US Midterms: Democrats Win Control of Congress as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina Flip, AFP Reports

Democrats have won control of Congress in the US midterm elections, flipping Republican strongholds including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, according to an AFP report carried by Malay Mail on Wednesday (November 4).

Notable results

In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed claimed victory in the Senate race early on November 4 and is set to become the first Muslim US senator, Malay Mail reported. A photograph from Austin, Texas, showed supporters of Democratic Senate candidate and Texas state Representative James Talarico watching results at a watch party on election night.

Reactions

Another AFP report said Europe is relieved by what it called a stunning rout of Republicans, which left President Donald Trump weakened, while remaining wary of what follows. Iran's top negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Americans had voted 'NO TO WAR' in a midterm landslide and that Iran endorsed it. A further analysis headline on November 5 said a lame-duck Trump could still cause a flap after the defeat.

Caution on figures

The excerpts reviewed do not include final seat counts for the House or Senate, and results and projections can change as counting is completed and races are certified. Readers should check the Associated Press and other established agencies for official tallies.

The outcome is expected to shape US policy debates on the economy, immigration and the war with Iran, with knock-on effects for oil prices and global markets.

Sources: Malay Mail (AFP) - Democrats win control of Congress | Malay Mail (AFP) - El-Sayed claims Michigan Senate win | Malay Mail (AFP) - Europe relieved by Republicans' midterm bashing | Malay Mail (AFP) - Iran's top negotiator on 'NO TO WAR' vote

US Voters Head to the Polls in High-Stakes Midterm Test of Trump Presidency

American voters headed to the polls on Tuesday (November 3) in the midterm elections, widely seen as a high-stakes test of Donald Trump's presidency, according to AFP reports carried by Malay Mail.

The campaign messages

Republicans insisted that Trump's tax cuts and immigration crackdown will benefit Americans, and they portrayed Democratic candidates as left-wing radicals, AFP reported. Democrats, for their part, had been expected to win at least partial control of Congress, which would impose political constraints on the president for the first time in two years.

What a defeat could mean

A follow-up AFP analysis published on Wednesday (November 4) argued that there would be no lame-duck lull for Trump if Republicans lose ground, and that a midterm defeat threatens to unleash a political storm in Washington. The issues cited in related reports include high inflation, the war with Iran and possible Democratic investigations.

Results

At the time of writing, counting was still under way and I could not confirm final results for the House or Senate, so no winner or seat count is stated here. Results can change as ballots are tallied, and projections can be revised. Readers should check the Associated Press and other established news agencies for the latest official figures.

For Malaysia, the outcome may influence oil prices, the US dollar and trade policy, all of which can affect the ringgit and fuel costs.

Sources: Malay Mail (AFP) - US voters head to polls | Malay Mail (AFP) - No lame-duck lull for Trump

US Midterm Elections: Parties Hold Final Rallies as Voters Head to the Polls

Democrats and President Donald Trump held their final rallies on Sunday and Monday ahead of the US midterm elections, which take place on Tuesday, November 3, in the United States. Malay Mail, drawing on AFP reporting, covered the closing stretch of the campaign.

What is at stake

AFP reported that all eyes are on Tuesday's vote, with Democrats expecting to win at least partial control of Congress. That would impose political constraints on Trump for the first time in two years. The report said a loss of total Republican dominance would push the president into a lame-duck period beset by high inflation at home, a sputtering war against Iran and hostile Democratic investigations into his activities in Washington. One Democratic campaign rally on November 1 was held at a United Auto Workers hall in Cleveland, Ohio.

Markets are watching

Financial markets have been preparing for volatility. Susannah Streeter of Wealth Club said investors are bracing for turbulence around the election while they assess how much cash companies are burning on artificial intelligence. Analysts also noted that signals from Trump about talks with Iran may be tactical ahead of the vote.

Why Malaysians may care

US election outcomes can influence oil prices, the dollar and trade policy, all of which feed into Malaysia's ringgit, exports and fuel costs. Results will come in over the next day, and counts and calls can change as ballots are tallied, so readers should rely on official sources and established news agencies for final results rather than early projections.

Sources: Malay Mail (AFP) - Democrats, Trump hold final rallies before midterm elections | Malay Mail (AFP) - Oil prices sink on US-Iran war hope ahead of midterms