Democrats avoid “red wave” as vote count continues

Follow Thursday’s election updates here. Our earlier coverage is below.

Washington — Democrats appeared to have staved off a Republican “red wave” as the dust settled from Tuesday’s midterm elections, but overall control of Congress remains unresolved, with the GOP still within striking distance of taking the House and the battle for the Senate coming down to a handful of remaining races.

Democrats picked up a Senate seat in the key state of Pennsylvania, where CBS News showed Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman defeated Republican Mehmet Oz in the most expensive and closely watched Senate contest in the country. Fetterman will replace GOP Sen. Pat Toomey in the upper chamber, which currently has 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. 

“It was a good day, I think, for democracy. And it was a good day for America,” President Biden said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the White House. “Our democracy has been tested in recent years, but with their votes, the American people have spoken, and proven once again that democracy is who we are.”

Three states will now determine which party controls of the Senate, according to CBS News’ projections: Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. 

In Georgia, Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker will face each other in a runoff election on Dec. 6, since neither reached the 50% threshold needed to avoid a head-to-head matchup under state law.

Arizona’s Senate race is leaning toward the Democrats, while Nevada is a toss-up, according to CBS News estimates. Overall control of the Senate is likewise characterized as a toss-up, meaning either party could ultimately emerge with control once results are finalized. As of Wednesday, Republicans are projected to control at least 49 seats, while Democrats are expected to hold 48:

Alaska’s Senate race is also unresolved, but the top two candidates are both Republicans, meaning the results won’t have any bearing on the balance of power in the Senate.

The GOP did make inroads elsewhere, including in Florida, where big victories for incumbent Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Marco Rubio were fueled by strong support among Latino voters, a continuation of a shift that began in 2020. 

GOP Sen. Ron Johnson is projected to win reelection in Wisconsin, defeating Democrat Mandela Barnes to keep the state’s Senate seat in Republican hands.

Control of the House was also leaning in Republicans’ favor on Wednesday, as votes continue to be counted in dozens of districts across the country. CBS News estimates the GOP will win at least 210 seats, and the Democrats at least 200, both short of the 218 needed to gain control. 

Full results and projections for every House, Senate and governor’s race can be found in the CBS News Election Center and in updates below.