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Control of Congress Hangs in the Balance

Control of Congress Hangs in the Balance
U.S. Capitol Building | Image by Shutterstock

11 a.m. November 10

The red wave of Republicans being elected to the U.S. Senate and House on Election Day did not materialize.

Republicans were expected to sweep into control of Congress. If they do, it will be by a margin that is razor-thin.

As of Thursday, Republicans had a 49-48 lead over Democrats in the race to control the Senate, according to Fox News estimates. Races in Arizona and Nevada were too close to call.

Incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and challenger Herschel Walker will face a runoff in Georgia. With 99% of precincts reporting, Warnock was leading 49.6% to 48.3% and Libertarian Chase Oliver was the spoiler at 2.1%. Georgia law requires a runoff if no candidate receives 50% of the vote.

In House races, Republicans lead 208-185, according to Fox News reports. A party needs 218 seats to control the House. Finger-pointing was brisk on Wednesday and Thursday. Some Republicans were questioning whether Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) would be Speaker of the House if Republicans take over.

“I would say maybe not so fast,” U.S. Rep. Andy Briggs (R-AZ) told Fox News. “Maybe we should have a good discussion within the confines of our internal body. Look, we were told we were going to have an incredible, incredible wave. And if that would’ve been the case, any 20, 30, 40-seat margin, anywhere in there you would say, ‘OK, Kevin is the presumptive Republican nominee for speaker.'”

“But I think we need to have a serious discussion,” Biggs continued. “He’s backpedaled on things like impeachment and, in some ways, that indicates a willingness to be weakening the oversight authority that we need to have and the leverage points we need to have in order to deal with a Democrat president.”

Some were criticizing former President Donald Trump, who said Monday he deserved the credit if Republicans won but not the blame if they lost.

“The election was a lot closer than it should have been because Trump endorsed some candidates in Republican primaries who were inexperienced, first time-candidates not ready for a very intense, high-profile Senate race,” Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist and pollster, told Time magazine.

In a marquee race, Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman beat Republican television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania. Trump’s endorsement in the Republican primary tipped the race to Oz.

Historically, the party in the White House — in this case, Democratic President Joe Biden — loses significantly in midterm elections.

In 22 midterm elections since 1934, the president’s party has averaged a loss of 28 House seats and four Senate seats.

Democrats lost six Senate seats and 63 House seats in 2010 under President Barack Obama.

Republicans lost 40 House seats but gained two Senate seats under Trump in 2018.

11:59 p.m. November 8

Control of Congress remained uncertain late Tuesday night, with Democrats hoping to hold off a Republican takeover in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Former Dallas Cowboys running back Herschel Walker, whose first race for public office was plagued by allegations about his personal life, was in a dead heat with incumbent U.S. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat.

In Georgia, candidates must win with a 50%-plus-one margin to avoid going into a run-off election.

With 85% of the vote counted, Walker and Warnock were at 49%. Libertarian Chase Oliver, the spoiler, was at 2%.

The Senate was a 50-50 split going into Tuesday’s races.

In South Carolina, Republican Tim Scott hinted at a presidential run in 2024 after his victory.

“My grandfather voted for the first man of color to be elected as president of the United States,” Scott told supporters, referring to former President Barack Obama. “I wish he had lived long enough to see perhaps another man of color elected president of the United States.”

“But this time,” he added, “let it be a Republican and not just a Democrat.”

In Colorado, Republicans thought they had a chance of ousting incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet, who was seeking a third term. Their hopes were dashed, however, as Bennet was projected as the winner over Denver business executive Joe O’Dea (52-41%).

In Florida, Sen. Marco Rubio was elected to a third term over his Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Val Demings. Fox News called the race for Rubio at around 7 p.m. CST.

In Oklahoma, Congressman Markwayne Mullin won the race for Jim Inhofe’s open Senate seat. Mullin defeated former U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn.

In Ohio, Fox News projected J.D. Vance would defeat U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.

Competitive races in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina were toss-ups at press time.

Governor’s races

Republicans continue to hold an edge in governor’s seats.

It was 28-22 going into Tuesday night’s elections.

Maryland and Massachusetts were the Democrats’ best chances for gains, and they prevailed.

In Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey defeated former Massachusetts state, Rep. Geoff Diehl.

In Maryland, Democrat Wes Moore’s victory flipped a Republican seat.

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp won a contentious rematch with Democrat Stacey Abrams with an easier-than-expected 54-45% margin.

In Arkansas, Republican candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders prevailed over Democratic challenger Chris Jones. Huckabee Sanders is the daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee and former press secretary for former President Donald Trump.

In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential candidate, easily defeated Democrat Charlie Crist, a former Florida governor.

In Arizona, Donald Trump-backed Republican Kari Lake, a former TV anchor, was an early leader.

In Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro was the projected winner over Republican Doug Mastriano.

In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was leading conservative Republican Tudor Dixon in her bid to stay in office.

Congressional races

In some key races for the U.S. House:

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defeated Democrat Marcus Flowers to win re-election in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. Flowers raised millions of dollars from donors across the nation who were hoping to unseat Greene.

Democrat Maxwell Alejandro Frost became the first member of Generation Z to win a seat in Congress. The 25-year-old Frost was elected from Florida’s 10th Congressional District.

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3 Comments

  1. Anna

    Congratulations to Governor Abbott for his third term win!!

    Reply
    • Keepin it real!

      Why don’t we just elect him King?

      Reply
  2. Keepin it real!

    Looks like the Republican “red wave” turned into a trickle.

    Reply

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