Democrats sweep Senate races in Texas and South Carolina, close in on US House

In a historic night of voting, Democrats emerged victorious in two crucial Senate races in Texas and South Carolina, marking a significant comeback in Republican strongholds that hadn't been contested in decades. The election came as tens of millions of voters expressed their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump.

The Democrats' surge also extended to the U.S. House of Representatives, where they were poised to claim control after flipping eight Republican seats in diverse states like Kentucky, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Their strength was particularly notable in districts known for their conservative leanings.

In Texas, James Talarico, a Democratic state representative, managed to unseat Ken Paxton, a Republican attorney general who had been embroiled in a scandal. Paxton had previously represented Texas in a presidential election that saw Trump winning by 14 points.

Similarly, in South Carolina, pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Senator Darline Graham, who had taken the seat following her brother's death and the subsequent appointment of Lindsey Graham. Despite Trump's efforts to elevate both Paxton and Graham ahead of more seasoned candidates, the Democrats managed to secure these crucial victories due to the voters' strong opposition to Trump.