The 2026 Midterms

California billionaire tax faces opposition in early Prop. 40 results

With nearly 50% of votes counted, California’s controversial Proposition 40 has over 3 million votes in opposition compared to 2.3 million in support. The proposition imposes a one-time 5% tax on individuals with net worths over $1 billion. Billionaire opponents and interest groups poured over $300 million into fighting the proposition.

However, even if Prop 40 passes, if Prop 41 or 42 passes, they could invalidate the billionaire tax. Prop 41, which is down by around 200,000 votes, would impose a spending cap and 42, which is up by 600,000 votes, would prohibit taxes on personal savings and retirement holdings.

By Maybeline Tucker

Republicans hold the lead in Minnesota Senate race

Michelle Tafoya, the Republican candidate for Minnesota’s Senate seat, is currently in the lead against Democratic opponent Peggy Flanagan, according to the AP. Tafoya leads Flanagan by approximately 70,000 votes with 42% of the votes counted.

By Brenda Sanchez

Democrat Gina Hinojosa wins race for Texas governor

The AP has called the Texas governor race for Democrat Gina Hinojosa, the first Democrat elected governor in the state since 1994. With nearly 70% of the votes counted, she leads Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by 16 points after he won reelection by over 10 points in 2022.

By Maybeline Tucker

Iowa flips blue

AP reports Democrat Josh Turek has won the Iowa Senate seat over Republican Ashley Hinson. Turek holds 50.9% of the vote compared to Hinson’s 46%. With this seat, Democrats take control of the Senate. The last time a Democrat was elected to the Senate in Iowa was 2008.

By Jackson Sneeringer

Democratic candidate becomes Maine governor

Democratic candidate Hannah M. Pingree has defeated her Republican opponent Bobby Charles in the gubernatorial race, the AP has announced. Pingree led the race by more than 35,000 votes.

By Brenda Sanchez

Xavier Becerra wins race for governor of California

Democrat Xavier Becerra has been elected the next governor of California, according to AP News. He defeats Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton. Becerra, the former health and human services secretary in the Biden administration, will succeed Democrat Gavin Newsom.

Becerra currently leads with 59.2% of the vote with 22% of votes counted.

By Scott Hills

Kansas Senate Race flips the seat to the Democratic Party as Adam Hamilton wins

With 89% of the votes in, the AP projects that first-time candidate Adam Hamilton has won the Kansas Senate race, defeating incumbent Republican candidate Roger Marshall by around 7%.

The result gives the Democratic Party its first Senate seat in Kansas in 93 years, since 1932. Since its establishment as a state in 1861, Kansas has only had three Democratic candidates in the seat, with Hamilton being the state’s fourth, flipping the seat to the Democratic Party.

By Lara Olcer

Democrats win Iowa gubernatorial race

AP reports Democrat Rob Sand elected Iowa governor over Republican Zach Lan with 57.3% of the vote to Lan’s 42.7%. Sand is the first Democrat elected for Iowa governor in 20 years.

By Jackson Sneeringer

The Maine Senate race remains close as the leading candidates flip

According to the AP, Republican incumbent Susan Collins has now taken the lead in the Maine Senate race. Democratic candidate Troy Jackson is behind by roughly 3,000 votes. With 40% of votes counted, this race remains very close.

By Brenda Sanchez

Democrat Sherrod Brown wins Ohio Senate race

The AP called Ohio’s Senate race for Democrat Sherrod Brown with a 2 point lead and 87% of the votes counted.

Brown unseats Republican Sen. Jon Husted, and was the fourth Senate flip Democrats needed to flip the majority in the Senate. If Democrats hold the Minnesota and Michigan seats up for election, or pick up additional seats, they will take control of the Senate.

By Jackson Sneeringer

Republican Texas governor concedes

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has conceded to Democrat Gina Hinojosa in the Texas governor race.

The AP has not called the election yet but with nearly 70% of the votes counted, Hinojosa leads Abbott by 16 points. Hinojosa would be the first Republican governor in Texas since 1995.

