United States: On a day when Republicans were predicted to take back control of Congress from President Joe Biden's Democrats, incumbent senators including Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, senior Republican John Thune and Marco Rubio won re-election.

Elections are to be held for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate. Republicans hope to gain the five seats needed to control the House, but control of the Senate may hinge on close contests in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Nevada.

In addition, thirty-two governorships are at stake. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defeated Democratic Representative Charlie Crist in the race to become the Republican nominee for president in 2024, according to Edison Research.

Also Read: Biden and Trump traded the final blows before the midterm elections

It is unlikely that the final result, especially one that governs the 50-50 Senate, will be known any time soon. Democrats currently control that chamber, through a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris.

Democratic Representative Jennifer Wexton defeated Republican Hung Kao in a tight race for the Virginia House.
According to data from the US Election Project, more than 46 million Americans voted, in person or by mail, before Election Day. State election officials have warned that counting of all those votes will take time.

A runoff election in Georgia could be held on December 6 to decide which party would control the Senate.
In an election where voters were willing to give control of at least one chamber of Congress to Republicans, exit polls revealed that high inflation and abortion rights were voters' top concerns.

Biden's legislative agenda is likely to end in a split government. Local officials in different parts of the country reported different issues, such as bomb threats in Louisiana and paper shortages in one county in Pennsylvania.

Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters and the National Party filed an emergency lawsuit in Maricopa County, Arizona, a crucial battleground state, to extend the voting period after some tabulation machines malfunctioned.

Also Read: Biden says US democracy at stake as Republicans eye midterms ‘red wave’

The issues fueled unsupported allegations that the failures were made on purpose by former President Trump and his supporters. "I hope it's not malicious," said Kari Lake, the Trump-backed candidate for governor. "When we win, Arizona voters will come to Jesus for election,"

Republicans running for office have reiterated Trump's untrue claims that widespread fraud by Biden was blamed for his defeat in the 2020 election.

Democrats are concerned that if Republican candidates are chosen to lead the state's election machinery in swing states such as Nevada, Arizona and Michigan, they could interfere with the 2024 presidential election if Trump embraces lies.

On a radio program targeted at black voters, Biden said, "They choose the legitimacy of the most recent election. They are not sure they will accept the result unless they win," the speaker said. .

Trump, who voted in Florida, has often hinted at running for the presidency for a third time. A "big announcement," he said on Monday, would be made on November 15.

Biden was scheduled to see the results from the White House, where aides were walking down the normally quiet hallways. A Biden adviser predicted a difficult evening and claimed that given high fuel prices and inflation, which was partially brought on by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Democrats had done the best they could.

Democrats hoped that a Supreme Court decision in June overturning the country's abortion rights would help them defy history. The party in power almost always loses seats in midterm elections.

But throughout the election, persistently high inflation, at 8.2%, the highest rate in 40 years, has hurt his prospects.
Only 39% of Americans surveyed by Reuters/Ipsos this week approve of the work Biden has done.

As Biden's popularity waned, some Democratic candidates deliberately distanced themselves from the White House. Only 41% of respondents to a separate recent Reuters/Ipsos poll said they have a favorable opinion of Trump, which is equally low.

A Republican-controlled Senate will have the final say on Biden's judicial nomination, including any vacancies on the Supreme Court, while a Republican-controlled House will have legislation addressing Democratic priorities in Congress such as abortion rights and climate change. Will have the power to veto.

Republicans could also launch an investigation into Biden's family and administration and a showdown over the country's debt limit, which could swamp financial markets.

Also Read: Donald Trump is considering running for president again after the midterm elections

If Republicans take back control of Congress, they will have the right to veto aid to Ukraine, but analysts predict they will instead slow or reduce the flow of economic and defense aid.