US midterm elections HIGHLIGHTS: Democrats retake the House, setting up divided government

Ending eight years of Republican control that began with the tea party revolt of 2010, Democrats picked off more than two dozen GOP-held districts in suburbs across the nation.
Democrat Jennifer Wexton (L) smiles as former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe gives her a kiss at her election night party after defeating Republican Barbara Comstock (Photo | AP)
Democrat Jennifer Wexton (L) smiles as former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe gives her a kiss at her election night party after defeating Republican Barbara Comstock (Photo | AP)

The Democrats took back the House with a surge of fresh new candidates and an outpouring of voter enthusiasm Tuesday, breaking the GOP's monopoly on power in Washington and setting the stage for a multitude of investigations of President Donald Trump that could engulf his administration over the next two years.

Votes are being counted after millions cast their ballots to elect members to both houses of Congress—the House of Representatives (lower house) which has 435 seats and the Senate (upper house) with 100 seats.

In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are up for election. Thirty-five seats in the Senate are up for election, as well as 39 governorships in 36 states and three US territories.

Trump's Republican party currently has a majority in the Senate and House of Representatives, and the outcome will determine the next two years of US President Donald Trump’s presidency.

The midterm elections, held every four years, is seen as a referendum on the President.

In the House of Representatives, the Republicans hold 240 seats against the Democrats’ 195. In the Senate, the tally is a close 51:49 to the Republicans—the Democrats need two seats to take control of the house.

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:

The president has not tweeted about the Democrats winning back the House

Healthcare, immigration key factors

Health care and immigration were high on voters’ minds as they cast ballots in the midterm elections, as per a wide-ranging survey by the AP.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi is hailing “a new day in America.”

Trump calls Nancy Pelosi

President Donald Trump has called to congratulate Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi as her party stood on the brink of recapturing the House of Representatives.

Brad Little becomes Idaho governor

Republican Brad Little, the current Idaho lieutenant governor, has become the state’s governor:

Tish James becomes first African-American woman elected to statewide office

First Latinas elected to Congress from Texas

Janet Mills becomes Maine’s first woman governor

Maine has elected state Attorney General Janet Mills as governor, which makes her the first woman to hold the state’s highest office.

Democrat Ayanna Pressley became Massachusetts’ first black woman elected to Congress. (Photo | AP)

11:30 AM UPDATE

Democrats have won half the seats they need to reclaim the House majority, while Republicans are still picking up key Senate contests.

Republican Ron DeSantis Florida's next governor

The 40-year-old former congressman and Navy officer won Tuesday after Trump came to Florida twice in the final six days of the election to help increase Republican turnout. Democrat Andrew Gillum was hoping to become Florida's first black governor.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger of Virginia defeated Republican incumbent Dave Brat in suburban Richmond to give Democrats the 23rd pickup.

Democrats have picked up at least 23 House seats, putting them on track to reach the 218 needed to seize control from Republicans after eight years.

Record year for women

Women will break the current record of 84 serving at the same time in the U.S. House, the AP reports. Women have so far won 75 seats and are assured of victory in nine districts where women are the only major-party candidates. From the Women's March opposing President Donald Trump the day after he was inaugurated in January 2017 through a stream of sexual assault accusations later that year that sparked the #MeToo movement, outrage and organizing by women have defined Democratic Party politics this election cycle.

End of race in Florida

Democrat Bill Nelson in Florida loses to outgoing governor Rick Scott.

According to White House reporters, it's unlikely that Trump will be making a public appearance tonight.

President Trump reacts to Senate projections

With the Republicans set to retain hold of the Senate, President Trump tweets, "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"

First time in history two native American women elected to Congress

Democrat candidate Sharice Davids, 38, of Kansas, is an attorney by training and a former mixed martial arts fighter. She is also openly lesbian, in a state that is traditionally conservative. Deb Haaland, 57, of New Mexico, beat Janice Arnold-Jones, a Republican, and Lloyd Princeton, a Libertarian. READ FULL STORY HERE

Ilhan Omar, originally from Somalia, has won from Minnesota's 5th congressional district. The first Somali American woman voted to Congress poses for a picture after her victory. (AP)

HOUSE RESULTS LIVE

SENATE RESULTS LIVE

EXPLAINED: Key factors of the 2018 elections

Immigration, health care, jobs, women and also Trump are the most important issues being discussed: READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

BREAKING: Democrats retake House, Republicans keep Senate

Democrats on Tuesday captured the House of Representatives for the first time in eight years to exert a major institutional check on President Donald Trump but Trump's Republicans maintained their Senate majority in crucial midterms.