By Maybeline Tucker

Texas Senate seat flipped, Talarico wins

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has flipped the Texas Senate seat, becoming the first Democratic senator elected in nearly 40 years in the Lone Star State. With 67% of the votes counted, Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton by 20 points and over 1.5 million votes.

Republicans currently control the Senate 53 to 47, and this race is key to Democrats battling to flip power in Washington. Republican Sen. John Cornyn congratulated the Democrat on his win before the AP called the race after electing not to endorse Paxton.

By Maybeline Tucker

Independent Dan Osborn shows promise for Nebraska Senate

The AP is reporting that, with 41% of votes counted, Independent Dan Osborn is in the lead in the race for the Nebraska Senate. If he wins, he would defeat incumbent Pete Ricketts. Omaha, the most populated city in Nebraska, is showing favor for Osborn with 30,000 votes over Ricketts.

By Jillian Darnelll

Busboys and Poets watch party begins to empty, spectators cheer for Talarico

The restaurant began to empty, but when James Talarico was called winner of the Texas Senate race by CNN, the remaining spectators cheered all the louder, holding on to one another.

Cheers can be heard from outside the restaurant as each new race gets called, elevating especially for the Iowa gubernatorial race in favor of the Democratic candidate.

By Mia Bartscher (Washington D.C.)

Polls are closed

Polling centers across California closed at 8 p.m., but any voters in line before closing time can still cast their votes.

By Sean Campbell

Democrat Deb Haaland wins race to be next governor of New Mexico

Democrat Deb Haaland defeated Republican Greg Hull to be governor of New Mexico, according to AP News. Haaland will be the first female Native American governor of any U.S. state.

By Scott Hills

USC professor ‘stunned’ by results in Kentucky’s 6th District

Earlier Tuesday, Sam Youngman, a USC Annenberg professor and former political reporter and columnist for the Lexington Herald Leader, said that if Kentucky’s 6th district went blue, it would be a good night for Democrats.

The AP has now called the race, with Democrat Zach Dembo beating Republican Ralph Alvarado by 9.4 percentage points with 99% of the vote counted.

“I’m stunned,” Youngman said when asked about Dembo’s projected win. “I didn’t think that Democrats would have ever taken this seat back, and it really speaks to Donald Trump’s unpopularity.”

By Caitlin Roehmholdt

Democrat wins Ohio governorship after fiery campaign

The Associated Press called the race for Ohio’s governor, with Democrat Amy Acton holding a 4 point lead over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and 85% of votes counted. The seat is currently held by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and hasn’t been held by a Democrat since 2012.

The call ends a campaign that turned fiery just ahead of polls closing after Ramaswamy, a 2024 presidential hopeful, aired a controversial ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother.

By Maybeline Tucker

Kansas Democratic candidate keeps lead while margin decreases to 9%.

The AP is reporting that Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton is leading the Kansas Senate race over Republican candidate Roger Marshall. With 83% of the votes in, the Democratic Party is leading with a little over half of the votes; the Republican Party currently has 44.1% of the votes. Although the Democrats are still in the lead, their advantage has decreased by around 37,000 votes since the last report.

By Lara Olcer

Busboys and Poets spectators react to South Carolina

With the South Carolina Senate officially being called in favor of Democrat Andrews with 50.6% of the vote, the patient crowd at Busboys and Poets burst into cheers and applause. The atmosphere began to buzz again after a short period of calm and quiet.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.)

Mississippi Republican incumbent on track to defeat opponent

The AP projects incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith will defeat Democratic opponent Scott Colom. Smith is ahead by approximately 15,000 votes. If elected, Smith will serve a second full term. 75% of votes have been counted.

By Brenda Sanchez

South Carolina Senate flips to blue

The AP reports that Democrat Annie Andrews has won the Senate seat for South Carolina. Andrews won by 3.4%. It’s been almost 30 years since Democrats have won the seat. The result gives the Democratic Party an additional seat in the U.S. Senate, retaining 46 seats ahead of 37 Republican seats.

