Republicans win control of Senate; Dems fight to take back House: Recap
Editor's note: This page reflects the news from the campaign trail for the 2024 election as of the early morning of Wednesday, Nov. 6. For more campaign updates, visit usatoday.com/elections
Republicans have won control of the U.S. Senate and remain locked in a tight battle in 2024 for control of the House of Representatives. All 435 House seats are up for election this year, and a handful of close matchups could make or break which party winds up with the majority. Republicans are vying to keep control of the lower chamber, while Democrats hope to flip enough seats to take over.
There are about two dozen tossup House races, where either party could come away with the win regardless of incumbency, according to Cook Political Report. High-profile lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have already won-reelection.
Presidential election live coverage: Latest updates on Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris
Meanwhile in the Senate, Election Day started with 34 seats up for grabs. About half a dozen of those are likely to be decided by tight margins.
2024 election: Will lawmakers and congressional candidates commit to upholding the results? We asked
Democrats currently hold the majority with 51 seats in the upper chamber, which includes four independent senators who caucus with them. Republicans only needed to regain control of two seats to flip the Senate, and they were able to pull that off with Jim Justice's victory in West Virginia and Bernie Moreno's victory in Ohio.
Two targets where Democrats fell short on Tuesday in their bid to flip Republican-held Senate seats: Florida and Texas, where GOP Sens. Rick Scott and Ted Cruz won new terms.
Tuesday's election has also made history. Sarah McBride will be the first openly transgender member of Congress after winning election in Delaware’s sole congressional district. And for the first time, the Senate will have two Black women with Sen.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester representing Delaware and Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland.
Follow along with USA TODAY for full coverage.
Trump praises Senate wins, Speaker Mike Johnson
Former President Donald Trump praised Senate Republicans for retaking the upper chamber Tuesday night, and expressed his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who plans to run to retain his leadership role during an internal election next week.
Johnson is expected to face leadership challenges if Republicans lose the House, and it is unclear if challengers will emerge if Republicans keep the House. But Trump has been supportive of the speaker in public.
"I think he's done a terrific job," Trump said of Johnson early Wednesday morning.
- Riley Beggin
Top House Republicans congratulating Trump on likely victory
House GOP leaders are congratulating former President Donald Trump for winning the presidential election -- though leading analysts including the Associated Press have not yet called the race in his favor.
Fox News called the race in Trump's favor and The New York Times is projecting wins for Trump in key swing states.
"With President Trump back in the White House, there is no obstacle too great and no challenge too difficult," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement.
GOP Whip Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., congratulated Trump on a "hard-fought campaign and a well-deserved victory," and GOP conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said Americans "are witnessing the greatest comeback of all."
- Riley Beggin
Rep. Gabriel Vasquez beats Republican challenger Yvette Herrell
Rep. Gabriel Vasquez, D-N.M., won a second consecutive term representing New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.
Vasquez and Herrell’s race had been labeled a tossup by Cook Political Report heading into Election Day. It was also the second time the pair had faced off in the southwestern district.
Herrell served two years in the House but lost her bid for reelection in 2022 to Vasquez by less than a point.
New Mexico’s 2nd District, a largely rural area, has frequently swung from red to blue each election. Both parties had watched the race this year as a potential victory.
– Savannah Kuchar
Embattled Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar keeps seat in Congress
Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, will continue his career in Congress, winning an 11th term while facing over a dozen counts of money laundering, bribery and conspiracy charges.
Cuellar and his wife were indicted in May, accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign bribes. Cuellar also faces allegations of corruption, trying to influence U.S. foreign policy in exchange for the money.
Despite his legal woes, the long-serving Texas politician was successful in his bid for reelection, defeating Republican challenger and navy veteran Jay Furman.
– Savannah Kuchar
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi wins 20th term in 11th District
A powerhouse figure in Congress for four decades, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. was reelected to a 20th term.
Pelosi represents the 11th District, which includes most of San Francisco. She is the first and only woman to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2022, she announced she would step down from the leadership role to make way for a speaker from a new generation. The decision came weeks after a violent attack on her husband, Paul.
Pelosi easily won her district’s nonpartisan primary in March and defeated her Republican challenger, Bruce Lou, in the general election.
