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Beto O’Rourke Loses as Senate Outlook Darkens for Democrats Democrats Look to Midwest and West for Bigger House Gains
(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.
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. Republicans moved toward expanding their control of the Senate as Democrats were poised to take power in the House, with incomplete election results pointing toward a reafirmation of a deeply divided nation.
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. The G.O.P. flipped seats in three states — Indiana, Missouri and North Dakota — that President Trump had won by a large margin in 2016, and won an open seat in Tennessee. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas held off a surprisingly strong challenge from Beto O’Rourke.
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. 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, Kansas and Michigan, but losing the coveted battleground of Florida.
Andrew Gillum conceded the race to Ron DeSantis, handing President Trump an important victory. The returns provided fresh evidence of the partisan split 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.
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.• 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.• 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 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. • 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. • Two embattled Democratic incumbents held onto their seats: Senator Bob Menendez, of New Jersey, and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
• Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat of Missouri, was defeated by Josh Hawley, the state attorney general. Read the story here.
Key races in Nevada and Arizona are still being tallied.Key races in Nevada and Arizona are still being tallied.
Laura Kelly, a Democratic state senator, won the Kansas governor’s race, according to The Associated Press.
Ms. Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state who is a strong ally of Mr. Trump and is known for his hard-line positions on immigration and voting rights.
Democrats rejoiced when Mr. Kobach won the Republican primary believing his polarizing history would offer them fresh opportunities in the red-leaning great plains state.
The Mississippi Senate race advanced to a run-off between Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican, and Mike Espy, a Democrat, according to The Associated Press.
The state uses a so-called jungle primary system, where if no candidate reaches a 50 percent threshold, the top two vote-getters face each other in a runoff election. Neither Ms. Hyde-Smith, who was appointed to fill Senator Thad Cochran’s seat, nor Mr. Espy broke that bar. Chris McDaniel, a conservative, failed to make the cutoff.
Their run-off is scheduled for Nov. 27.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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
[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.]