US mid-term polls: Democrat Joe Manchin wins in West Virginia Senate race

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-democrats-scent-victory-over-trumps-republicans-in-congress-175944">US midterms: Democrats scent victory over Trump's Republicans in Congress</a>

Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-snatch-first-congress-seats-from-republicans-in-us-midterms-175929">Democrats snatch first Congress seats from Republicans in US midterms</a>

Democrats seized their first two Republican-held seats of the US midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping House seats in Virginia and Florida seen as crucial to the opposition party's effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-exempts-indian-backed-chabahar-port-in-iran-from-sanctions-175922">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-exempts-indian-backed-chabahar-port-in-iran-from-sanctions-175922"> exempts Indian-backed Chabahar port in Iran from sanctions</a>

The United States said Tuesday it would exempt Iran's Indian-backed port of Chabahar from new sanctions on Tehran, recognizing the value of the project to Afghanistan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vice-president-mike-pences-brother-greg-elected-to-us-congress-175932">Vice-President Mike Pence's older brother Greg elected to US Congress</a>

Greg Pence, the older brother of US Vice President Mike Pence, won a seat in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday soon after polls began closing in the midterm elections. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/metoo-brexit-environment-inspire-new-dictionary-entries-175923">Metoo</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/metoo-brexit-environment-inspire-new-dictionary-entries-175923">, Brexit are now in the dictionary, 'single-use' is </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/metoo-brexit-environment-inspire-new-dictionary-entries-175923">word</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/metoo-brexit-environment-inspire-new-dictionary-entries-175923"> of the year</a>

"Single-use" was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in usage since 2013 in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability.

US midterms: Democrats scent victory over Trump's Republicans in Congress Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump.

US midterms: Democrats scent victory over Trump's Republicans in Congress Democrats began to scent a big night in the US midterm elections Tuesday with early results pointing to them seizing the House of Representatives from the Republicans in what would be a dramatic rebuke to President Donald Trump. Democrats snatch first Congress seats from Republicans in US midterms Democrats seized their first two Republican-held seats of the US midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping House seats in Virginia and Florida seen as crucial to the opposition party's effort to regain a majority in the chamber. US exempts Indian-backed Chabahar port in Iran from sanctions The United States said Tuesday it would exempt Iran's Indian-backed port of Chabahar from new sanctions on Tehran, recognizing the value of the project to Afghanistan. Vice-President Mike Pence's older brother Greg elected to US Congress Greg Pence, the older brother of US Vice President Mike Pence, won a seat in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday soon after polls began closing in the midterm elections. Metoo, Brexit are now in the dictionary, 'single-use' is word of the year "Single-use" was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in usage since 2013 in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority.

About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.8 percent at 25,829.66, gaining speed after the open.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 advanced 0.9 percent to 2,781.46, and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.0 percent to 7,451.92.

With a handful of races still too close to call, Democrats were on track to capture some 30-35 House seats, taking control and providing a check on Trump's policies.&nbsp;

But Republicans appeared likely to win three to five Senate seats and solidify their control of the upper house following Tuesday night's vote.

Analysts said the market's gains reflected relief that an event viewed as a source of uncertainty had finally passed.

A Democratic sweep of Congress would have been seen as a threat to Trump's agenda and providing momentum to calls for an impeachment investigation, while a Republican sweep would have bolstered the odds for additional tax cuts that could have worsened the US fiscal outlook, analysts said.

Goldman Sachs said the election would yield no major changes on taxes or trade, while an infrastructure deal "seems unlikely."&nbsp;

But Goldman said the Democratic win in the House opens the door to potential passage of legislation to limit drug prices, an objective Trump has also emphasized at times.

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority.

