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Associated Press

Trump faces gridlock after Republicans lose House, keep hold of Senate

November 7, 2018

The Democrats gained control of the US House of Representatives in today's elections, putting a big obstacle in the way of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

But things did not go all the Democrats' way, failing to win some seats they had their eye on.

And in the Senate, triumphant Republicans retained control, ousting Democratic incumbents in Indiana and North Dakota and ensuring they will remain as guardians of Trump's conservative agenda for two more years.

The Democrats needed a net gain of 23 House seats to break the Republicans' eight-year hold on that chamber and place a check on Trump.

Democratic candidates flipped seats in several suburban districts outside of Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver that were considered prime targets for turnover because they were won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.

And in Kansas, Democrat Sharice Davids beat a Republican incumbent to become the first Native American and gay woman elected to the House.

But the Democrats' push into Trump country remained uncertain. In Kentucky, one of the top Democratic recruits, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, lost her bid to oust to three-term Representative Andy Barr in the Lexington-area district.

Trump called the results a "tremendous success", while House Democrat minority leader Nancy Pelosi said "tomorrow will be a new day in America".

As Election Day unfolded, Democrats were increasingly confident on the strength of voter enthusiasm, robust fundraising and unusually fresh candidates.

Democratic control of the House will almost certainly lead to an onslaught of investigations of Trump's businesses and his administration.

In the Senate, despite Trump's deeply polarizing effect on voters, the Republicans harnessed his rock-solid popularity with hard-right voters in rural, deep-red states.

They held onto seats in the South, Midwest and West and ensured at least a 50-50 Senate - enough to give Republicans control because Vice-President Mike Pence as president of the Senate would tip the balance to the GOP.

Republicans paved their path to victory by defeating Democrats Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.

They also held on to competitive seats in Texas, where Senator Ted Cruz fended off Representative Beto O'Rourke, the well-financed liberal darling, and in Tennessee, where Representative Marsha Blackburn prevailed.

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