Democratic candidate James Talarico, who was elected senator from Texas on Tuesday (local time), delivers his victory speech in Austin. [Reuters]
Democratic candidate James Talarico, who was elected senator from Texas on Tuesday (local time), delivers his victory speech in Austin. [Reuters]

Democrats have swept six of the seven competitive Senate seats decided so far in the US midterm elections, delivering what many are calling a "blue tsunami."

In Texas, with 69.3 percent of votes counted as of midnight Eastern time Tuesday, Democratic candidate James Talarico led with 58.8 percent against Republican Ken Paxton's 39.6 percent.

Texas has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988, making it a deep-red state. Should Talarico's victory hold, it would deal a significant political blow to President Donald Trump, as Paxton was Trump's handpicked choice to replace incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.

In Kansas, Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton led with 51.5 percent against Republican incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall's 45.5 percent, with 92.1 percent of votes counted. Kansas had not sent a Democratic senator to Washington since 1932. Victories by both Talarico and Hamilton would go down as historic upsets in American political history.

In Ohio, with 88.6 percent of ballots counted, Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown led Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted 48.7 percent to 46.4 percent. Ohio is the state where Vice President JD Vance, widely seen as a leading Republican presidential contender, previously served as senator, making a Republican loss there another significant blow to the Trump administration.

In Iowa, with 92.7 percent of votes tallied, Democratic candidate Josh Turek led Republican Ashley Hinson 50.7 percent to 46.2 percent.

Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed delivers a speech after securing victory in the Michigan Senate race on Tuesday (local time). [EPA]
Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed delivers a speech after securing victory in the Michigan Senate race on Tuesday (local time). [EPA]

In Maine, with 67.1 percent of votes counted, Democratic candidate Troy Jackson led with 52.7 percent. Five-term Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, who received 47.2 percent, acknowledged defeat.

The Associated Press called Michigan for Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed over Republican Mike Rogers. With roughly 85 percent of votes counted, El-Sayed led comfortably with 51.9 percent against Rogers' 46.1 percent. Michigan had drawn controversy after Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the primary to El-Sayed, announced her support for Republican rival Rogers just two days before the election, on Sunday.

Among the competitive races, only Alaska remains too close to call. With 54 percent of votes counted, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola held 48.3 percent to Republican Dan Sullivan's 48.1 percent.

With wins in North Carolina (Roy Cooper) and South Carolina (Annie Andrews) — the latter considered competitive by some outlets — Democrats have flipped seven Republican-held seats, putting the party on track for a clear Senate majority of 53 seats.

Republicans face further uncertainty in Nebraska, where independent candidate Dan Osborn held a narrow lead over Republican incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts, 47.5 percent to 46.7 percent, with 54.8 percent of votes counted.

Democrats are also projected to hold Senate seats in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico and Oregon.

Republicans are projected to hold seats in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.


kate01@heraldcorp.com