US Midterm elections: Democrats deny Republicans sweeping victory

WITH most of the results of the United States midterm elections released yesterday, Republicans appeared to be far short of the sweeping “red wave” victory they had sought.

 They, however, seemed to have made most gains predicted by some pollsters and on the path of taking over the House. But, Democrats proved themselves to be more resilient than anticipated as control of the Senate hinged on races that remained too close to call.

Thirty-five Senate seats, all 435 House seats and three dozen governorship races were on the ballot.

 As at the time of going to the press, Democrats had gained 48 Senate seats to Republicans’ 49.  Democrats got 176 House seats and GOP secured 204 with both parties eyeing 218 for a majority in the lower chamber.

Two Senate seats, Arizona and Nevada, are unlikely to be known for days because both states conduct elections in part by mail ballots which take longer to count. It’s too early to call key races that could determine which party controls the chambers.

 Beyond Congress, dozens of governorships, secretaries of states, and attorneys general are also on the line.

Democrats tried to avoid the kind of heavy midterm defeat that often plagues sitting presidents of either party.

 However, the control of the Senate hinged on three races that remained too close to call yesterday.

Nation