By Jillian Darnell

Democratic socialist Janeese Lewis George wins mayor’s race in the nation’s capital

The Associated Press projects Janeese Lewis George will win the Washington D.C. mayoral race, defeating independent Rhonda Hamilton.

George, a democratic socialist, will be the city’s first new mayor in 12 years. She currently has 84% of the vote with more than 74% of ballots counted.

Her win is part of a wave of self-identified democratic socialists winning office across the country.

By Yuvan Ahuja

Democrat Brown narrowly leads in Ohio Senate race

The Ohio senate race is still neck and neck but Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Sen. Jon Husted by 1 percentage point with almost 75% of the votes counted.

In the governor’s race, Democrat Amy Acton holds a nearly 4 point lead over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

By Maybeline Tucker

Busboys and Poets spectators cheer as Democrats projected to take control of the House

Busboys and Poets had the loudest cheers yet as MS Now reported that Democrats are projected to take control of the House.

Spectators rose from their chairs in celebration, and the applause was louder than the announcers on the newsfeed.

This continued for several minutes after the initial announcement, as more cheers broke out every time the screen reshared the win for democrats. Restaurant staff are invested as well, with some even banging cups in their excitement.

By Mia Bartscher (Washington D.C.), Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.), Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.)

Democrat Mark R. Warner addresses supporters in Alexandria, Virginia, and praises the “genius of America”

The Associated Press declared Mark R. Warner the winner of Virginia’s U.S. Senate race soon after polls closed at 7 p.m. EST. Warner addressed his supporters in Alexandria, Virginia, just before 8:30 p.m. EST, With more than 75% of the vote now in, he is headed to a fourth term as senator on a platform that included affordable living and universal health care.

He closed his speech by saying, “We’ve got to make sure a fair shot is available to every Virginian and every American, no matter where they live, who they love, who they worship, what their race is, because that is the genius of America.”

Earlier in his speech, Warner said this will be his last campaign for the Senate, following a career in politics of more than 30 years.

By Yuvan Ahuja

Georgia elects first Black female governor in US history

The Associated Press has called Georgia’s governor race for Keisha Lance Bottoms, which would make her the first Black female governor in the United States.

With 80% of the votes counted, Bottoms leads Republican Rick Jackson by 9 points and over 300,000 votes. Bottoms was endorsed by former minority leader of the Georgia House Stacey Abrams, who notably lost the gubernatorial race 2018 by 1.4 points and by 7.5 in 2022 as she vied to become the first Black female governor herself.

By Maybeline Tucker

Sand holds steady lead in Iowa

The AP is reporting that Democrat Rob Sand is leading Republican Zach Lahn in the Iowa governor’s race. Sand is leading by 28 points with 26% of the votes counted. The incumbent is Kim Reynolds, a Republican who did not run for reelection.

By Max Reinardy

Democrats take early lead in Iowa

The AP is reporting that Democrat Josh Turek is leading Republican Ashley Hinson by nearly 20 points with 27% of the votes counted. The seat is Republican-held, with incumbent Joni Ernst stepping down at the end of her current term.

By Max Reinardy

Democrats take the lead in Maine Senate race

With only 12% of votes counted, The AP shows Democratic candidate Troy D. Jackson is currently leading the race against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins by less than 1,000 votes. Collins has held a seat in the Maine Senate since 1997, and made history in 2020 by becoming the first Republican woman to win a fifth term.

By Brenda Sanchez

Ayotte and Warmington neck and neck for New Hampshire’s Governor

Incumbent Kelly Ayotte leads the tight race to be re-elected New Hampshire’s governor, narrowly ahead of her Democratic opponent, Cinde Warmington, by around 3,377 votes.

Currently, 43% of the votes have been counted in this race, according to the Associated Press. Warmington has earned approximately 144,809 votes, while Ayotte’s received 148,186 votes.

