US midterms: Contests in high-profile races remain tight

IANS  |  Washington 

As Americans voted in this year's crucial midterm elections, were making progress in their bid to take the House of Representatives, but were looking well-positioned to keep the with key races still tight.

Americans were voting for all 435 seats in the and 35 of 100 seats in the - the two bodies that make up Governors are also being chosen in 36 out of 50 states.

If maintain their hold on both the and the House of Representatives, they could help Donald Trump press on with his agenda.

But if the win 23 seats to regain their majority in the House,, they could stymie or even reverse Trump's plans.

Democrats claimed the first two of the net 23 seats they need for a House majority, according to projections.

Jennifer Wexton, who got a campaign visit from former on Monday, is set to defeat Republican for her seat in

is living up to its history as a cliffhanger state, with Democratic Senator hoping late votes in Democratic counties could narrow his slim deficit to his challenger, the outgoing

Democratic gubernatorial candidate is narrowly trailing his challenger Republican

In Texas, Democrat Beto O'Rourke and incumbent Senator are neck-and-neck as votes were being counted in the state.

But incumbent Democrat Senator was trailing his Republican challenger in with more than half the votes counted. The Democrats need to pick up two Senate seats and not lose any to have a majority.

Meanwhile, Trump's approval rating stood at 39 per cent in the latest poll.

Trump, who will complete his second year in the in January 2019, has campaigned non-stop in the midterm elections, focusing on states where his has a chance to pick up seats, especially in the US Senate.

The has touted his administration's economic policies, which have resulted in strong economic growth, record job creation and low unemployment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Wed, November 07 2018. 08:20 IST