Ted Cruz retains Senate seat

Republican Senator Ted Cruz retains his Senate seat from Texas, defeating Democrat Beto O'Rourke.READ REPORT HERE: https://goo.gl/7MUUJM

In a first, two Muslim women have been elected to Congress.

Rashida Tlaib (left in picture), who was born to Palestinian immigrant parents, won Michigan's 13th congressional district. Ilhan Omar, originally from Somalia, has won from Minnesota's 5th congressional district. She replaces the first Muslim congressman Keith Ellison.

Democrat Laura Kelly elected Governor of Kansas

Democrat Laura Kelly has defeated Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and independent Greg Orman and has been elected Governor of Kansas.

Democrat Jared Polis becomes America's first openly gay Governor

Democrat Jared Polis was elected as Governor of Colorado after defeating Republican Walker Stapleton. READ FULL STORY HERE: https://goo.gl/ALXpP6

Mitt Romney wins from Utah

Former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has won the election to the Senate from Utah, defeating Democrat Jenny Wilson.

Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez becomes youngest woman to enter Congress

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, has won New York's 14th Congressional district, making her the youngest women to be elected to Congress. Ocasio-Cortez defeated Republican Anthony Pappas

House of Representatives: Republican Greg Pence wins

Greg Pence, the brother of Vice-President Mike Pence, has won in Indiana. Greg defeated Democrat Jeannine Lee Lake to win the seat for the Republicans.

Three-time Senator Bernie Sanders wins from Vermont

Vermont's Bernie Sanders has cruised to re-election for his third term in the Senate, easily outpacing eight candidates. Sanders, an independent, defeated Lawrence Zupan, a Republican and real estate broker from Manchester.

The Democrats have history on their side: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Democrats hope for Senate majority

Democrats and some independents have been motivated by President Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric and policies and his efforts to dismantle health care protections enacted under President Barack Obama.

Not the first split Congress

In the 2010 midterms, during the regime of President Barack Obama, Republicans gained control of the Senate and obstructed legislation moved by Democrats.

EXPLAINED: WHY ARE THE MIDTERM POLLS IMPORTANT?

It looks like it is going to be a split house with the Republicans poised to retain control of the Senate and the Democrats projected to win back the House of Representatives. If Democrats take control of one house, in terms of legislation, the would be able to block government reforms. However, despite being in control of the House, Democrats will not be able to impeach President Trump as this requires the support from two-thirds of the Senate.

FACTFILE

House of Representatives: The ruling Republicans hold 240 seats and the Democrats 195. Democrats need to gain 23 more seats to get majority.

US Senate: Republicans to Democrats hold a slim majority — 51:49. The Democrats need to add two more seats.

Any attempt to impeach President Trump, however, is likely to run headlong into resistance in the GOP-controlled Senate.

As the majority party, the Democrats will chair important committees and will have expansive powers to investigate the president, his business dealings and the inner workings of his administration, including whether anyone from the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Democrat candidate Lt. Gavin Newsom waves to the crowd after defeating Republican opponent John Cox to become the 40th governor of California (Photo | AP)

Democrat Sisolak wins Nevada governor's race

Steve Sisolak repeatedly campaigned on a pledge to stand up to President Donald Trump, who supported his Republican opponent Adam Laxalt.

Alaska re-elects Republican Don Young

The Congressman, who recently faced widespread condemnation for his statement that the Jews could have avoided perishing in the Holocaust if they had armed themselves, defeating education advocate Alyse Galvin.

Democrats will control the House, but Trump will point to GOP success in the Senate as proof that he defied the odds and avoided the type of midterm wipe-out that afflicted his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.

A series of firsts this midterm polls

Here is a full list of the Native Americans, Muslims, LGBT and women candidates who have made history.

There are nine other Indian-Americans, six Democrats, two Republicans and one Independent, who are seeking election to the House.

4 Indian-Americans, all Democrats, seek re-election to the House

They are three-term Congressman Ami Bera from the seventh Congressional district of California and three first timers, who are seeking their re-election: Ro Khanna from 17th Congressional District of California, Raja Krishnamoorthi from eighth Congressional District of Illinois and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal from seventh Congressional District of Washington State.

Democrat Stacey Abrams says votes remain to be counted in the tight Georgia governor’s race and vows to wait for them all.

Democrat Joe Cunningham wins from S Carolina

Democrat Joe Cunningham wins election to House in South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

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