright spots for Democrats, who’ve watched as their hopes have been dashed with losses in districts they’d hoped would be competitive elsewhere in Florida.
See more results from Virginia here.See more results from Virginia here.
House Republicans have successfully defended a few conservative-leaning districts where Democrats saw at least some hope for upset victories, limiting Democrats’ potential gains in Florida’s historically Republican outer suburbs.House Republicans have successfully defended a few conservative-leaning districts where Democrats saw at least some hope for upset victories, limiting Democrats’ potential gains in Florida’s historically Republican outer suburbs.
Three Republican incumbents — Representatives Brian Mast, Vern Buchanan and Mario Diaz-Balart — held their seats in districts based near Palm Beach, Tampa and Miami, respectively. In a fourth race, Michael Waltz, a Republican, claimed a seat outside Jacksonville left vacant by former Representative Ron DeSantis, who resigned to run for governor.Three Republican incumbents — Representatives Brian Mast, Vern Buchanan and Mario Diaz-Balart — held their seats in districts based near Palm Beach, Tampa and Miami, respectively. In a fourth race, Michael Waltz, a Republican, claimed a seat outside Jacksonville left vacant by former Representative Ron DeSantis, who resigned to run for governor.
Democrats were not counting on any of the four districts in order to amass 218 seats for a House majority. But in recent weeks they had seriously contested the Mast and DeSantis seats, especially, and the ease with which Republicans held them may indicate a limit to Democratic inroads in areas with conservative political DNA.Democrats were not counting on any of the four districts in order to amass 218 seats for a House majority. But in recent weeks they had seriously contested the Mast and DeSantis seats, especially, and the ease with which Republicans held them may indicate a limit to Democratic inroads in areas with conservative political DNA.
See more results from Florida here.See more results from Florida here.
At 8 p.m., polls closed in 20 more states, among them parts of Texas, Florida and Michigan.At 8 p.m., polls closed in 20 more states, among them parts of Texas, Florida and Michigan.
In Texas, Beto O’Rouke’s campaign mobilized Democrats across the country, as he’s closed the gap with Senator Ted Cruz. In Michigan, an all-female Democratic ticket, led by Gretchen Whitmer, the candidate for governor, is expected to make gains. And in Florida, Andrew Gillum would become the state’s first black governor if he beats former Representative Ron DeSantis, a Republican.In Texas, Beto O’Rouke’s campaign mobilized Democrats across the country, as he’s closed the gap with Senator Ted Cruz. In Michigan, an all-female Democratic ticket, led by Gretchen Whitmer, the candidate for governor, is expected to make gains. And in Florida, Andrew Gillum would become the state’s first black governor if he beats former Representative Ron DeSantis, a Republican.
Results will also start coming soon for tight Senate races in Tennessee and Missouri.Results will also start coming soon for tight Senate races in Tennessee and Missouri.
Democratic senators in Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut have won their re-election races, as widely expected. The winners include Senator Elizabeth Warren, who spent much of her re-election campaign all but openly running for president. This fall, Ms. Warren said she would “take a hard look” at running for the White House after the midterms are over.Democratic senators in Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut have won their re-election races, as widely expected. The winners include Senator Elizabeth Warren, who spent much of her re-election campaign all but openly running for president. This fall, Ms. Warren said she would “take a hard look” at running for the White House after the midterms are over.
She’s argued that a female president could fix a “broken Washington.”She’s argued that a female president could fix a “broken Washington.”
At 7 p.m. polls closed in: Georgia, much of Florida, New Hampshire, the remainder of Indiana, Western Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.At 7 p.m. polls closed in: Georgia, much of Florida, New Hampshire, the remainder of Indiana, Western Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia.
That means ballots will begin being counted in two of the most hotly contested governor’s races: Georgia and Florida. Democratic wins in both races would mark historic firsts for their states: Stacey Abrams would become the first black female governor in the country, and Andrew Gillum would become the first black governor in Florida.That means ballots will begin being counted in two of the most hotly contested governor’s races: Georgia and Florida. Democratic wins in both races would mark historic firsts for their states: Stacey Abrams would become the first black female governor in the country, and Andrew Gillum would become the first black governor in Florida.
In Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the country’s first openly transgender nominee for a major party in a governor’s race, is trying to oust a popular Republican incumbent.In Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the country’s first openly transgender nominee for a major party in a governor’s race, is trying to oust a popular Republican incumbent.
TOPEKA, Kan. — After months of parades and debates and commercials and bus tours, it was time to wait.TOPEKA, Kan. — After months of parades and debates and commercials and bus tours, it was time to wait.
Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach, the Trump acolyte running for governor of Kansas, stood in a hotel ballroom in Topeka as Election Day faded into election night. The sprawling room was mostly empty, but patriotic table decorations, Kansas-shaped chocolate bars and stacks of dinner plates were already in place. In a few hours, the polls would close. His supporters would arrive.Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach, the Trump acolyte running for governor of Kansas, stood in a hotel ballroom in Topeka as Election Day faded into election night. The sprawling room was mostly empty, but patriotic table decorations, Kansas-shaped chocolate bars and stacks of dinner plates were already in place. In a few hours, the polls would close. His supporters would arrive.
Mr. Kobach, who barely won the Republican primary for governor, had spent the last months locked in an exceptionally close race with the Democratic nominee, State Senator Laura Kelly. One poll would show a two-point lead for one candidate, another a one-point lead for the other.Mr. Kobach, who barely won the Republican primary for governor, had spent the last months locked in an exceptionally close race with the Democratic nominee, State Senator Laura Kelly. One poll would show a two-point lead for one candidate, another a one-point lead for the other.