Wall Street stocks rose early Wednesday after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in key midterm elections even as President Donald Trump's Republican party increased its Senate majority. About 20 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.8 percent at 25,829.66, gaining speed after the open. The broad-based S&P 500 advanced 0.9 percent to 2,781.46, and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1.0 percent to 7,451.92. With a handful of races still too close to call, Democrats were on track to capture some 30-35 House seats, taking control and providing a check on Trump's policies. But Republicans appeared likely to win three to five Senate seats and solidify their control of the upper house following Tuesday night's vote. Analysts said the market's gains reflected relief that an event viewed as a source of uncertainty had finally passed. A Democratic sweep of Congress would have been seen as a threat to Trump's agenda and providing momentum to calls for an impeachment investigation, while a Republican sweep would have bolstered the odds for additional tax cuts that could have worsened the US fiscal outlook, analysts said. Goldman Sachs said the election would yield no major changes on taxes or trade, while an infrastructure deal "seems unlikely." But Goldman said the Democratic win in the House opens the door to potential passage of legislation to limit drug prices, an objective Trump has also emphasized at times.

US stocks jump at the open after midterm results

US mid-term polls: Democrats pick up one house seat

Now that the Democrats have won control of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives, they need to choose a leader and that means solving one of their toughest puzzles: Nancy Pelosi.

A contest among the Democrats for the House's top job of speaker will play out over the next 10 weeks or so, with the formidable 78-year-old San Francisco liberal at the center.

Pelosi has been clear that she wants to be speaker of the House again. She made history from 2007 to 2011 as the first woman speaker, a powerful position second in the line of emergency presidential succession after the vice president.

During the congressional campaigns that just ended, dozens of Democratic House candidates called for new leadership, registering indirect dissatisfaction with Pelosi, who has become a punching bag for Republicans. But not all the Democrats urging new leadership won election to the House.

With some races still undecided, Democrats were headed for a gain of more than 30 seats, beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years. Their first order of business as the House majority will be to decide whether to put the speaker's gavel back in Pelosi's hands, or not.

"Leader Pelosi is very confident about her support in the caucus and among our members-elect," said Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi.

Currently minority leader, Pelosi is expected to discuss her plans to run for speaker at a news conference on Wednesday.

At a victory celebration in Washington on Tuesday, Pelosi said a Democratic House "will work for solutions that bring us together because we have all had enough of division.”

She was flanked by No. 2 House Democrat Steny Hoyer and No. 3 House Democrat James Clyburn in a sign that the three could aim to lead the chamber in the new Congress that convenes in early January.

For 16 years, Pelosi has steered the House Democrats, first as minority leader, then speaker, then minority leader again after the 2011 Republican takeover of the chamber. Her path back to the top job is clear.

First, she must capture a majority of Democrats in a behind-closed-doors Nov. 28 party leadership election. No certain rival to Pelosi has emerged but there are possible challengers.

Two years ago, in the internal party race for minority leader, 63 Democrats voted for Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, but Pelosi received 134 votes.

On Sunday, Ryan was asked on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program if he would challenge Pelosi.

"There are a number of candidates that are having conversations that are talking about running," he said. "I will say it's not going to be a coronation. Somebody is going to run for leadership."

"The American people want a change. I think the Democrats want a change. So we're going to have that discussion starting on Wednesday. ... I want to be a part of that discussion."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-democrat-pelosi-deserves-to-be-house-speaker-176098">Trump says Democrat Pelosi 'deserves' to be House speaker</a>

Clyburn won't challenge

Clyburn, a 13-term congressman from South Carolina, has told reporters that he will not challenge Pelosi directly but will run for speaker if she does not have enough votes.

Many Democrats have said the No. 2 House Democrat, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, is also waiting in the wings.

Still, at ages 78 and 79, respectively, neither Clyburn nor Hoyer represents the kind of "new blood" that some younger Democrats seek.

A handful of more junior lawmakers are in the frame, as well. One is Louisiana's Cedric Richmond, 45, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, which recently sent a letter to lawmakers saying that if there is a leadership change, it wanted one of the top two Democratic leadership spots, a Democratic aide said. Clyburn is also a caucus member.

