Republicans have scored an early win in the race for Congress, securing a formerly Democratic-aligned seat in West Virginia, which was claimed by the state’s current governor, Jim Justice.
On Election Day, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 seats in the Senate are up for grabs, in addition to the presidency. Currently, Republicans hold a majority in the House. Justice’s projected victory has resulted in a 50-50 split in the Senate, though results in other races are still pending.
Control of either chamber of Congress will provide the winning party with more influence to push through its legislative agenda, regardless of who occupies the White House. A unified government, with one party controlling the House, Senate, and presidency, would have broad power to implement the president’s partisan priorities.
The Senate seat in West Virginia flipped to the Republicans after the retirement of long-time Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, who often clashed with his own party before later becoming an independent. The newly elected Justice, who switched from Democrat to Republican at a 2017 Trump rally, now claims the seat.
In Florida, Republicans are also projected to hold onto a Senate seat with incumbent Rick Scott, a former governor, defeating former Miami Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Scott, who was first elected six years ago, predicted Republicans would take control of the Senate and that he would be named Senate Majority Leader, declaring, “Florida is the center of the Republican Party.”
Meanwhile, Democrats retained a seat in Delaware, with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester securing a fourth term. In Maryland, Angela Alsobrooks won a Senate seat vacated by Ben Cardin, defeating popular Republican Governor Larry Hogan. Alsobrooks and Rochester will become the first Black female senators to represent their states.
Other key Senate races are ongoing in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin, with both parties battling for control. The balance of power in the House will also be decided, but final results may take several days to emerge. While many House races are in “safe districts” where one party is likely to win, a number of competitive swing district races could ultimately decide who controls Washington, D.C. Key contests are being closely watched in California, New York, Washington, Maine, and Alaska.
