The Democratic Party has taken two US Senate seats from the Republicans in North Carolina and South Carolina, according to projections cited by n-tv.de. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews won the seat held for more than two decades by Republican Lindsey Graham, who died in July. In North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper, 69, defeated Republican Michael Whatley.
Both Republican candidates had the backing of President Donald Trump. The results were reported by CNN and NBC News, according to n-tv.de.
Why it matters
The two pickups come as control of the Senate is being decided. n-tv.de reports that the Democrats also appear to have won back a majority in the US House of Representatives. Holding the Senate would give the party power over the chamber's agenda and over the confirmation of presidential appointments.
The South Carolina result is notable because the state, home to about 5.6 million people, has been governed by Republicans for decades. Its voters have also traditionally backed Republican presidential candidates.
South Carolina: a seat held for over twenty years
Lindsey Graham represented South Carolina in the Senate for more than 20 years before his death in July. His sister Darline Graham ran to keep the seat in Republican hands but, according to the projections, lost to Andrews. n-tv.de describes Darline Graham as having no political experience.
The race drew attention because of Trump's endorsement of Darline Graham, which the outlet reports as part of the contest's background. The projection puts Andrews ahead, handing the Democrats a seat in a state where they have long struggled at the federal level.
North Carolina: Cooper replaces Tillis
In North Carolina, Cooper, a former governor, beat Whatley, who had Trump's support. Cooper will succeed Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who announced he would step down after falling out with Trump.
The outcome gives the Democrats a second gain in the Senate in the same election cycle, adding to the party's momentum as it seeks to shape the chamber's direction.
Coverage of the midterms also included a Democratic win in Kansas, where the party took a Senate seat for the first time since 1932, according to Tagesspiegel. Former President Barack Obama commented on the Democratic victories, T-Online and Spiegel reported.
What to watch next: whether the Democrats can hold their Senate gains as remaining races are called, and how the party uses its position in the House and Senate.