— Rachel Barber
Zach Nunn wins reelection over Democrat challenger in Iowa
Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, won a second term representing Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, beating Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam.
Nunn’s was one of two tossup House races in the state. The Republican and sixth-generation Iowan first took office after ousting former Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat.
With Nunn winning the district, which includes the capital of Des Moines, Republicans add to their chances of keeping House majority for another two years.
– Savannah Kuchar
Democrats win one of the nations most expensive House races
Democrat Josh Riley defeated Rep. Marc Molinaro’s, R-N.Y., bid for a second term, winning one of the nation’s most expensive House races.
Between the candidates and outside fundraising groups, Riley and Molinaro’s rematch race had cost more than $38 million as of November.
Their southern New York contest was one of a handful seen by Democrats as a potential flip opportunity.
– Savannah Kuchar
Expect a long wait for House results
We know the Senate will be controlled by Republicans, but don’t expect a verdict on the House any time soon.
Of 22 “toss up” races (as graded by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report) only one has been called by the Associated Press as of 1:15 a.m. ET.
There has been only one upset so far in the 69 races viewed as competitive.
Several of the most competitive races that will determine control of the House are in California and other western states where polls closed late in the evening for those following from the east coast.
The House is narrowly divided: Republicans currently control the chamber 220-212. Either party needs to get 218 seats to win the majority.
- Riley Beggin
Thune, Cornyn weigh in on Republicans’ Senate win
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, touted his party’s success in taking control of the Senate, saying in a statement he is “confident our new conservative majority can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic.”
Cornyn has said he plans to run for Senate Majority Leader, replacing Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. He will face a tight competition with South Dakota’s John Thune, who also released a statement following the GOP’s success Tuesday.
“Tonight, with Republicans reclaiming majority control of the U.S. Senate, we can begin to turn the page on this expensive and reckless chapter of American history,” Thune said. “As we wait for additional results, I am optimistic that President Trump will be successful, our majority will grow stronger, and we can continue our work together to create a safer and more secure country for every American.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who won his bid for reelection Tuesday and contributed to Republicans’ flip of the upper chamber, will is also vying for the top position.
-- Savannah Kuchar
Deb Fischer wins reelection in Nebraska Senate race
Republican Deb Fischer defended her Nebraska Senate seat against a challenge from independent candidate Dan Osborn, who was backed by liberal leaning groups.
Polling leading up to the race showed Osborn, a navy veteran and union leader, within striking distance of Fischer. But the upset never materialized on election day.
Fisher, 73, will enter her third term representing Nebraska in the Senate. She is a cattle rancher and member of the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations committees.
– Karissa Waddick
GOP congressmen keep competitive seats in New York and New Jersey
Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has won reelection to his seat in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District covering the western suburbs of New York City, while Rep. Nick LaLota won reelection to his seat in New York’s 1st Congressional District, covering the eastern tip of Long Island to the New York City suburbs.
Both districts leaned toward Republicans but were competitive enough to be major targets for Democrats this cycle.
President Joe Biden won Kean’s district by almost 4 percentage points in 2020 and won LaLota’s district by 0.2 percentage points.
The race for House control remains too close to call, with dozens of competitive races still up in the air.
- Riley Beggin
Republicans flip Senate after Moreno win in Ohio
Republicans have won control of the Senate, a potential boost for a Donald Trump presidency or a roadblock for Kamala Harris if she wins.
The victory of Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno over incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio likely tipped the scales in favor of Republicans, though they may flip even more seats before the night is over.
Odds have favored the GOP this entire election cycle, with all of the most competitive races in states represented by vulnerable Democratic senators. The retirement of Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia gave Republicans one clear pick-up in a ruby-red state.
Republicans only needed to win one more race to retake control of the chamber that is currently controlled 51-49 by Democrats, which they managed to do on Tuesday.
Ultimately, either Harris' or Trump's legislative ambitions on everything from taxes to health care and energy will depend on the makeup of the two chambers of Congress. The race for the House remains too close to call at this time with dozens of competitive races still uncalled.
- Riley Beggin
Hal Rogers wins 23rd term
Republican Hal Rogers, the longest serving member of Congress, won reelection in District 5.
Rogers, 86, has was first elected to the seat in 1980, has served on the Appropriations Committee for four decades, and became Dean of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022. Before entering politics Rogers worked as an attorney and served in the Army National Guard.
