Democrats flipped a U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina on Tuesday, when former Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley. The party also won races in Georgia and New Hampshire as it works to recapture majorities in Congress.
In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff won reelection over Rep. Mike Collins. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in any state, defeating Republican Rick Jackson. In New Hampshire, Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former Sen. John Sununu to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Voters were angry about high prices, the war in Iran and government corruption, according to The AP Voter Poll. More than 59 million people had cast ballots before Election Day, according to an Associated Press analysis, surpassing early turnout in 2022.
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats and three House seats to win control. Republicans were bracing to lose the House and fighting to keep the Senate.
In Florida, Republican Sen. Ashley Moody won a special election to finish Marco Rubio’s term. Rep. Byron Donalds won the governor’s race. Democrats Jamie Ager in North Carolina and Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey flipped House seats.