By Mike Spathanas

Busboys and Poets spectator celebrate Keisha Bottoms’ win

The atmosphere in Busboys and Poets was loud and celebratory as Keisha Bottoms won the Georgia gubernatorial race. She will be the first Black woman to serve as governor in U.S. history.

Alyssa Jennings and her mom Danielle were excited to see Bottoms win.

“Stacey [Abrams] did this twice, she laid the blueprint, and now Keisha pushed it through,” Danielle said. “As black women we have worked so hard, we are in this situation because nobody wanted a black woman as president, and now black women are here to dig us out of this mess.”

By Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.)

Kansas Democrat keeps lead despite slight decrease

The Associated Press is reporting that Democratic Candidate Adam Hamilton is leading the Kansas Senate Race over incumbent Roger Marshall, who is the Republican Candidate. With 53% of the votes counted, marked at around 650,000 votes, these numbers continue to place the Democratic Party in the lead with 57.8% with a difference of 126,458 votes. This indicates a slight decrease in percentage since the last counting at 63%, going down 3.5%.

By Lara Olcer

Democrats maintain lead in tight race

With 62% of votes in, AP reports Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican incumbent Jon Husted by 2.6 percentage points in Ohio’s Senate race. Brown received 1,469,633 votes so far to Husted’s 1,393,803.

By Jackson Sneerinnger

Republican wins gubernatorial race

The Associated Press called Florida’s governor race for Republican Byron Donalds.

Donalds, a U.S. Representative, led Democrat David Jolly by 1.5% with 98% of the votes counted. Donalds will take over for incumbent Republican Ron DeSantis, who is not eligible for reelection due to term limits.

By Max Reinardy

Mississippi in close race

The Associated Press shows a close race between Democratic candidate Scott Colom and Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith. Currently, Smith is in the lead by roughly 6,000 votes. If Smith retains her seat in the Senate, she would be looking at her second term in Mississippi. Smith was first appointed to fill a vacancy and in 2018 won an election against Mike Espy. 12% of votes are currently counted.

By Brenda Sanchez

Independent leads in Nebraska

The Associated Press reports that Dan Osborn, an Independent, is leading the Senate race in Nebraska, defeating incumbent Pete Ricketts, who took office in 2023. Of the 23% of votes counted, Osborn is ahead, approaching 43,000 votes over Ricketts. Republicans have previously retained control of the Senate seat; it’s been 18 years since Democrats won in Nebraska. If Osborn wins, it will be the first time in 88 years that an Independent has taken a seat.

By Jillian Darnell

Talarico holds lead in Texas

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico holds his lead over Republican Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton for Texas’ Senate seat by 18.2% with 41% of votes counted. So far, Talarico received 2,513,352 to Paxton’s 1,730,022 as more votes from rural counties come in, according to AP.

By Jackson Sneeringer

Swedish spectators at Busboys and Poets speak on election impacts

A father-son pair from Sweden at Busboys and Poets said they are hoping to experience the liveliness of election night.

Originally from Stockholm, and on an exchange program with Lund University Sweden and the University of Maryland, Samuel Abramowicz Akerbolm and his dad, David Abramowicz Akerbolm said the movement so far on election night could affect the authority and abilities of President Trump and his administration.

“In Sweden we have a very negative view of Donald Trump,” David Abramowicz Akerbolm said. “So we have been very happy with the outcomes.”

Both shared an international perspective of Sweden’s disapproval of President’s Trump’s approach to NATO, Ukraine and Greenland, noting the importance of the issues to European politics.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.), Hazel Gomez (Washington D.C.)

Democrat Roy Cooper flips North Carolina senate seat

The Associated Press has called the North Carolina Senate race, with Democratic nominee Roy Cooper leading his opponent, Michael Whatley, by 24.3 percentage points with 74% of the vote counted.

