SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
The Democrats have delivered a comprehensive blow to Donald Trump ahead of his final two years in the White House, sweeping control of the Senate and the House.
Several key battleground races – particularly in the Senate – were at the heart of this emphatic Democratic Party win. Below, we track which seats were flipped, retained – and which remain in play.
Follow our full live coverage of the 2026 US midterms here.
SENATE
Georgia – Ossoff re-elected for Democrats
This race was cruisy for Jon Ossoff, who won re-election and has been linked with a run at the White House in 2028. He’s beat Republican Mike Collins.
South Carolina – Democrats win from Republicans
This race found the spotlight for two reasons – it was a toss-up, and the Republican candidate Darline Graham is the sister of the late senator Lindsey Graham. She has lost the seat to Annie Andrews – that’s a big upset in what’s typically a safe red state.
Ohio – Democrats win
Ohio Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown is a former senator who chaired the Senate banking committee from 2021 to 2024, when he was a vocal critic of crypto. Ad-tracking business AdImpact says the crypto sector spent $US68 million on defeating Brown. It didn’t work – he’s defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted in a high-stakes Senate race.
Texas – Talarico turns it blue
Democrat James Talarico has become the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the conservative state of Texas since 1988. He defeated Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Kansas – Democrats win for first time since 1932
A Democrat hasn’t been elected to the Senate in Kansas for 94 years – that’s something the popular pastor Adam Hamilton has just changed by taking down Republican Roger Marshall.
Michigan – polls closed
In the swing state of Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed – a doctor, unionist and Muslim – and Republican Mike Rogers are locked in a tight race for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Gary Peters.
Iowa – Democrats flip to take control of Senate
Maine – polls closed
One of the last remaining moderate strongholds for Republicans, incumbent Susan Collins has historically outperformed bad polling numbers to win time and time again. But with a poor net approval rating, she faces a stiff test this time around from Troy Jackson.
Alaska (polls close 5pm AEDT)
Surging heating fuel, electricity and grocery prices are disproportionately whacking residents of this remote, traditionally red state. Democrat Mary Peltola, who says Alaskans endure the highest healthcare costs in the country, is facing off against Republican senator Dan Sullivan, and an unaffiliated retired teacher who goes by the same name – Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
GOVERNOR
Ohio – Democrat Amy Acton wins
This race is perhaps most notable for the bitter tone between its candidates. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy was forced to pull an attack ad, where his camp tracked down Democratic rival Amy Acton’s estranged mother Donna, who claimed her daughter to be a serial liar who couldn’t be trusted.
Florida
Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly face off in Marco Rubio country – so it’ll be interesting to see where voters go here, possibly offering some clues about a state that will be crucial in 2028.
