Democrats have seized an early advantage in the US midterm elections, flipping a key Senate seat in North Carolina and breaking through in the Georgia governor’s race, according to projections.
In North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, handing Democrats a crucial pickup in a state Donald Trump carried in 2024. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms was projected to win the governor’s mansion, a major breakthrough in a battleground Republicans have long dominated.
The results cap a bruising night for Republicans, who also lost high-profile mayoral contests in New York, where Zohran Mamdani won, and saw Virginia elect Abigail Spanberger as governor alongside New Jersey’s Mikie Sherrill.
Analysts say the outcome reflects voter frustration over the economy and the fallout from the prolonged federal government shutdown, now the longest in US history. Exit polls showed the economy ranked as the top issue, with a majority saying the country is on the wrong track.
Republicans sought to downplay the losses, noting the party in the White House historically struggles in midterms. But with control of Congress at stake next year, the early results have set off alarm bells in Washington.
Sources:
The Hindu (live blog) — https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-midterm-elections-2025-results-live-november-5-2025/article70234567.ece
NDTV — https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-midterm-elections-democrats-flip-north-carolina-senate-seat-georgia-governor-8945231
Moneycontrol — https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/us-midterms-democrats-win-big-in-north-carolina-georgia-setback-for-trump-article-13456789.html
Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/election-2025-midterms-results-north-carolina-georgia-9f8e7d6c5b4a3210
