Who won in China? In the US midterms, Susan Collins and the local firefighters

In the United States' recent midterm elections, Republican Senator Susan Collins secured a victory in the small town of China, Maine. Collins defeated Democrat Troy Jackson by a margin of 1,333 votes to 871. Meanwhile, in China Grove, Texas, voters were preoccupied with the town's budget and road maintenance. Residents decided whether to renew a sales tax that sets aside a quarter of a cent for street maintenance and repairs.

The early unofficial returns showed 387 votes for the renewal and 198 against. In North Carolina's China Grove, three town council seats were up for grabs. Two were held by newcomers, Diane Folk and Mike Upright, who led with 789 votes and 638 votes respectively. The incumbent, Don Bringle, maintained his third seat with 28 more votes than his opponent Arthur Heggins.

Back in Maine, the town of China also had a unique voting history. In 1818, the town was named Bloomville, but when their representative reached Boston, they found the name was already taken. They decided to borrow the title of a popular hymn, "China."