The US Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives in the mid-term elections, dealing a serious blow to President Donald Trump.
Taking control of the lower chamber of Congress for the first time in eight years will enable Democrats to thwart the president’s agenda.
But Mr Trump’s Republicans have retained control of the US Senate.
What’s happening in House races?
The Democrats can now launch investigations into Mr Trump’s administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest, while blocking his legislative agenda.
New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is projected to become the youngest ever congresswoman, at 29 years old.
Democrats Ilhan OImar and Rashida Tlaib are also expected to make history in Minnesota and Michigan respectively as the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
Democrats Sharice Davids of Kansas and Debra Haaland from New Mexico are set to become the first Native American women elected to Congress.
Ms Davids, a lesbian former cage-fighter, is also the first openly gay representative from Kansas.
What’s happening in Senate races?
Republicans may expand their majority in the upper chamber of Congress, where they currently hold sway by 51 seats to 49.
Three Democratic incumbents – Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Claire McCaskill in Missouri and Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota – suffered defeat to Republican challengers.
And Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz fended off a strong challenge by Democratic rising star Beto O’Rourke.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Mr Trump had “closed the deal” for Republican businessman Mike Braun in Indiana.
Democrats were always facing an uphill battle in the Senate this year because they were defending 26 seats, while just nine Republican seats were up for grabs.
America’s partisan trenches deepen
The door to a Democratic-controlled Senate slammed shut. Donald Trump will continue to have a Republican majority ready and willing to confirm his executive and judicial appointments. The only question now is the size of his party’s advantage.
In the House of Representatives, however, the story is different. The path of least resistance for Democrats to a majority in that chamber led through educated suburban districts that had long voted for Republicans, but contained voters that may have been uneasy with Donald Trump’s policies and rhetoric.
The partisan trenches in America are getting deeper. And after two years in the darkness, Democrats have a means to fight back.
What’s happening in governors’ races?
In Florida, left-wing progressive Andrew Gillum has conceded after an ugly battle against a Trumpist conservative, Ron DeSantis.
Jared Polis is projected to win the Colorado gubernatorial race, becoming the first openly gay man to be a US governor.
New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo – sometimes spoken of as a 2020 presidential contender – is expected to cruise to a third term.
Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams could become the first female African-American governor in the US if she can beat Republican opponent Brian Kemp after a bitter campaign.
