Democrats Build House Lead as Two Senate Races Tighten

On November 5, election calls gave Democrats at least 254 House seats, their largest majority since the party’s 2008 gains. More than two dozen House races were still unresolved, leaving open the possibility of a larger total. Republicans also won some races called Thursday, including contests in Virginia and New York.

Among the Democratic victories, Shannon Taylor defeated Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, and Kristina Knickerbocker beat Ohio Rep. Mike Turner by roughly 4,900 votes. In Arizona, JoAnna Mendoza unseated Rep. Juan Ciscomani. Democrats also won three North Carolina districts held by Republicans. In Montana, union leader Sam Forstag won the seat being vacated by Republican Ryan Zinke.

North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx remained 99 votes behind Democrat Chuck Hubbard, close enough to qualify for a recount. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by more than 1,700 votes. About 3,600 mail ballots remained, and voters have until November 10 to correct affidavit-ballot problems. The state has no recount procedure, so a candidate seeking one would need to sue.

In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola led Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan by 637 votes, with about a quarter of ballots uncounted. If nobody receives a majority of first-choice votes, ranked-choice counting is scheduled for November 18. President Donald Trump called for votes cast for a second candidate named Sullivan to go to the incumbent; a judge had dismissed the administration’s effort to block certification if the senator narrowly lost.

Republican Sen. John Curtis disputed Trump’s explanation for the party’s losses, saying voters cared about corruption and the economy. He said the results concerned the president and his policies.

Democratic Gains Put Voters’ Verdict on Trump Policies in Focus

On November 5, Democrats had secured at least 254 House seats, their strongest position since 2008, with more than two dozen races still uncalled. The gains included defeats of Republican incumbents in Virginia, Ohio, Arizona and North Carolina, along with Sam Forstag’s win in Montana.

The results put Republican losses—and the policies of President Donald Trump—at the center of the post-election debate. Utah Sen. John Curtis rejected Trump’s claim that Republicans suffered because he was not on the ballot, saying voters were concerned about corruption and the economy. Curtis said the president and his policies were part of what voters were judging.

Democrats also remained in contention for Senate seats in states where Republicans have held power. In Mississippi, Scott Colom led Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by more than 1,700 votes, with mail ballots still outstanding. In Alaska, Mary Peltola was ahead of Sen. Dan Sullivan by 637 votes, and roughly a quarter of ballots remained uncounted.

Trump urged that votes for another candidate named Sullivan be credited to the Republican senator. A judge had dismissed the administration’s attempt to stop certification in the event of a close loss. Alaska’s ranked-choice count is set for November 18 if no candidate wins a first-choice majority. The remaining counts will determine how far Democrats’ gains extend.

Unfinished Counts Leave Republicans Fighting for Senate Seats

On November 5, Democrats had at least 254 House seats, while more than two dozen races remained uncalled. Republicans lost a string of districts, including seats held by incumbents in Virginia, Ohio, Arizona and North Carolina. The result leaves the party confronting a steep House setback even as final counts continue.

The Senate picture was not settled. In Mississippi, Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith trailed Scott Colom by more than 1,700 votes, with mail ballots still outstanding and no state recount process. Her campaign said it expected legally cast votes to show that she had won reelection. In Alaska, Sen. Dan Sullivan was 637 votes behind Mary Peltola, with about a quarter of ballots not yet counted.

Alaska’s race also involves a second candidate named Dan Sullivan, whose roughly 3,600 votes exceed the senator’s current margin. Trump argued those votes, along with votes for another candidate, should go to the incumbent. A judge dismissed the administration’s bid to prevent certification if Sullivan narrowly lost; the Justice Department appealed. If no candidate reaches a first-choice majority, ranked-choice counting is scheduled for November 18.

Republicans also face a debate over why the losses happened. Sen. John Curtis rejected Trump’s argument that the president’s absence from the ballot explained the result, pointing instead to voters’ concerns about corruption and the economy. With House races and Senate counts still open, the final balance remains unsettled.