US Election 2020: Republicans and Democrats battle for Congress

As well as the White House, Democrats and Republicans are in a crucial race for control of the US Congress.

This year, 35 out of 100 Senate seats are being contested. To gain control, a party needs an outright majority of 51.

But, with many votes still to be counted, the final result may not be known for some time.

The congressional election is running alongside the battle for the White House between Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

What was the state of play?

In the Senate, Republicans already have a 53-47 majority – meaning Democrats need an overall gain of four seats in order to win an outright majority.

Of the 35 seats up for grabs, 23 are currently Republican-held and 12 are Democrat.

Senators serve six-year terms, and every two years a third of the seats are up for re-election.

A Democrat-controlled House and Senate would have the power to obstruct the plans of a second-term President Trump, or push through the agenda of a first-term President Biden.

Meanwhile, the Democrats already have control of the House of Representatives and are looking to keep hold of it.

Who are the winners and losers?

In the Senate, Democratic former governor John Hickenlooper has taken a key Colorado seat from the Republican incumbent Cory Gardner.

Mr Hickenlooper, who stood for the Democratic nomination for president, was governor of Colorado for two terms from 2011 until last year. His rival was considered particularly vulnerable because of his allegiance to President Trump.

In Arizona, former astronaut Mark Kelly defeated Republican incumbent and former fighter pilot Martha McSally. He earlier said he was “confident that when the votes are counted, we’re going to be successful in this mission”.

However, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Trump ally Lindsey Graham have both been re-elected in their seats of Kentucky and South Carolina respectively.

In Alabama, Republican candidate Tommy Tuberville has taken the seat from Democratic incumbent Doug Jones.

Among the candidates for Senate this year were a pastor, a trucker and a football coach.

The results have already proved historic – with Democrats Ritchie Torres and Mondaire Jones, both in New York, becoming the first gay black members of Congress after they were elected to the House.

Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar have secured re-election to the House. Together with Rashida Tlaib, the group have been dubbed ‘The Squad’. Ms Tlaib is leading in her Michigan seat, but results are still being counted.

In Oklahoma, the state’s sole Democratic member of the House, Kendra Horn, has conceded to her Republican challenger Stephanie Bice.

One Republican candidate who has won a seat in Congress has previously promoted the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, was hailed as a “future Republican star” by President Trump earlier this year.

Voters are also choosing representatives in their local state senates – and in Delaware, Democratic candidate, Sarah McBride has made history as the country’s first ever trans state senator.

BBC