Cooper will replace Republican incumbent Senator Thom Tillis, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

By Mike Spathanas

Kansas Democrat holds lead

The Associated Press is reporting that Democratic Candidate Adam Hamilton is leading the Kansas Senate Race, over Republican Roger Marshall, who is running for a second term. With 36% of the votes counted, the result places the Democratic Party in the lead with 63%. Hamilton is leading in Johnson County and Sedgwick County, the two most populated counties in the state of Kansas, with 67.5% and 57.3% of the votes respectively.

By Lara Olcer

Spectators weight in at Fairfax County Democrats watch party

“You’re deciding what’s good, what’s bad…Voting is a privilege, and that’s what democracy is about. I think encouraging our young voters means that you are our future. So understanding it, voting, and giving your voice is important,” said Robin, an attendee at the Fairfax County Democrats Election Watch Party.

By Ashley Yu

AP calls Florida’s special election for Republican Moody

The Associated Press called Florida’s special U.S. Senate race for Republican Ashley Moody, the first Senate seat AP called for a Republican on Tuesday as the parties vie for control of Congress.

Moody, who was appointed to the seat after Marco Rubio was named secretary of state in 2025, led Democrat Angie Nixon by 2.7 points with 97% of the votes counted.

Moody will serve the remainder of Rubio’s term before the seat will be on the ballot again in 2028.

The governor race is much closer. AP reported that Republican Byron Donalds leads Democrat David Jolly by about 1 point with 96% of the votes counted. Both Donalds and Jolly are former U.S. representatives.

By Maxwell Reinardy

Andrews holds lead in South Carolina

The Associated Press is reporting that Annie Andrews is leading the South Carolina Senate race against Darline Graham. From the 53% of votes counted, Andrews is ahead by nearly 70,000 votes. Greenville County, containing the 6th-most populous city in the state, previously voted republican in the 2024 election but appears to be leaning more blue this election, with Andrews leading by 22.8 points.

By Jillian Darnell

Spectators at Busboys and Poets react to Moody’s win

AP calls the Florida senatorial race in favor of Moody, and the Busboys and Poets watch party in D.C. is flooded with boos. It is the first negative reaction of the night, and the first Senate race called for Republicans.

By Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.)

New Hampshire called for Chris Pappas

Rep. Chris Pappas has been elected U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, per AP, and will replace incumbent Jeanne Shaheen. Pappas has successfully defeated John E. Sununu with more than 36,000 votes. Sununu is the son of former New Hampshire Governor John H. Sununu and older brother of Chris Sununu, also former Governor of the state.

Pappas would be the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate.

By Mike Spathanas

El-Sayed holds early lead in Michigan

All but four Michigan counties have closed their polls as of 5:30 p.m. The Associated Press reports Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holds an early 15.3% lead on Republican Mike Rogers. With 9% of the votes counted, El-Sayed received 258,289 votes to Rodgers’ 188,861. The remaining four counties, Dickinson County, Gogebic County, Iron County and Menominee County, tend to vote republican.

By Jackson Sneeringer

Annenberg Media is at the Fairfax Democrats’ watch party

Viewers applauded as New Hampshire’s Democratic candidate Chris Pappas is announced as the projected winner with 60.6% of the vote, about a 23% lead over his opponent, John E. Sununu.

North Carolina’s Roy Cooper was announced as the expected winner with a 66.8% lead. Being a significant swing state, nearly the entire room erupted with applause and cheers for this monumental prediction.

By Arushi Tripathi

Georgia called for Democrat Ossoff

Less than an hour after the polls closed, the Associated Press called the Georgia senate race for incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. He is now one of nine Democrats that the AP has officially called in senate races nationwide, with the party needing to win eight more seats to flip the house’s majority.

Ossoff leads Republican Mike Collins by 26 points with 59% of the votes were counted, according to AP.

By Maybeline Tucker

Spectators react as results come in

As the Senate race closes Georgia in favor of Jon Ossoff, we spoke to spectators about how they feel at this point in election night.

