Republicans Secure US Senate, Strengthen Position in House
Republicans have gained control of the US Senate, winning key races in West Virginia and Ohio, and ensuring that Donald Trump’s party will hold at least one chamber of Congress next year. These victories allow Republicans to support a Trump administration’s appointments if he wins or to challenge Kamala Harris’s agenda should she become president. West Virginia’s Senate seat, previously held by Democrat-turned-independent Joe Manchin, went to Republican Jim Justice, while Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno defeated incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown, securing a 51-49 majority for the GOP in the Senate.
The GOP also made early gains in the House, expanding their majority by flipping Democratic-held seats in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Democrats saw success in upstate New York and Alabama, where a new district was created to increase Black representation. As the House races remain competitive, Democrats would need to capture at least six seats to regain control. With fewer than 40 competitive races, the final outcome for House control could take several days to determine, particularly in New York and California, where ballot counts are often delayed.
Meanwhile, Delaware made history by electing Democrat Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, while the Senate is set to have two Black women serve simultaneously for the first time, with Delaware's Lisa Blunt Rochester and Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks projected to win.
If Republicans continue to win key races in states like Montana, where Democrat Jon Tester faces a tough reelection, they could further expand their Senate majority, although they are unlikely to reach the 60 votes needed to advance most legislation.
