Democrats Try to Retake US Senate as Midterm Voting Begins; Georgia Called for Ossoff

Voters in all 50 states and Washington DC went to the polls on Nov. 3 in midterm elections in which Democrats are trying to take the Senate from Republicans, who hold a 53–47 majority. The Associated Press called Georgia's Senate race for Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, who appears to have easily won a second term in a state Donald Trump carried in 2024; many other races remained uncalled. Democrats need at least four more seats for control, while Republicans can lose up to three and keep it. Of 35 seats being contested, the Cook Political Report rates seven as toss-ups: Iowa, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. All but Michigan are Republican-held. Most Republicans already count North Carolina as lost. Control would decide confirmation of Trump's judicial nominees, possibly including the Supreme Court, and whether impeachment trials of Cabinet members or the president could be tabled. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Republicans want to be able to confirm a Trump pick if one of the two oldest justices retires.

The left-leaning Guardian US leads with Democratic momentum, tying it to voter dissatisfaction with Trump and presenting Ossoff's win as a sign of Republican fortunes shifting. It stresses what a majority would give Democrats: blocking bills, issuing subpoenas and rejecting judicial nominees. Right-leaning outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing, while left-leaning and alternative outlets had. The alternative outlets differ from the left in emphasis. The Hindu frames the race as an inflection point for Trump's presidency and supplies the Cook toss-up list. Semafor takes the Republican side of the stakes, quoting Barrasso on court confirmations and fast dismissal of impeachments.