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Key US Senate results: Democrats wrest North and South Carolina from the Republicans
Democrats won Senate races in several states that Republicans had been expected to hold, including North and South Carolina, Texas and Ohio. The surprise gains put Democrats on course for a wide Senate majority, after Republicans entered the midterms with a 53–47 advantage, and marked a setback for President Donald Trump.
In North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper defeated Trump-backed Michael Whatley, campaigning on the cost of food and energy. In South Carolina, paediatrician Annie Andrews narrowly beat Darline Graham, becoming the first Democrat to win a Senate seat there since 1998. Texas Democrat James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton, while former senator Sherrod Brown won a close Ohio race; the article also reports Democratic victories in Kansas and Iowa.
In short
- Democrats made major Senate gains in Republican-leaning states.
- Roy Cooper won North Carolina and Annie Andrews flipped South Carolina.
- James Talarico and Sherrod Brown also won Senate races.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Democrats could argue that these results show voters wanted a Senate more responsive to everyday costs and less aligned with Trump’s agenda. The gains in states Republicans had expected to hold may give Democrats a mandate to scrutinise the administration and pursue their priorities.
The case against
Republicans could argue that a change in Senate control does not necessarily amount to broad support for the Democratic programme, since close, state-specific races can turn on individual candidates and local concerns. They may also see a wide Democratic majority as weakening the president’s ability to advance policies voters supported when electing him.
Americas Elections Government Politics World