05.11.2024, 11:39
In addition to the presidency, voters will also decide on Tuesday the future distribution of power in the US Congress. The 435 members of the House of Representatives and 34 of the hundred senators will be re-elected. The outcome will play an important role in how easily the winner of the US presidential election can govern until the next congressional elections in 2026. In the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently have the majority, polls indicate an extremely close result. Since representatives are elected for a period of two years, all 435 seats must be filled. 218 seats are needed for a majority in the parliamentary chamber.
For Democrats to achieve that majority, they will need to do well in New York and California, the typically Democratic-voting states with the most representatives in the House of Representatives. In the midterms – the midterm elections in the USA two years ago – a feared “red wave” did not materialize, but the Democrats lost five seats in Congress. They now want to win this back – an extremely close race is expected.
Are the balance of power in Congress shifting? Shortly before the election, the Republicans appear to have a slight advantage.
Photo: Keystone
The Democrats currently have a very narrow majority in the 100-seat Senate: The 47 Democratic senators, together with four independents who usually vote with them, form a majority of 51 to 49 seats. But it is now becoming apparent that the Republicans could turn things around.
These are the most important duels:
West Virginia: It is almost certain that the Republicans will gain at least one seat – that of independent politician Joe Manchin in West Virginia, who is not running again. Republican Gov. Jim Justice is expected to replace him. If the Republicans manage to win another seat, they will have control of the Senate.
Montana: In the northwestern state that voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, Democratic Sen. Jon Tester – the only elected official who is a farmer – is trying to defend his seat. However, this could be difficult because Republican and former elite soldier Tim Sheehy is ahead in the polls. However, Sheehy is accused of lying in connection with an alleged war injury.
Ohio: The 71-year-old Democrat Sherrod Brown has been in the Senate since 2007. He is hoping for another six-year term, but Ohio voted for Trump in the last two presidential elections. Brown is competing with Republican Bernie Moreno, a former car dealer with roots in Colombia. So far, both have been given equal opportunities. Brown campaigned for abortion rights.
Pennsylvania: In what is probably the most hotly contested swing state in the presidential election, Democratic Senator Bob Casey Junior is hoping for re-election. Most polls show Casey with a slight lead over Republican businessman David McCormick. Mcormick had appeared at several rallies for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, including on July 13 in Butler, when the 78-year-old narrowly survived an assassination attempt.
Michigan: Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow is retiring and her seat is up for grabs. In Michigan, the Democrats are counting on Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, a 48-year-old former CIA analyst. Former Representative Mike Rogers, a former FBI agent who chaired the House Intelligence Committee, is running for the Republicans. In recent polls, Slotkin is ahead of Rogers, but her lead is within the margin of error.
Wisconsin: In the important swing state, Democrat Tammy Baldwin is fighting for a third term in the Senate. In 2013, the 62-year-old became the first openly lesbian senator in US history. Baldwin has a slight lead in most polls over her Republican rival Eric Hovde. Here too, the lead is within the margin of error.
Texas and Nebraska: In Texas, party heavyweight Ted Cruz is competing for the Senate seat against Democratic challenger Colin Allred, a former NFL player. A Cruz defeat would be a blow to Republicans. In Nebraska, independent Dan Osborn is hoping for a surprise victory over Republican Senator Deb Fischer, who has already served two terms in the Senate. (TA/AFP)
