Democrats retake the Senate with wins from Texas and Kansas to Maine

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats won a majority in the U.S. Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, flipping at least seven Republican-held seats and taking control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans had held 53 of the 100 seats before the vote.

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, and Texas state Rep. James Talarico beat state Attorney General Ken Paxton. In Maine, Troy Jackson unseated longtime Sen. Susan Collins; in Kansas, Adam Hamilton defeated Sen. Roger Marshall; and in South Carolina, Annie Andrews defeated Sen. Darline Graham. Democrats also flipped seats in Iowa and Ohio.

In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers to keep an open seat in Democratic hands.

Races in Alaska and Mississippi were still uncalled on Wednesday. With at least 54 seats, Democrats are on track for their largest Senate majority since the 2008 election. Control of the Senate gives the majority party power over the confirmation of the president’s nominees, including judges and Cabinet members.