Ossoff’s win hit particularly close to home for Ashley July, a pediatric nurse who grew up just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

“[His win] makes me optimistic for the future,” July says.

On previously contemplating whether she would return to the South, she said she did not want to due to its current political state. After the election outcomes, however, her sentiment about returning might change, and she could “consider going back.”

Clemence Guimier, a multimedia producer for France Televisions, is reporting on the watch party. She is focused on capturing reactions and getting interviews, saying that “political watch parties in France are a complete novelty,” so the atmosphere is incredible to witness.

Guimier, stationed in D.C. since 2023, says that there is a French audience for U.S. politics due to America’s large influence on the world stage and mentioned the ripple effect that Trump’s political decisions have on global politics.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.), Hazel Gomez (Washington D.C.), Mia Bartscher (Washington D.C.), Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.)

Democrat Talarico leads in Texas with mostly Dallas, Austin votes in

With mostly major cities counted, Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has jumped out to an early lead over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the battleground state Texas. According to the Associated Press, 20% of the votes counted, largely from the urban areas around Dallas and Austin that Talarico was expected to win, he leads Paxton by 22 points.

Trump won Texas by nearly 14 points in 2024 but Cook Political Report has called the race a toss up, one of the key seats Democrats will hope to flip in their bid to gain control of the Senate.

In the primary, Paxton beat out Sen. John Cornyn, who excluded Paxton from fundraising efforts while campaigning for Republicans in September with former President George W. Bush. If elected, Talarico would be the first Democrat senator in the state since 1988.

By Maybeline Tucker

Democrats take the lead in New Hampshire

Polls are now closed in all areas of New Hampshire. Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas holds an early lead over Republican John E. Sununu in New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race, with a margin of more than 30,000 votes. According to the Associated Press, 18% of the vote has been counted as of this update.

If elected, Pappas will replace incumbent Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring her Senate seat after 17 years.

In the gubernatorial race, Cinde Warmington also has a lead over her Republican counterpart, incumbent Governor Kelly Ayotte, of about 7,000 votes. 19% of the vote has been counted as of writing.

By Mike Spathanas

Kansas Democrat has early lead

The Associated Press is reporting that Adam Hamilton is leading the Kansas Senate Race over incumbent Roger Marshall. With 8% of the votes counted, the result places the Democratic Party with 57% in the lead. If Adam Hamilton, a first-time candidate wins the seat, it would break the 93-year streak that a Republican candidate has won a Senate Seat since 1932. Since its establishment as a state in 1861, Kansas has only had three Democrats represented in the Senate, while the current Governor, Laura Kelly, is Democratic.

By Lara Olcer

Annenberg Media is at the Busboys and Poets watch party

Every table in Busboys and Poets is now full, with crowds starting to fill up open spaces. The general sentiment is more celebratory than anticipatory now, with many people pulling out their phones to record each eruption of cheers for each Democrat win in the Senate.

Cheers rang out at the watch as senate races in Illinois, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Delaware are called for democrats.

Jen and Chris Deese are here in D.C. from Durham, North Carolina on business. The Deeses are watching results come in at Busboys and Poets, where Chris said, “The atmosphere is good, it feels blue!”

The pair are watching for the Whatley and Cooper race, and with their proximity to South Carolina, the Graham race is also front of mind.

Originally the N.C. polls were scheduled to close at 7:30 E.S.T, but due to technical difficulties polls are now due to close at 8:15 EST. According to Jen, North Carolina frequently has issues on election day. The two said they will continue to watch here in D.C. as results flood in.

By Mia Bartscher (Washington D.C.), Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.), Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.)

Polls close in the nation’s capital

Polls have now closed in Washington, D.C. According to AP News, Democratic Socialist Janeese Lewis George is the projected favorite against Green Party nominee Robert Gross and independent Rhonda Hamilton, in a race that will elect D.C.’s first new mayor in 12 years.