After easily securing his party’s nomination in the primary, Rogers ran unopposed in the general election.
— Rachel Barber
Democrat wins in redrawn Alabama district
Former Obama administration official Shomari Figures, a Democrat, won election in Alabama’s newly created 2nd Congressional District.
Stretching from the eastern to the western border in southern Alabama, the district was the product of a Supreme Court ruling last year that said the state’s previous congressional lines discriminated against Black voters. District 2 was redrawn and had been expected to lean Democratic.
Figures is a lifelong resident of the area and the son of two state senators. He previously worked as a top campaign aide for former President Barack Obama in 2008, then in the Department of Justice under Obama. More recently, Figures was the deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in the Biden administration.
– Savannah Kuchar and Victor Hagan
‘Squad’ member Ilhan Omar wins fourth term
Progressive Democrat and Rep. Ilhan Omar won reelection in District 5.
She is one of the remaining members of the House’s “Squad” that has been the target of millions of dollars from pro-Israel groups. Omar has been one of Congress’ strongest critics against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its military actions in its war against Hamas.
Omar narrowly defeated her Democratic challenger, Don Samuels, by just over 2,400 votes in her party’s primary. In a solidly blue state, Omar’s victory in the general election against Republican Dalia al-Aqidi was expected.
— Rachel Barber
Nebraska Senate race narrows
As votes are still being counted in Nebraska’s competitive U.S. Senate race, independent candidate and former union leader Dan Osborn and Republican Sen. Deb Fischer, who is running for a third term, are neck and neck.
Osborn currently leads Fischer by less than one point with 65% of the votes counted.
At a watch party in Papillion, Neb., a suburb of Omaha, supporters are anxiously standing by as the race tightens.
Osborn has insisted that he won’t caucus with any party if elected, which could matter in a closely divided Senate.
A recent New York Times/Siena College poll puts Osborn just two percentage points behind Fischer, 46% to 48%, with 5% of likely voters in Nebraska either undecided or refusing to answer. Other political tracking organizations, including the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, updated the contest to “leaning” versus “solidly” Republican.
--Maya Marchell Hoff
Democrat flips seat in New York’s 22nd District
Democrat John Mannion unseated Republican incumbent Rep. Brandon Williams in New York’s 22nd Congressional District.
Their race had been labelled “lean Democrat” by Cook Political Report. Mannion’s win is a pickup for Democrats hoping to take control of the House.
-- Savannah Kuchar
Hakeem Jeffries, potential House speaker, wins reelection
Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York won reelection in his Brooklyn district.
Jeffries served as minority leader for House Democrats, after former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ended her 20-year leadership reign in 2022.
If Democrats manage to take back control of the lower chamber, Jeffries would be the top contender for House speaker. Jeffries has been in office since 2013.
– Savannah Kuchar
Lauren Boebert wins reelection after Colorado districts switch
Rep. Lauren Boebert, a firebrand House Republican from Colorado, won reelection, after opting to run again in a different, redder district.
Boebert is finishing her current term representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, encompassing most of the state’s western half. But for her third term in Congress, her constituents will be in eastern Colorado's 4th District.
Boebert made the switch after former Rep. Ken Buck announced he would not run again in that district. Many speculated her move was to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Boebert nearly lost her bid for reelection in 2022, beating Democrat Adam Frisch by just 546 votes.
– Savannah Kuchar and Karissa Waddick
Trump ally Elise Stefanik wins reelection
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will serve her sixth term representing upstate New York in the state’s 21st Congressional District.
A rising star in the GOP, Stefanik has been a Trump loyalist in Congress, even floated as a potential running mate for the former president in 2024.
During an appearance on CNN back in February, the congresswoman said if she had been in former Vice President Mike Pence’s position on January 6, 2021, she would not have certified the 2020 election results.
“I don’t think that was the right approach,” Stefanik told anchor Kaitlan Collins.
– Savannah Kuchar
Ted Cruz wins third Senate term in Texas
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, beat his Democratic challenger, Rep. Collin Alred, D-Texas, to secure a third term representing Texas in the Senate, according to NBC News and Fox News.
