What to know about today's elections
- Competitive races in dozens of states provided insights into what voters are thinking ahead of 2024, including further evidence that voters remain motivated by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which helped propel Democrats to victories in Kentucky and Virginia. There were also few signs that economic unease hurt incumbents.
- Voters in the conservative state of Ohio approved two ballot measures. The first will enshrine the right to reproductive care, including access to abortion, in the state constitution. The second will legalize recreational marijuana use. Both amendments required 50% thresholds after voters rejected a measure this year to raise the threshold.
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, defeated Republican state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who has defended the state's abortion ban.
- In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, defeated Democrat Brandon Presley.
- Virginia held elections for the state Senate and House. Democrats held control of the upper chamber and flipped the state House. The fight for control of the Senate had largely been painted as a vote on whether the state would further restrict abortion.
Bad night for Virginia Republicans
The night couldn’t have gone much worse for Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Republicans in Virginia.
Not only did Republicans not flip the state Senate, but they did not hold onto the House of Delegates. Youngkin will have to spend the next two years working with a Democratic-controlled legislature.
If any abortion-restricting legislation had been written up in draft form, it might as well be thrown out, at least for the next two years.
Democrats flip control of Virginia House, AP projects
Democrats have flipped control of the Virginia House, The Associated Press projected. The turn is a loss for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who had hoped Republicans would take control of the Legislature.
Republican Tate Reeves wins Mississippi race for governor
NBC News projects that Republican Tate Reeves has won the Mississippi race for governor, beating Democrat Brandon Presley.
Presley concedes in Mississippi governor's race
Democrat Brandon Presley conceded in the Mississippi governor’s race, saying he wishes Republican Tate Reeves the best.
“Unfortunately, it looks like we came up a little short, and I spoke with Governor Reeves just a minute ago and congratulated him on his victory,” he told supporters. “I respect the decision of the voters of Mississippi because that’s what makes our democracy what it is.”
NBC News has not made a projection in the race.
Antonin Scalia's daughter losing her school board race in Virginia
Meg Bryce, the daughter of the late conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, was losing her race for the school board in Albemarle County, Virginia, by a significant margin with 30 out of 31 precincts in.
Bryce was down by 24 percentage points to Allison Spillman, a mother of five children in public school. Bryce has four children, all of whom are in private school.
Book bans became an issue in the race. Both candidates said they were against them, but Bryce said she believed there should be a way for parents to object to material assigned in school.
Silence from Team Youngkin after Democratic wins
As the Virginia Democrats rack up wins in Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's team has been unusually quiet.
Social media accounts for Youngkin and his Spirit of Virginia PAC were radio silent for several hours — they’re usually constant with praise for Republicans.
At 11:23 p.m., the PAC's chair, Dave Rexrode, posted on X: "We are still monitoring a couple key races and will fully assess where things stand in the morning. We had hoped for a stronger outcome this evening but are proud of the effort all of our candidates put in to these extremely competitive districts."
Democrats block GOP bid to take full control of Virginia state government, hold control of Senate
Voters rejected Republican efforts to take full control of Virginia’s state government, according to The Associated Press, keeping Democrats in power in the state Senate as a counterweight to GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his policy proposals, which included new restrictions on abortion.
Chris Christie blames Daniel Cameron's loss in Kentucky on Trump
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in an interview on CNN tonight that he thinks Republican Daniel Cameron lost the Kentucky governor's race because of his alliance with Trump.
"I mean, let’s face it, Donald Trump is political and electoral poison down ballot," said Christie, who's running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. He also pointed out that dozens of candidates whom Trump endorsed in the last midterm elections lost their competitive races.
Trump-backed candidates lost in four crucial Senate races: Herschel Walker in Georgia, Blake Masters in Arizona, Adam Laxalt in Nevada and Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania.
"Daniel Cameron made a huge mistake by embracing Donald Trump and selling his soul to him," he said. "That’s what he did."
He said Kentucky voters, in a very red state, gave their verdict on politicians "who sell their souls to Donald Trump."
Houston mayor’s race goes to runoff between Democrats John Whitmire and Sheila Jackson Lee
The battle to be the next mayor of Houston is headed to a runoff next month, NBC News projects, pitting Democratic state Sen. John Whitmire against Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee after neither candidate received a majority in the all-party primary.
Virginia elects first openly transgender state senator
Virginia Democratic Del. Danica Roem is projected to win her election to the Virginia state Senate, according to an Associated Press race call. Roem will become the state’s first openly transgender state senator.
Roem defeated the Youngkin-endorsed Bill Woolf, a former Fairfax County police officer.