US Midterms: Republicans Take Over Senate

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Republicans Take Control Of Senate

By Sky News US Team

The US Republicans have swept to power in both houses of Congress for the first time in eight years in midterm elections shaped by President Barack Obama's unpopularity.

Results continue to trickle in across the US, but the conservatives won seven seats from Democrats, one more than they needed to take control of the 100-seat Senate.

Tha takeover will limit Mr Obama's political influence and curb his legislative agenda in his last two years in office.

West Virginia, Arkansas, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, North Carolina and Iowa all fell to the conservatives.

The Democrats are still battling to hold on to Senate seats in Virginia and Alaska, while Louisiana's race will go to a run-off next month.

1/11

Gallery: Midterms: Election Day In America

The Empire State Building in New York City turns red to mark the Republican triumph in the Senate midterm election races

Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell will be the next leader of the US Senate as his party swept to power

]]>

The conservatives cruised to control of the Senate, boosted their House of Representatives majority and chalked up a slew of gubernatorial victories, breaking political opponents' hearts

]]>

Elections judge Constance Rolon, 96, hands out "I Voted!" stickers in Denver, Colorado

]]>

The Republicans also successfully defended Senate seats in Georgia, Kentucky and Kansas. Democrats could not win a single conservative seat.

Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell, who cruised to re-election, will become the new leader of the Senate.

He told cheering supporters as he captured a sixth term: "It's time to go in a new direction! It's time to turn this country around!"

Outgoing Senate majority leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, said: "The message from voters is clear: They want us to work together."

Republicans, who already controlled the House of Representatives, were also on track to expand their majority in that chamber, too.

Video: Is Obama A Liability?

Overall on Tuesday, 36 of the 100 Senate seats, all 435 House districts and 36 of 50 governors' seats were up for grabs.

In the gubernatorial races, the Republicans ousted a Democrat in Mr Obama's home state of Illinois and won the liberal strongholds of Maryland and Massachusetts.

They also fended off a string of stiff challenges from Democrats.

Georgia's Nathan Deal defeated former President Jimmy Carter's grandson, potential 2016 presidential hopeful Scott Walker won a tight race in Wisconsin and Rick Scott was triumphant in Florida.

The few consolations for Democrats included wins in New Hampshire's Senate race and Pennsylvania's gubernatorial contest.

Video: Why Are Midterm Polls So Expensive?

Mr Obama, who was shunned by many Democrats on the campaign trail because of his low approval rating, called Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to the White House on Friday to discuss the new political landscape.

Exit polls showed most of the Americans voting on Tuesday were unhappy or even angry with the Obama administration. There was also criticism of Republican congressional leaders.

The conservative takeover means Mr Obama will spend his final two years as President contending with a Congress fully controlled by opponents who have been determined to block his policies.

He is also likely to face pressure to overhaul his White House team.

But even with control of the Senate, the Republicans do not have the 60-vote super-majority needed to pass major legislation.

Video: Midterms: The Hillary Factor

A difficult election had been expected for Mr Obama's allies: governing parties tend to lose seats in midterm votes and many Democrats were defending seats in states that lean Republican.

Congressional races alone cost almost $4bn (£2.5bn), an unprecedented sum for a non-presidential year election.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Congor Mangap