Congressional elections live updates: Republicans win Senate majority, House control still up for grabs

Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Montana on Wednesday. Zinke will serve a second term in the western Montana district, which was drawn after the state received an additional congressional seat from the 2020 census. Zinke faced a rematch against Democrat Monica Tranel, who fell a few points short of winning the seat in 2022. Zinke was U.S. interior secretary in the Trump administration for nearly two years before resigning while facing several ethics investigations. Zinke served as Montana's lone U.S. House member from 2015 through early 2017, when he resigned to become interior secretary. The Associated Press declared Zinke the winner at 6:28 a.m. EST.

Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet won election to a U.S. House seat representing Michigan on Wednesday. Her victory means Democrats will retain control of a competitive district after Rep. Dan Kildee, who has represented the Flint area for about a decade, decided to retire. McDonald Rivet currently represents a competitive state Senate district that covers Midland, Saginaw and Bay City. She defeated Republican Paul Junge, who unsuccessfully ran against Kildee in 2022 and had worked in U.S. Customs and Immigration Services during the Trump administration. The Associated Press declared McDonald Rivet the winner at 6:09 a.m. EST.

Long lines at Montana polling places due to voters registering late delayed the counting of ballots in some of the state's larger cities.

Some people who lined up before polls closed waited hours in frigid, snowy weather to cast their votes. Roughly 200 people were still in line after midnight at the courthouse in one of the state's largest counties, Gallatin, some four hours after polls closed.

By 3 a.m., about 20 people were still there. Election officials didn't plan to begin releasing results until every voter had gone through.

"I'm tired," Tatyana Deshields, 22, said after she'd waited in line for more than four hours with some friends. "They had to tap me to tell me to keep moving."

Republicans have taken the White House and Senate, but the House is still very much in play.

With nearly 60 House elections still undecided, either party could gain control of the chamber. For Democrats, a House majority is the last hope of gaining a toehold in Washington and putting a check on Donald Trump's power. Yet if Republicans win a House majority, they'll be able to implement Trump's agenda with more ease, including extending tax cuts, funding hardline border measures and dismantling parts of the federal government.

Still, it might take some time before House control is decided. Neither party so far has a convincing advantage in the tally of key House races. There are tight races all over the country, including many in slow-counting California.

Republicans have flipped a House seat that was previously held by Democrats, giving them a valuable pickup in a frenzied race for House control.

At this point, practically every seat matters when it comes to building a House majority. In Michigan's 7th district, Republican Tom Barrett picked up a seat that Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin vacated to run for U.S. Senate. Barrett, a former state senator, defeated another former state lawmaker, Democrat Curtis Hertel.

On the campaign trail, Barrett didn't back away from his record of supporting abortion restrictions in the statehouse, but he also described abortion access as a settled issue in Michigan.

Republican Tom Barrett won election to a U.S. House seat representing Michigan on Wednesday, flipping a Democratic-held district. Two years after losing to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin in a high-profile House race, Barrett defeated Democrat Curtis Hertel to capture Slotkin's seat. Slotkin this year chose to run for U.S. Senate. While the district includes Democratic strongholds in the Lansing area, it also includes Republican-leaning counties like Livingston and Shiawassee, making it a target for national Republicans looking to hold the U.S. House majority. The Associated Press declared Barrett the winner at 4:05 a.m. EST.

House Speaker Mike Johnson took the stage with Donald Trump as he delivered his election speech.

Johnson has tied himself closely to Trump as he seeks to help Republicans keep a House majority, as well as hold on to his job as speaker.

Johnson's job, however, is far from secure. It is still not clear who will win a House majority and whether Republicans will keep him as their leader when they hold leadership elections on Nov. 13.

Donald Trump made sure to recognize GOP wins in down ballot races in his speech in the early morning Wednesday.

"The number of victories in the senate was absolutely incredible," Trump said.

Republicans have so far won 51 seats, giving them a majority. But Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada have not been called, and it's possible Republicans could pick up more seats.

Trump also said he expected Republicans to hold the House and complimented House Speaker Mike Johnson. The House, however, is still up for grabs.

There are over 70 House races across the country that have not been called, and neither party has a convincing edge in the tally of House races.

Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Texas on Wednesday. Cuellar, a 10-term representative, is the top Democrat on the House appropriations subcommittee in charge of homeland security. Earlier this year, he was indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges over ties to the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan. The district spans a wide section of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, including Cuellar's hometown of Laredo, and includes a narrow strip that runs to San Antonio's suburbs. He defeated Republican Jay Furman, a retired Navy commander. The Associated Press declared Cuellar the winner at 1:54 a.m. EST.

Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing New Mexico on Wednesday. Vasquez faced a rematch against Republican Yvette Herrell, who previously represented the district for a single term. The majority-Hispanic district was a top target for Republicans this cycle. Democrat Joe Biden carried the district in 2020. Republicans campaigned against Democrats' immigration policies in a district that runs along the U.S.-Mexico border. It also includes Las Cruces and the western suburbs of Albuquerque. The Associated Press declared Vasquez the winner at 1:54 a.m. EST.

Nevada's top election official says polls closed in Nevada nearly three hours late after voters waited in long lines to cast ballots.

Initial election results began to be posted just before 10 p.m. PST.

Polls had been scheduled to close at 7 p.m., but state law allows anyone in line at that time to be allowed to cast a ballot.

Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar acknowledged Nevada's position as an electoral battleground and promised to keep updating results as the counties receive "and cure" additional ballots.

Mailed ballots are accepted and counted until Saturday, and thousands of voters whose ballots were set aside to allow for signature verification, or "curing" have until 5 p.m. Nov. 12 to validate their vote with election officials.

The pickups for House Democrats have mostly come from New York so far as the party flipped its second seat in the state.

Democrat Josh Riley defeated Republican Rep. Mark Molinaro in a district that spans across the center of the state. Democrats earlier flipped a seat held by Rep. Brandon Williams.

While a House majority is still up for grabs, the victories will buoy Democrats' hopes, especially in House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries' home state.

Democrat Josh Riley won election to a U.S. House seat representing New York on Wednesday, defeating Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro. Riley, an attorney, first faced Molinaro in the 2022 midterm election and narrowly lost to him. Molinaro was one of several first-term Republicans in New York running for reelection in a district that Democrat Joe Biden carried in the 2020 presidential election. This district stretches from the Hudson River Valley to the Finger Lakes. The Associated Press declared Riley the winner at 1:17 a.m. EST.

Nebraska voters approved a ballot measure to write the state's current 12-week abortion ban into the state constitution.

It also allows for a stricter ban to be imposed. The abortion restriction measure was one of two competing abortion measures to appear on the ballot.

The other measure would enshrine in the Nebraska Constitution the right to an abortion until viability, or later to protect the health of the pregnant woman.

Nebraska is the first state to carry competing abortion amendments on the same ballot since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, which ended a national right to abortion.

The measure's passage comes shortly after a closely-watched Senate race in the state ultimately ended with the Republican incumbent maintaining control.

Democrat Maggie Goodlander won election to a U.S. House seat representing New Hampshire on Wednesday, holding the seat for her party. She will succeed Democratic Rep. Annie Kuster, who is retiring after six terms in Congress. Goodlander is a former senior White House aide and is married to Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser. She defeated Republican Lily Tang Williams, who also ran for the seat in 2022 and finished third that year in the Republican primary. The Associated Press declared Goodlander the winner at 1:07 a.m. EST.

Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing New York on Wednesday. Suozzi, who had represented this Long Island district for three terms before stepping down to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2022, returned to his old seat this year in a special election after Republican Rep. George Santos was expelled from Congress. Suozzi defeated Michael LePetri, a former state assemblyman. The district covers the northern half of Nassau County and a small piece of Queens. The Associated Press declared Suozzi the winner at 1:07 a.m. EST.

Most House races have been called, but there have been practically no surprises so far, leaving the race for a House majority razor thin.

There are still almost 100 races still to be called across the country, and two dozen of those are the closest races.

Republicans have so far benefitted from redistricting in North Carolina, giving them a few pickups. But Democrats have been able to flip a competitive seat in New York as well as pickup a redistricted seat in Alabama.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., has been reelected to a sixth term in the House. She is the highest-ranking woman among House Republicans, serving as the conference chair.

Stefanik's rise in the GOP ranks follows her transition from studious moderate to staunch Donald Trump supporter and defender.

Stefanik replaced then Rep. Liz Cheney as the No. 3 GOP leader after Cheney was ousted from her post for repeatedly rebuking Trump for his false claims of election fraud and for his role inciting the Jan. 6th, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

With Senate control going to the Republicans, the race for the House is being played out district-by-district in dozens of competitive elections.

For Republicans, it's a chance to gain full control of Congress as they try to sweep into power. For Democrats, a House majority will give them an important check on the GOP's power and force compromise in Washington.

House races are being decided across the country, from hard-fought races in New York to elections in California where it could still take days to determine a winner.

