#Midtermelections2022: Democrats hold on in several key races but Republicans surge…

Only one word is fit to sum up the results from the Senate, House and governorship races that have come in thus far: surprise. The 8 November midterm elections were expected to be rough for Joe Biden’s allies, potentially costing them control of one or both chambers of Congress. Instead, Democrats are showing surprising strength, holding on to Senate seats and beating back Republican challengers in several crucial House races. Full results are not in yet, and when the dust settles, the GOP may well have eked out the majorities they were expected to have. But it’s plain tonight has not gone as expected for many Republicans across the country – and may end up defying the historical trend of voters using the midterm elections to punish the party in the White House:

• Two of three Virginia Democrats in districts considered bellwethers for the national mood have won reelection, in what was an early sign of good news for Democrats.
• Democrat Josh Shapiro bested 2020 election denier Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania’s governorship race.
• John Fetterman declared victory in his race for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat. The Associated Press has not yet called the race.
• Maryland elected the first Black governor in its history, Democrat Wes Moore.
• Florida’s voters tilted further towards Republicans, reelecting firebrand governor Ron DeSantis and senator Marco Rubio.
• From Washington to New York, Democrats defied Republicans’ rosy predictions that they’d fall apart this year, even in their traditional strongholds.
• JD Vance won the Republican Senate race in Ohio, dashing Democrats’ hopes of picking up another seat in the chamber.

Summary

1. The battle for control of the US Senate is on a knife-edge with Democrats projected to win the Senate seat in the key state of Pennsylvania
2. Democrat John Fetterman celebrates his Senate win in the state – beating Republican Mehmet Oz – and declares “we held the line”
3. Control of Congress hangs on the results of tight senate races in the states of Georgia, Arizona and Nevada – so far yet to be called
4. Democrat Maggie Hassan has fended off a tough challenge for her senate seat in New Hampshire while Republican JD Vance has won in Ohio
5. Meanwhile Republicans are on course to take control of the House of Representatives
6. The loss by the Democrats of either the House or the Senate will enable the Republicans to block President Joe Biden’s agenda
7. In high-profile contests for governors’ seats, Republican Brian Kemp has defeated Democrat Stacy Abrams in Georgia and Republican Ron DeSantis has won in Florida
8. You can watch BBC News live coverage of the US midterm elections 2022 by clicking the ‘play button’ at the top of this page