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| US mid-terms: Republicans make early Senate gains | US mid-terms: Republicans make early Senate gains |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Republican Party is making early gains in the US Senate, where they need just six seats to take control of the chamber, initial results in the US mid-term elections show. | |
| The party has already picked up three Senate seats - in Arkansas, South Dakota and West Virginia, says AP news. | |
| The Republican Party leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, has retained his seat in Kentucky. | |
| But the Democrats have held on to the key Senate seat of New Hampshire. | |
| "I've heard your concerns, I've made them my own, you will be heard in Washington," said Mitch McConnell in his victory speech after Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes conceded the race. | |
| "When you get right down to it that's what this campaign was really all about. It's wasn't about me or my opponent. It was about a government that people can no longer trust." | |
| As polls close across the country, early results indicate a number of both Democratic and Republican Senate incumbents have held onto their seats. | As polls close across the country, early results indicate a number of both Democratic and Republican Senate incumbents have held onto their seats. |
| Projections show Republicans have retained seats in Mississippi, Alabama, Maine, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. | Projections show Republicans have retained seats in Mississippi, Alabama, Maine, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee. |
| Democrats have retained seats in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware and New Jersey. | Democrats have retained seats in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware and New Jersey. |
| As well as a third of the 100-seat Senate, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 36 out of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices are up for election. | As well as a third of the 100-seat Senate, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 36 out of 50 state governors, and countless state and local offices are up for election. |
| Early projections indicate the Republicans will increase their control over the House. | Early projections indicate the Republicans will increase their control over the House. |
| In the governor elections, Democrat Tom Wolf looks to unseat the Republican incumbent Tom Corbett. In Arkansas, Republican Asa Hutchinson has defeated Democrat Mike Ross. | |
| Republican incumbents retained their seats in Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama. | |
| In Florida a former Republican, Charlie Crist, is running to become a Democratic governor and hopes to beat the incumbent, Rick Scott, in what is expected to be a very close run race. | |
| Throughout the campaign, the Democrats have battled to stay ahead as President Barack Obama's approval ratings fell to the lowest they have been since he was elected. | Throughout the campaign, the Democrats have battled to stay ahead as President Barack Obama's approval ratings fell to the lowest they have been since he was elected. |
| Many analysts have predicted a Republican victory as Mr Obama's popularity rate has failed to climb much above 40%, despite recent improvements in the economy. | Many analysts have predicted a Republican victory as Mr Obama's popularity rate has failed to climb much above 40%, despite recent improvements in the economy. |
| If the Republicans succeed in taking control of the Senate from the Democratic Party, Mr McConnell is set to become the majority leader. | |
| As the Republicans already have a convincing hold over the lower House of Representatives, a win in the Senate would give them the power to shut down Mr Obama's policies in the last two years of his term. | As the Republicans already have a convincing hold over the lower House of Representatives, a win in the Senate would give them the power to shut down Mr Obama's policies in the last two years of his term. |
| Analysis: Jon Sopel, North America editor | Analysis: Jon Sopel, North America editor |
| I have spoken to Democrats and Republicans and they all said the same thing - they were sick of the partisan posturing, the gridlock, the inability to work together, the dysfunctional relationship between Congress and White House, between legislature and executive. | I have spoken to Democrats and Republicans and they all said the same thing - they were sick of the partisan posturing, the gridlock, the inability to work together, the dysfunctional relationship between Congress and White House, between legislature and executive. |
| All of which begs the question - what difference will it make if the Republicans do take control of the Senate? | All of which begs the question - what difference will it make if the Republicans do take control of the Senate? |
| Some are predicting that it will be gridlock on steroids. In other words, just like before - only worse. | Some are predicting that it will be gridlock on steroids. In other words, just like before - only worse. |
| Others, who've clearly read Voltaire's Candide and based their philosophy on the ever-optimistic Dr Pangloss, think we will go to the sunny uplands of politics. | Others, who've clearly read Voltaire's Candide and based their philosophy on the ever-optimistic Dr Pangloss, think we will go to the sunny uplands of politics. |
| Will the US mid-term elections change anything? | Will the US mid-term elections change anything? |
| Aside from Mr Obama's unpopularity, there is no single issue that dominates this mid-term poll. | |
| Instead voters will be swayed by a broad variety of concerns including the economy, the environment, immigration, foreign policy, abortion and healthcare. In addition, the Republicans have sought to make the election a referendum on Mr Obama's policies and performance. | |
| Across the board, voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with both parties' inability to co-operate in Congress and the resulting gridlock this has caused. | Across the board, voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with both parties' inability to co-operate in Congress and the resulting gridlock this has caused. |
| Six Senate races to watch | Six Senate races to watch |
| Guide to key Senate races | Guide to key Senate races |
| Why vote matters | Why vote matters |