Although Cruz won, the race was closer than expected in the closing days. The Cook Political Report, a political prognostication site, shifted it from a likely Republican win to lean Republican a month before the election.
This is the second election where Cruz has campaigned in a tight race against a Democratic opponent, fanning questions about whether Texas is becoming a purple state.
Cruz, who has stamped out a reputation as a conservative firebrand, won his 2018 race against former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, by less than three points.
– Karissa Waddick
Delaware’s Sarah McBride becomes first openly transgender member of Congress
Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender member of Congress after winning election in Delaware’s sole congressional district.
Just over 1% of adults in the U.S., or around 3 million Americans, identify as transgender, according to the US Census Bureau. As of 2022, there were 45 transgender elected officials nationwide, according to data from the LGBTQ Victory Institute.
McBride was elected a state senator in 2020. In her run for Congress this year, she faced Republican John Whalen.
– Savannah Kuchar and Rachel Barber
Two Black women make Senate history
The elections of Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks mark a milestone moment in American history.
Two Black women have never been elected to the Senate at the same time –until now. Only two other Black women have been elected to the Senate: Carol Moseley Braun in 1992 and Kamala Harris in 2016.
Laphonza Butler was appointed to complete late California Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term but was never chosen by voters. The pair will double the number of Black women who have been elected to serve in the Senate from two to four.
- Karissa Waddick
Speaker Mike Johnson wins reelection
House Speaker Mike Johnson won a fifth term in District 4.
Johnson was first elected in 2016, along with Donald Trump. Johnson, a staunch conservative popular with the former president’s base, has refused to accept the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. He was elected Speaker in 2023 after weeks of GOP infighting and the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
— Rachel Barber
Trump allies win reelection
Several allies of former President Donald Trump will be heading back to Congress' lower chamber, after handily winning reelection Tuesday evening.
Rep. Byron Donalds, a top surrogate for Trump's reelection campaign this year, was one of the first House races called, according to projections by the Associated Press. Donalds has been on the campaign trail stumping for Trump and making appearances targeted at appealing to Black voters.
His win was followed soon by fellow Floridian and member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus Rep. Anna Luna.
Live updates:As election results pour in, who will win control of House and Senate?
Jim Jordan to serve a 10th term in Congress
Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, won his tenth term in the House, beating Democratic challenger Tamie Wilson in Ohio’s 4th Congressional District according to the AP.
As chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Jordan helped lead a stalled impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
He was also a brief candidate for House speaker, following the ousting of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Despite being backed by Trump, Jordan was dropped by GOP House members after failing to get past three rounds of voting.
– Savannah Kuchar
Early results show a tight US Senate race in Texas
With a smattering of counties, some big and some small, the race between Republican U.S.Ted Cruz and Democratic challenger Colin Allred is about even. Keep in mind, the polls have been closed less than 20 minutes as this is being written.
Allred is running comfortably ahead in incomplete and unofficial returns from his home base of Dallas County. In neighboring Tarrant County, narrowly won by President Joe Biden four years ago, Cruz has a slim lead.
In Williamson County, north of Austin, it's Allred with the slim lead. So far, all of the rural counties reporting numbers show Cruz well ahead.
--John C. Moritz
Matt Gaetz wins fifth term in Florida
Florida’s ultraconservative congressman Rep. Matt Gaetz won a fifth term in office, defeating Democrat Aaron Dimmock.
retired naval officer Gaetz has been a controversial figure during his time in Congress so far. He led the charge to oust former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the speakership last fall, sparking an ongoing feud between the two.
Gaetz was also at the center of a now-closed sex trafficking investigation by the Justice Department.
– Savannah Kuchar
Marjorie Taylor Greene reelected in Georgia District 14
Firebrand conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene will serve a third term in Congress after winning reelection in District 14, according to AP.
Voters in the state’s northwest district first elected Greene in 2020. Greene has proved herself as a staunch Trump ally and controversial figure on Capitol Hill, making waves for her conspiracy theories and public fights on the House floor.
This year, she ran unopposed in her party’s primary and defeated Democrat Shawn Harris in the general election.
— Savannah Kuchar and Rachel Barber
Sen. Rick Scott wins Florida, keeps competitive seat Republican
Incumbent Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., defeated Democratic challenger former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
The Florida Senate race was seen as one of only two seats Democrats might be able to flip in their favor this year. This election cycle is tough for Senate Democrats, who are defending seats in almost all of the competitive races.
