US midterms live: Democrats notch second Senate pickup

U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, right, greets a supporter during a campaign stop in North Augusta, South Carolina, on Oct. 30. © Reuters

In the weeks leading up to election day, projections have overwhelmingly favored the opposition Democratic Party to take control of the House of Representatives from President Donald Trump's Republican Party, while the battle for the Senate is expected to be much closer.

Results, particularly for the Senate, could hinge on a small number of close races, including in Alaska, where polls don't close until after midnight Eastern time. Recounts or litigation over contested results could drag the process out even longer.

Readers will be able to follow Nikkei Asia's live coverage and analysis of the midterm elections at asia.nikkei.com.

10:40 p.m. Pediatrician Annie Andrews unseated Republican Darline Graham, giving Democrats another Senate pickup, this time in South Carolina.

Graham was appointed to the seat after her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, died in July. She then decided to run for the seat herself amid questions about her experience.

The result gives Democrats the second of the gains they need to take control of the Senate.

Control of the chamber would give Democrats a wide range of oversight powers, including the ability to subpoena testimony and conduct impeachment trials.

8:40 p.m. The Democrats flipped their first Senate seat. Democrat Roy Cooper won North Carolina's open seat in the chamber, defeating Trump-backed Republican Michael Whatley, the Associated Press projected at 8:23 p.m. The seat was open after Republican Sen. Thom Tillis decided not to seek reelection.

Cooper, a former governor and state attorney general, delivered Democrats their first Republican-held Senate seat of the night. They need to flip three more Republican seats to take control of the Senate.

8:15 p.m. Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff won reelection to the Senate, defeating Republican Mike Collins, a two-term congressman endorsed by Trump in the party primary. The Associated Press called the race at 7:55 p.m.

Ossoff, a sharp Trump critic who has been mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, was the only Democratic senator seeking reelection in a state Trump won in 2024. Holding the seat was considered crucial to Democrats' hopes of taking control of the Senate.