US chooses Congress: Republicans defend their majority amid an uncertain outcome

What the elections decide

Midterm elections were held in the United States on Tuesday, determining whether Donald Trump's Republican Party keeps control of Congress or whether the final two years of his term proceed with a Democratic majority, AFP reports. According to the agency, high cost of living, the war with Iran and the president's low approval ratings helped Democrats expand the electoral map — tight races emerged even in Republican strongholds. The outcome, however, remains uncertain due to polling errors, redistricting and record campaign spending.

The balance in the Senate and House of Representatives

Republicans control the Senate with a 53–47 majority. Democrats need a net gain of four seats, since in a 50–50 tie the casting vote of Vice President JD Vance would keep the upper chamber in Republican hands. In the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are up for election, there are currently 218 Republicans and one independent who caucuses with them, 214 Democrats and two vacant seats; to hold a majority in the new Congress, Democrats need at least 218 seats.

Key races

AFP highlights several decisive Senate campaigns. In North Carolina, former Democratic governor Roy Cooper is contesting the seat of retiring senator Thom Tillis against Republican Michael Whatley; Cooper's strong polling led both parties to shift some of their spending to other states. In Texas, Christian progressive James Talarico faces Trump-backed attorney general Ken Paxton, whose scandals have turned a longtime Republican stronghold into a competitive race — although Paxton retains a loyal conservative base and massive outside financial support. In Ohio, former senator Sherrod Brown is attempting a comeback against Jon Husted, who was appointed to Vance's seat after Vance was elected vice president; it is one of the most expensive races in the country.

Other states and indicators of scale

Among other Senate races, AFP names Maine, where Republican Susan Collins, who has repeatedly won in a state that votes Democratic in presidential elections, faces Troy Jackson; Alaska, where Mary Peltola makes Republican Daniel Sullivan vulnerable; Iowa, where rising agricultural and energy prices have become the central issue in the fight for the seat of retiring Joni Ernst; Kansas, which has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932, where Trump is personally campaigning for Roger Marshall; and Michigan, an important opportunity for Republicans to claw back ground. In the House of Representatives, districts in Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and Wisconsin may serve as indicators of the scale of the Democratic offensive, while for the Democrats themselves the danger lies in redrawn districts — Alabama's second district, where Shomari Figures is defending his seat, and Texas's 34th district, where Vicente Gonzalez faces Erik Flores.