There are notable at-large Council seats, including former at-large councilmember Elissa Silverman, who is seeking a full term after winning the special election in June.

By Yuvan Ahuja (Washington D.C.)

Polls continue to close in pivotal states

Polls have now closed in 17 states, including the pivotal battleground of Maine, parts of Michigan, Texas and Kansas.

By Scott Hills

Democrats lead in early Ohio vote counting

Polls closed at 7:30 p.m. Eastern in Ohio and with 18% of the votes counted, the Associated Press reported that Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Sen. Jon Husted by 32 points. Cook Political Report called the senate race lean Republican, but registered Democrats were 27% of the early voters compared to 19% that were registered Republicans, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

Meanwhile, Democrat Amy Acton leads Republican Vivek Ramaswamy by 39 points, in a race that turned heated after Ramaswamy released ads with Acton’s estranged mother two weeks ago. Cook Political Report called the governor race lean Democrat.

By Maybeline Tucker

Democrat Andrews has early lead in South Carolina

The Associated Press projects Annie Andrews is leading the South Carolina Senate Race, defeating Darline Graham. Graham took over the Senate seat for her late brother Sen. Lindsey Graham who passed in July. With 9% of the votes counted, Andrews is ahead by nearly 6,000 votes. If Andrews wins the seat, it will be the first time a Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat since 1998.

By Jillian Darnell

Annenberg Media is at the Fairfax Democrats’ watch party

Annenberg Media has arrived at the Fairfax Democrats’ Election Night Watch Party in Oakton, Virginia. There are approximately 60 people, as they are gearing up to hear about the results of the midterm elections. The atmosphere is lively as people gather at tables to discuss the election.

By Ashley Yu

Annenberg Media is at the Busboys and Poets watch party

Natalie, a spectator who works in government relations and has been a DC resident for the past four years requested to be identified only by her first name.

“We need community now more than ever,” Natalie said.

She said she is hopeful for the recent updates in the Florida Senatorial race, but is “trying not to keep her hopes up too high” as the results keep coming back in favor of Nixon.

Similarly to Saydam, she feels that it is better to be around people as the election results come in, so as to lift spirits in the event that the outcomes are not what she hopes for.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.), Hazel Gomez (Washington D.C.)

Democrat Ossoff off to early lead in Georgia

Georgia’s polls have now closed and Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is up 37 points over Republican opponent Mike Collins. With 22% of the votes counted, the Associated Press reported 676,147 votes for Ossoff and 304,892.

The Cook Political Report classified the race as “likely Democrat” after Trump won the state by a narrow margin in 2024.

By Maybeline Tucker

Polls close in North Carolina and Ohio

Polls have now closed in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia. The Senate contests in North Carolina and Ohio are crucial for both Republicans and Democrats if they hope to win control of the upper chamber.

In Ohio, incumbent Republican Sen. John Husted is running against Democrat former Sen. Sherrod Brown. In North Carolina former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is running against former chair of the Republican National Committee Michael Whatley.

By Benjamin Gamson

Annenberg Media is at the Busboys and Poets watch party

Following poll closures in Virginia and other major states, several spectators at the Busboys and Poets Watch Party are hopeful for an “all blue” turnout and a “blue wave.”

One of those spectators, Han Saydam, said he is excited to have come to Busboys and Poets for the high energy “vibe” of the watch party.

He said he is hoping to celebrate the outcomes of the Michigan, South Carolina and Texas races, and said being at Busboys and Poets is a way to get out and celebrate what will hopefully be flips in both the House and Senate.

“If it’s bad news, it’s better to [experience] it together,” Saydam said.

Cheers have erupted from a large group of watchers as a new update has just come in: Nixon has taken a lead over Moody for the Florida Senate, while Jolly has taken a lead over Donalds for the Florida Gubernatorial race.

There are balloons, games and raffles create an inviting environment. While the inside is lively with cheers and conversation, the streets outside are almost empty, and the atmosphere of excitement is contained within the building.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.), Mia Bartscher (Washington D.C.), Evelyn Luippold (Washington D.C.)

