Democrats gain two Senate seats in Carolinas as midterm results come in

Democratic candidates won both Senate races in North and South Carolina on Tuesday, securing a net gain of two seats for their party in the US midterm elections. These victories bring Democrats closer to the four additional seats required to seize control of the chamber from Republicans. Initial projections confirmed the results in both states, altering the balance of power in the upper house.

The Republican Party entered the election cycle with a 53-47 majority in the Senate. To take control, Democrats needed to flip at least four seats. The wins in the Carolinas satisfy two of those requirements. The remaining races in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas will determine whether Democrats achieve the necessary majority. Georgia and New Hampshire remained in Democratic hands, while the status of other key battlegrounds remained in play as results tallied.

In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley in a decisive victory. Cooper, 69, is a two-term former governor who campaigned heavily on the rising cost of food and energy. His opponent, Whatley, was a former Republican National Committee chair hand-picked by President Donald Trump. Whatley had never held elective office before this campaign. Cooper replaced retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who stepped down after disagreeing with Trump over Medicaid cuts included in the president's tax and spending legislation.

Cooper addressed supporters in Raleigh after winning, stating that the electorate demonstrated a capacity for change when everyday people unite. He pledged to focus immediately on affordability issues in Washington. The former governor built his lead through high name recognition and strong support from independent voters. Trump, whose approval ratings had declined, campaigned alongside Whatley during the final weeks of the race.

In South Carolina, pediatrician Annie Andrews narrowly defeated Darline Graham in a surprise upset. Andrews becomes the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in the state since 1998. Graham had been appointed to the seat by Governor Henry McMaster following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, in July. Trump had recommended Graham for the role, describing the appointment as a tribute to her late brother, a prominent foreign policy hawk and ally of the president.

Media outlets NBC News and CNN called the South Carolina race in Andrews's favor. Graham had temporarily filled the seat after her brother's death but failed to maintain the support her party and the president had anticipated. Andrews's victory adds another seat to the Democratic column, intensifying the struggle for Senate control. The race was considered a critical test for the Republican Party's hold on the southern state.

Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mike Collins. Ossoff, 39, is the youngest member of the Senate and secured his seat in a state that President Trump won in the 2024 presidential election. He raised more than $100 million during the campaign, a sum that sparked speculation about a potential presidential bid in 2028. Ossoff campaigned as a sharp critic of the Trump administration, focusing on corruption and economic stagnation.

Ossoff told supporters in Georgia that the American people had rejected the incompetence and corruption of the administration. He stated that the goal was to heal the political system beyond containing one president. The retention of Georgia and the wins in the Carolinas provide Democrats with a stronger position as they wait for final results from other competitive states.