Explainer | US midterm elections: the Senate, House and governor races to watch
- Control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate are contested in Tuesday’s midterm elections
- Governor races in dozens of states could carry high stakes for issues such as abortion and guns
Tuesday’s US midterm elections will determine which party will control Congress, who will serve in governors’ mansions and who will define policies in dozens of states.
Control of the Senate may be decided in a handful of high-profile races in Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania, which drew last-minute campaign stops from President Joe Biden and former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
The fate of the House follows a similar storyline. Republican challengers in Virginia, Texas and Michigan are hitting candidates over the economy and other issues to gain enough seats to take control of the House. If Democrats lose control of either chamber, Biden’s ability to pass his agenda becomes more difficult.
Governor races in 36 states, including marquee matchups in Arizona and Michigan, will decide who will represent voters closer to home.
Ballot questions on policies ranging from abortion to marijuana and the environment are putting state policies in the hands of voters.
Here are the key races and ballot initiatives to watch: