What are the races to watch in the US midterm elections and why do they matter?
US voters will decide whether Republicans will retain control of Congress or whether Democrats will rise up to stymie Trump’s agenda Donald Trump will still be US president on the morning of 4 November. But he could be facing a very different political landscape, depending on the results of the US midterm elections held the previous day. As the name implies, midterm elections fall nearly halfway through a…
Key points
- US midterm elections on 3 November will decide control of Congress and 39 governorships.
- All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for election.
- Democrats need a net gain of four House seats and four Senate seats for majorities.
US voters go to the polls on Tuesday 3 November in midterm elections that will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress or Democrats gain power to block Donald Trump's agenda. Trump will still be president on the morning of 4 November, but the results could leave him facing a very different political landscape.
All 435 House seats are contested, with Republicans defending a narrow majority and Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take control. In the Senate, 35 seats are up, and Democrats need four gains to secure a majority. Voters will also choose governors in 36 states and three territories, plus thousands of state legislative seats and local offices.
Key Senate battlegrounds
Several Senate contests are closely watched. In Michigan, progressive Abdul El-Sayed is seeking to hold an open Democratic seat after Gary Peters decided not to seek re-election. In Georgia, Democratic senator Jon Ossoff leads Republican challenger Mike Collins in polls. In Maine, Republican Susan Collins is defending her seat against Democrat Troy Jackson.
In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown is seeking to return to the Senate against Republican Jon Husted. Texas has become especially closely watched, with Democrat James Talarico taking on Republican attorney general Ken Paxton. Other contests in Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, North Carolina and New Hampshire could help determine control of the chamber.
pretend I’m on the ballot
— Donald Trump
What a Democratic win would mean
A Democratic victory in either chamber would significantly constrain Trump's ability to advance his domestic agenda. If Democrats take the House, Republicans would lose their ability to pass legislation there without Democratic support. A Democratic majority could launch investigations into the administration and demand documents and testimony.
The Senate confirms cabinet officials, ambassadors and federal judges, including supreme court nominees. A Democratic majority could block or delay many of Trump's appointments and force the White House to negotiate over legislation. Governors and state legislatures also influence abortion access, education, taxation and voting procedures.
