US Midterm Elections 2022: Former President Trump's Republican Party temporarily dominates

Most US states have now completed voting in the midterm elections, with exit polls showing former President Donald Trump's Republican Party holding a slight lead.

Former US President Donald Trump at a campaign rally for the Republican Party in the "battleground" state of Nevada ahead of the midterm elections on November 8. Photo: WSJ

As of 10 p.m. Eastern Time on November 8 (10 a.m. on November 9, Vietnam time), polling stations in a series of states such as Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Utah have closed. The remaining states are also completing the voting process.

Forecast of midterm election results for the US House of Representatives (above) and Senate as of 10 p.m. on November 8 (US time). Blue represents the Democratic Party, red represents the Republican Party. Graphics: CNN

Election results forecasts from news agencies based on post-vote polls show that former President Trump's Republican Party (GOP) is temporarily leading current President Joe Biden's Democratic Party in the races for the House of Representatives, Senate and governorship.

According to CNN's latest forecast update, Republicans have now won 145 of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives, while Democrats have only 81 seats. Whichever party wins 218 seats will take control of this legislative body.

The race in the Senate appears to be tighter, with each party holding 40 of the 100 seats. Control of the legislature will go to whichever party holds 50 seats.

In the gubernatorial elections on November 8, many incumbents easily won re-election. In Florida, GOP Governor Ron DeSantis will continue to lead the state for another term after defeating Democratic challenger Charlie Crist, according to forecasts from the Edison Research firm. The victory gives Mr. DeSantis the opportunity to become the Republican presidential candidate in 2024 and signals that the battleground state remains under GOP control.

Forecast of the results of the state governor elections as of 10 p.m. on November 8 (US time). Graphics: CNN

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine of the GOP also won re-election after defeating Democratic candidate Nan Whaley. Meanwhile, Democrat Maura Healey became the first female governor of Massachusetts. AP reported that Ms. Healey is also the first openly LGBT governor in the US.

Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders of the GOP also became the first female governor of Arkansas.

With state elections underway, 25-year-old Democrat Maxwell Frost is expected to win Florida's 10th district to become the first member of Generation Z to be elected to Congress.

US President Joe Biden. Photo: AP

The White House said President Biden called to congratulate several Democratic candidates on their midterm election victories.

"This evening (November 8), the President called to congratulate Massachusetts Governor-elect Maura Healey, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Senator-elect Peter Welch, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer," the White House said in a statement.