“It looks like it’s high turnout in more conservative counties and high turnout in more liberal counties,” Mr. Kobach told reporters Tuesday afternoon as Fox News played on a giant projection screen beside him. “I’m thinking that a lot of the pollster models may be off. Which direction they are off, who knows. We’ll find out tonight.”“It looks like it’s high turnout in more conservative counties and high turnout in more liberal counties,” Mr. Kobach told reporters Tuesday afternoon as Fox News played on a giant projection screen beside him. “I’m thinking that a lot of the pollster models may be off. Which direction they are off, who knows. We’ll find out tonight.”
After Ms. Kelly cast her ballot earlier Tuesday, at a theater in another part of Topeka, she said she was putting the finishing touches on her election night speech. Multiple versions of it.After Ms. Kelly cast her ballot earlier Tuesday, at a theater in another part of Topeka, she said she was putting the finishing touches on her election night speech. Multiple versions of it.
— Mitch Smith— Mitch Smith
Early exit polls reported by CNN on Tuesday night showed a gloomy mood in the country after months of contentious campaigning against a recent backdrop of racial tensions and spurts of violence.Early exit polls reported by CNN on Tuesday night showed a gloomy mood in the country after months of contentious campaigning against a recent backdrop of racial tensions and spurts of violence.
Fifty-six percent of voters said they thought the country was headed in the wrong direction, the cable network reported, with 56 percent disapproving of President Trump, 54 percent disapproving of the Republican Party and 55 percent disapproving of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives.Fifty-six percent of voters said they thought the country was headed in the wrong direction, the cable network reported, with 56 percent disapproving of President Trump, 54 percent disapproving of the Republican Party and 55 percent disapproving of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives.
That pessimism belied the positive impression most voters hold about the economy halfway through Mr. Trump’s term. Sixty-eight percent of voters said they believed the economy was in good shape, according to the exit polls, and when it came to personal finances only 14 percent of voters said they were worse off than a year ago. Eighty four percent said their finances were either better off or in the same position.That pessimism belied the positive impression most voters hold about the economy halfway through Mr. Trump’s term. Sixty-eight percent of voters said they believed the economy was in good shape, according to the exit polls, and when it came to personal finances only 14 percent of voters said they were worse off than a year ago. Eighty four percent said their finances were either better off or in the same position.
Mr. Trump has sought to frame the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency and has campaigned on appeals to law and order and fears over illegal immigration. But exit polls reported by CNN suggested that most voters have been focused on something else: health care.Mr. Trump has sought to frame the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency and has campaigned on appeals to law and order and fears over illegal immigration. But exit polls reported by CNN suggested that most voters have been focused on something else: health care.
Forty one percent of voters said that health care was the most important issue facing the country, while only 23 percent cited immigration. The economy was the number one issue for 21 percent of voters, and 11 percent said they were most concerned with gun policy.Forty one percent of voters said that health care was the most important issue facing the country, while only 23 percent cited immigration. The economy was the number one issue for 21 percent of voters, and 11 percent said they were most concerned with gun policy.
Overall, 39 percent of voters said they went to the polls to express their opposition to the president, while 26 percent said they wanted to show support for him. Thirty-three percent said Mr. Trump was not a factor in their vote.Overall, 39 percent of voters said they went to the polls to express their opposition to the president, while 26 percent said they wanted to show support for him. Thirty-three percent said Mr. Trump was not a factor in their vote.
— Liam Stack— Liam Stack
What happens in the Midwest?
Midwestern states helped make Mr. Trump president. Democrats think that all changes tonight, while Republicans are hoping for a couple of crucial, high-profile wins.
In Senate and governor’s races, Democrats believe they are prepared to rebuild the “blue wall” that Mr. Trump breached in 2016, particularly in Michigan. The biggest prize of the night would be toppling Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, whose conservative agenda has diminished the power of labor unions in that state.
But Republicans are betting that Mr. Walker hangs on, and that the party could win the governor’s race in Ohio.
Is history made or not?
Much of the attention has centered on a few high-profile candidates, like Andrew Gillum, who would be the first African-American governor of Florida, and Stacey Abrams, who would be the first African-American female governor in any state. But other barriers are almost sure to fall, like the election of the first Muslim-American woman in Congress and the first openly gay man to be elected governor of any state (in this case, Colorado).
What issues will have the greatest impact?
If American voters had only followed the 2018 election through Democratic campaign ads, they may have thought that the campaign was entirely defined by health care.
If they score major victories in the House tonight, their strategy of focusing more on health care than President Trump will be vindicated.
For Republicans, the issue set is more divergent. Some of their candidates in more moderate areas have focused intently on trumpeting the health of the economy.
But other Republican contenders in more conservative-leaning areas have echoed Mr. Trump’s hard-line rhetoric on issues related to race and immigration, hoping that sounding Trumpian notes will lure his voters out to the polls in larger numbers.
What kind of night will President Trump have?
What’s not in much doubt Tuesday night is whether Mr. Trump will accept any blame if Republicans suffer losses. Spoiler: he likely will not.
The best possible outcome for the president would be if his party retains its House majority, no matter how narrowly, while adding to its one-seat Senate majority and minimizing losses in governorships.
A bad night for Mr. Trump would be if Republicans lost the House, most of the most competitive governor’s races and did not net any Senate seats.
A disastrous night for the president? Democrats take control of the Senate and the House.
[The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.][The election in pictures: Our photographers are spread across the country, documenting the final moments.]