They had hoped that Scott's lagging popularity and increased Democratic voter turnout for a state abortion rights ballot initiative might help Mucarsel-Powell topple the first-term senator and former Florida governor.
Now only Texas remains potentially in play for Democrats, where incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz faces Rep. Colin Allred.
- Riley Beggin
Florida’s Anna Luna, Trump ally, wins reelection
Rep. Anna Luna, R-Fla., will serve a second term, after winning reelection Tuesday night according to the Associated Press.
A member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, Luna has represented her Gulf Coast district since 2020 and been a close Trump ally in the lower chamber.
-- Savannah Kuchar
Republicans flip Senate seat in West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is set to become the state's next U.S. senator, defeating Democrat Glenn Elliott in Tuesday's general election.
Since 2010, Independent Joe Manchin has held the seat. A former Democrat, Manchin frequently defied his party leadership while remaining at odds with former President Donald Trump. However, Manchin announced in November 2023 that he would not seek a third term.
Justice's win is a crucial moment for the Republican Party as it aims to regain control of the Senate. West Virginia has shifted sharply to the right over the past two decades, making it a must-win for Republican strategists.
Trump ally Byron Donalds wins reelection
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., won a third term in Congress, according to projections from the Associated Press.
The Florida Republican is a staunch Trump supporter and has been stumping for the former president, specifically helping to appeal to undecided Black voters who could be key in deciding the presidential race.
-- Savannah Kuchar
Bernie Sanders re-elected in Vermont
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., won reelection Tuesday, defeating Republican Gerald Malloy and securing his fourth term in the U.S. Senate. At 83, Sanders will continue his decades-long career in Washington with another six-year term.
Known as a leading progressive, Sanders has championed policies like Medicare for All and a higher federal minimum wage. First elected to the U.S. House in 1991, Sanders moved to the Senate in 2007 and ran for president in 2016 and 2020.
Though he is an Independent, Sanders is expected to continue caucusing with the Democratic Party.
Youngest member of Congress, Rep. Maxwell Frost wins a second term in Florida District 10
Congress’ youngest member, Rep. Maxwell Frost, will serve a second term, according to projections from the Associated Press.
Frost became the first Gen-Z member of Congress in 2022, elected to represent the Sunshine state’s 10th Congressional District, encompassing Orlando.
The 27-year-old is part of a rising group of young leaders in the Democratic party and has been a Harris campaign surrogate out on the campaign trail this year.
– Savannah Kuchar
Will lawmakers and congressional candidates commit to upholding the 2024 results? We asked
With nearly half of the country's Republicans and a quarter of Democrats questioning whether next month's presidential election will be fair, USA TODAY wanted to know where members of the next Congress stand on the issue.
So, we surveyed all 382 members of the House and 91 Senators who are either running for re-election or would still be in office in January, asking whether they would uphold the 2024 presidential election results, regardless of the winner. We also polled 747 candidates running for the House and Senate whose names are on the ballot this year. Those who agreed to uphold the results without conditions include:
117 sitting House members, 14 of whom are Republicans and 103 are Democrats;
27 sitting Senate members, 2 of whom are Republicans and 25 Democrats;
236 candidates for House and Senate, including 130 Democrats, 45 Republicans and 61 third-party candidates.
Here’s a full breakdown of how lawmakers responded.
-- Sudiksha Kochi
Speaker Johnson on election certification: 'Everybody needs to calm down'
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Tuesday said he would do his part to certify the 2024 election results.
“Of course,” Johnson told EWTN News.
“If we have a free and fair election, we're going to follow the Constitution. I mean, I've taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and always have my entire life. I’ve demonstrated over and over and over and so all this hyperbole and madness about, ‘Oh, they're going to try to unwind the election.’ None of that is true. None of it,’” Johnson added.
Democrats criticized Johnson in September after he told reporters that he would follow the Constitution and uphold the results if the election was free, fair and safe. In 2021, Johnson helped craft an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a Texas lawsuit aimed at overturning the 2020 election results lost by Donald Trump in four swing states.
“There's just too much emotion, too much misinformation out there,” Johnson told EWTN News. “Everybody needs to calm down.”