Mark R. Warner, a Democrat, wins Virginia Senate race

Democrat Mark Warner wins Virginia Senate race, defeating Republican Bert Mizusawa to secure a fourth term, AP projects.

By Scott Hills

Kentucky’s 6th district is a tossup

“If Kentucky’s 6th goes blue tonight or it’s even close you’re gonna see a very good night everywhere for Democrats,” Sam Youngman said, a USC Annenberg professor and former political reporter and columnist for the Lexington Herald Leader.

He said Democrats have nominated a strong candidate in Navy veteran Zach Dembo this cycle and said Republican Ralph Alvarado has some baggage referencing his failed campaign for lieutenant governor on former Gov. Matt Bevin’s 2019 ticket.

“It’s a pretty good mirror honestly of what we’ve seen on the national level with sort of the disapproval of Trump,” Youngman said.

The district is a tossup according to the Cook Political Report.

By Benjamin Gamson

Polls close in key Senate races

Polls have closed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia and Vermont. All polls have now closed in Kentucky and Indiana. There are pivotal Senate races in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, and key congressional races in Virginia.

By Scott Hills

George Washington University students weigh in on the election

Annenberg Media reporters in Washington D.C. are asking students around Washington about the election.

“Every vote counts to me. I have had a lot at stake,” said Mailey, a political science and journalism student at George Washington University. Mailey identified themselves as a Democrat who votes in Oklahoma.

“I think the biggest confusion for people is about whether they can register a vote here, or through the registration in their home state,” said James, a political science and history major at GWU who voted in New Jersey.

“It’s honestly, from my experience, very easy to vote here in D.C.. I was able to go to an in-person location. It took under an hour to vote today on Election Day,” said Marielle, a graduate student at GWU studying history. Marielle is a D.C. resident and voter.

As our reporters walked through GWU’s campus, signs of Election Day were visible throughout the university. A ballot drop box stood outside the main entrance, while posters and other messages encouraged students to participate in the election.

By Leah Tesfu (Washington D.C.), Luna Lee (Washington D.C.)

Annenberg Media is at the Busboys and Poets watch party

We are on the ground at the Busboys and Poets Election Day watch party in Washington D.C., with approximately 70 people in attendance watching as the first midterm election results have started to come in. As they await the first major poll closures at 4 p.m., the general atmosphere inside of Busboys and Poets is anticipatory.

By Ava Waggoner (Washington D.C.)

Thirty-five Senate seats up for grabs tonight

Control of the U.S Senate is up for grabs tonight. Democrats start the night with 34 seats and Republicans hold 31. There are elections for Senate in 35 states tonight.

By Benjamin Gamson

L.A. County registrar reports inital voter turnout numbers

According to CNS, approximately 1.9 million people have cast their ballots in L.A. County so far, with about 1.5 million voting by mail, and approximately 400,000 cast in-person. Registrar and County Clerk Dean Logan says that this represents 32% of registered voters, as opposed to the 2022 midterm overall turnout, which was 28% of registered voters. Logan says this time, it’s a “healthier turnout than we saw four years ago.

By Mike Spathanas

Polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky

The first polls have closed in the Eastern portions of Kentucky and Indiana. All eyes are on Kentucky’s 6th congressional district which is a tossup race that President Trump won by 15 points in 2024 and has not elected a Democrat since 2010. Incumbent Rep. Andy Barr is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.

By Benjamin Gamson

Annenberg Media will be bringing you live results and analysis as polls close throughout the country. Our coverage will focus on the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and key races in California from Los Angeles mayor to California governor and the statewide propositions shaping conversations nationwide. From reporters in Washington D.C. to the election night parties for L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman, Annenberg Media will have team coverage beginning at 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Web design by Keene Lei, Lauren Francis Hsueh, Preston Thoman, Win Thant Tin Han

By Benjamin Gamson