Republican Spencer Cox won reelection as governor of Utah on Wednesday. Cox defeated Democratic state Rep. Brian King and conservative write-in candidate Phil Lyman, who had urged his supporters to vote for him instead of Cox after losing the Republican primary in June. This will be Cox's second term in the governor's office. He has long been viewed as a moderate Republican but surprised voters this summer when he unexpectedly backed Donald Trump after the presidential candidate survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. The Associated Press declared Cox the winner at 12:29 a.m. EST.

The other contender for majority leader in a new Republican conference is the No. 2 GOP senator, John Thune.

The South Dakota lawmaker was initially seen as an obvious successor to McConnell, given his position as the vote counter for the conference but his fellow Republicans have made the race much more contentious over the past year.

"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 in a statement.

Moments after AP declared that Republicans would control the Senate, one of the several contenders to replace Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made his case.

Sen. John Cornyn touted his experience as the GOP's vote counter during Trump's first term and working with rank-and-file members in a statement early Wednesday.

"As I've said, this election is not about us but rather what is best for the conference and the nation," the Texas Republican said. "I look forward to working with President Trump and our new conservative majority to make America great again by making the Senate work again."

Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Pennsylvania on Wednesday. A former Navy officer, Deluzio has held the seat since 2023. This year, he defeated Republican Rob Mercuri, an Army veteran who represents part of Allegheny County in the state House of Representatives. In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden carried this district, which includes the Pittsburgh suburbs and extends through Beaver County to Ohio's eastern border. The Associated Press declared Deluzio the winner at 12:19 a.m. EST.

Republican Rep. Zach Nunn won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Iowa on Wednesday. Nunn flipped the highly competitive Des Moines-anchored district in 2022, just two cycles after Democrats flipped it in 2018. In 2020, the district split nearly evenly in the presidential race, though Republican Donald Trump ended up with the edge. This year, the race drew attention and millions of dollars in spending. Democrats backed Afghanistan war veteran Lanon Baccam. The Associated Press declared Nunn the winner at 12:18 a.m. EST.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as House speaker, has been reelected to a 20th term serving a San Francisco-based congressional district.

Pelosi has had two stints as House speaker, both lasting four years. In the second stint, she agreed to limit herself to two terms as the lead House Democrat as part of a compromise to secure the votes needed for her to gain the gavel.

She has the ceremonial title of speaker emerita and continues to hold sway even as Democratic members turn to a new generation of leadership.

Her husband, Paul, was seriously injured in October 2022 by an intruder who struck him in the head with a hammer. The attacker intended to hold Pelosi hostage, though she was not home at the time.

Democrats have picked up a seat in Alabama that was redistricted to ensure fair representation for Black voters. It's the second flipped seat for Democrats tonight.

Democrats Shomari Figures in Alabama prevailed over Republican Caroleene Dobson to give Democrats an important pickup in the race for House control.

Republicans have also benefited from redistricting, especially in North Carolina where they picked up three House seats redrawn by the state's GOP-controlled General Assembly to favor Republican candidates.

The GOP has won control of the Senate as Sen. Deb Fischer secures reelection in Nebraska.

With at least 51 Senate seats secured, Republicans will retake control of the chamber for the first time in four years. It gives the party a major power center in Washington and important power in confirming the next president's Cabinet, as well as any Supreme Court justice if there is a vacancy.

With a handful of battleground races yet to be decided, Republicans still have an opportunity to grow their majority.

GOP senators have already been looking at ways to extend tax cuts that were passed during Donald Trump's first term, as well as sending funding towards toughened border security measures.

However, the extent of Republicans' power in Washington will also be determined by the results of the presidential and House races.

Republican Rep. Bryan Steil won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Wisconsin on Wednesday. Steil won a fourth term over Peter Barca, who was the last Democrat to hold the seat. Barca went on to serve in the state Legislature and left his job as Wisconsin revenue secretary to take on Steil. Steil was first elected to the seat in 2018, succeeding former House Speaker Paul Ryan. The congressional district covers southeastern Wisconsin along the Illinois border. The Associated Press declared Steil the winner at 12:07 a.m. EST.

Republican Sen. Deb Fischer won a third term to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday. Fischer won her previous two elections by wide margins in the deep-red state. But she faced her toughest challenge yet in political newcomer Dan Osborn, a mechanical engineer who appealed to voters by eschewing the major political parties and running as an independent. Fischer successfully countered by leaning into support for former President Donald Trump. Despite their at-times rocky relationship, Trump endorsed Fischer for reelection, which Fischer touted in her campaign ads. The Associated Press declared Fischer the winner at 12:06 a.m. EST.