- Sudiksha Kochi
Sen. Deb Fischer facing tough reelection battle in Nebraska
Republican Sen. Deb Fischer is facing an unexpectedly tight reelection battle in deep red Nebraska against independent candidate Dan Osborn.
A New York Times/Sienna College poll fielded at the end of October should Osborn within two percentage points of Fischer, 46% to 48%.
The race could sway the balance of the Senate. Republicans are counting on Fischer’s seat as a key part of their efforts to take control of the Senate. If elected, Osborn will be the first independent candidate to represent Nebraska in more than 50 years.
Osborn, a U.S. Navy veteran and former union leader, has cast himself as a true independent candidate with no allegiance to Democrats or Republicans. Liberal-leaning groups have backed his campaign, but Osborn has rejected rumors from top Democrats that he plans to caucus with the party if elected.
– Karissa Waddick and Maya Marchel Hoff
Which states allow Election Day voter registration?
Over 60 million Americans have already voted, according to Election Hub at the University of Florida, but for some wanting to make their voice heard who aren't registered to vote yet, they can still participate.
Over 20 states, and Washington D.C., allow voters to register and vote on Election Day. Look here for a full list. Each state has its own voter registration requirements and rules, so voters should check their local election board’s website for details.
- Sarah Gleason
How many seats are there in Congress?
There are a total of 535 seats in the United States Congress. With two from each state, 100 exist in the Senate. Based on its population, each state elects a varying number of people to serve in the House of Representatives. In total, there are 435 seats in the House.
?Rachel Barber
What time do the polls close?
Across the country, polling hours on Nov. 5 will vary by location.
Most states will allow voters to cast their ballots between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. However, in some areas of Vermont, polls will open as early as 5 a.m. and in New York, polls will close as late as 9 p.m. Check with your state or local election office or its website to find the correct window when you can vote in your area.
USA TODAY’s Voter Guide details everything you need to know about making sure your voice is heard in this year’s general election.
-- Rachel Barber
Who controls Congress now?
Congress is currently divided, with Republicans having control over the House and Democrats holding a majority in the Senate.
?Savannah Kuchar
When does the new Congress take office?
The 119th U.S. Congress will officially take office on January 3, 2025, at noon. This transition date, set by the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ensures that all newly elected members of the House of Representatives and Senate can begin their terms and address key legislative priorities at the start of the year.
?Jeremy Yurow
What are the key Senate races?
A total of 34 Senate races are on the ballot this election cycle. Nine stand out as the most competitive. These are the crucial contests could ultimately decide which party takes control of the U.S. Senate:
Ohio: Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown (D) vs. businessman Bernie Moreno (R)
Montana: Incumbent Senator Jon Tester (D) vs. Republican Tim Sheehy
Pennsylvania: Incumbent Senator Bob Casey (D) vs. former official David McCormick (R)
Nebraska: Incumbent Senator Deb Fischer (R) vs. independent Dan Osborn
Texas: Incumbent Senator Ted Cruz (R) vs. former NFL player Colin Allred (D)
Michigan: Incumbent Senator Elissa Slotkin (D) vs. Republican Mike Rogers
Wisconsin: Incumbent Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) vs. businessman Eric Hovde (R)
Nevada: Incumbent Senator Jacky Rosen (D) vs. former military officer Sam Brown
Arizona: U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D) vs. Former TV anchor and gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake (R).
?Jeremy Yurow
What are the key House races?
All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs every midterm and presidential election year.
Much like the Senate, control of the House will come down to a handful of tight races. Republicans are defending their turf here – they control the lower chamber by only two seats – as the nation watches make-or-break contests.
Check out USA TODAY’s voter guide for a complete rundown of the most heated 2024 House of Representatives races:
–Riley Beggin
How long is a term length in Congress?
It's crucial to understand the term lengths for Congress's two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The differences in these terms impact how often voters can hold their representatives accountable.
Members of the House serve two-year terms, with all 435 seats up for election every midterm and presidential election year.
In contrast, U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, with elections staggered among the 100 senators. Currently, 34 senators are up for reelection, while another group will face voters in 2026 and the remaining in 2028.
–Jeremy Yurow
State-by-state election results
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House, Senate election results live updates: GOP wins Senate: Recap