Ben Ray Lujan, 46, New Mexico is the current chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which coordinates House Democrats' election efforts.

Two others sometimes tagged as potential party leaders are Hakeem Jeffries, 48, a New Yorker who is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Cheri Bustos, 57, from a northwestern Illinois district that President Donald Trump won in 2016.

If Pelosi prevails at the party level, she would become the Democrats' candidate for speaker in a public roll call vote in early January by all 435 House members from both parties.

The winner of a majority of the votes cast gets the gavel. That means the candidate of the party with the most House seats wins, as long as party members stick together.

The current House speaker is Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who is retiring from Congress.

Now that the Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives, they need to choose a leader and that means solving one of their toughest puzzles: Nancy Pelosi.

Now that the Democrats have won control of the US House of Representatives, they need to choose a leader and that means solving one of their toughest puzzles: Nancy Pelosi. A contest among the Democrats for the House's top job of speaker will play out over the next 10 weeks or so, with the formidable 78-year-old San Francisco liberal at the center. Pelosi has been clear that she wants to be speaker of the House again. She made history from 2007 to 2011 as the first woman speaker, a powerful position second in the line of emergency presidential succession after the vice president. During the congressional campaigns that just ended, dozens of Democratic House candidates called for new leadership, registering indirect dissatisfaction with Pelosi, who has become a punching bag for Republicans. But not all the Democrats urging new leadership won election to the House. With some races still undecided, Democrats were headed for a gain of more than 30 seats, beyond the 23 they needed to claim their first majority in the 435-member House in eight years. Their first order of business as the House majority will be to decide whether to put the speaker's gavel back in Pelosi's hands, or not. "Leader Pelosi is very confident about her support in the caucus and among our members-elect," said Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi. Currently minority leader, Pelosi is expected to discuss her plans to run for speaker at a news conference on Wednesday. At a victory celebration in Washington on Tuesday, Pelosi said a Democratic House "will work for solutions that bring us together because we have all had enough of division.” She was flanked by No. 2 House Democrat Steny Hoyer and No. 3 House Democrat James Clyburn in a sign that the three could aim to lead the chamber in the new Congress that convenes in early January. For 16 years, Pelosi has steered the House Democrats, first as minority leader, then speaker, then minority leader again after the 2011 Republican takeover of the chamber. Her path back to the top job is clear. First, she must capture a majority of Democrats in a behind-closed-doors Nov. 28 party leadership election. No certain rival to Pelosi has emerged but there are possible challengers. Two years ago, in the internal party race for minority leader, 63 Democrats voted for Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, but Pelosi received 134 votes. On Sunday, Ryan was asked on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" program if he would challenge Pelosi. "There are a number of candidates that are having conversations that are talking about running," he said. "I will say it's not going to be a coronation. Somebody is going to run for leadership." "The American people want a change. I think the Democrats want a change. So we're going to have that discussion starting on Wednesday. ... I want to be a part of that discussion." Also read: Trump says Democrat Pelosi 'deserves' to be House speaker Clyburn won't challenge Clyburn, a 13-term congressman from South Carolina, has told reporters that he will not challenge Pelosi directly but will run for speaker if she does not have enough votes. Many Democrats have said the No. 2 House Democrat, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, is also waiting in the wings. Still, at ages 78 and 79, respectively, neither Clyburn nor Hoyer represents the kind of "new blood" that some younger Democrats seek. A handful of more junior lawmakers are in the frame, as well. One is Louisiana's Cedric Richmond, 45, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, which recently sent a letter to lawmakers saying that if there is a leadership change, it wanted one of the top two Democratic leadership spots, a Democratic aide said. Clyburn is also a caucus member. Ben Ray Lujan, 46, New Mexico is the current chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which coordinates House Democrats' election efforts. Two others sometimes tagged as potential party leaders are Hakeem Jeffries, 48, a New Yorker who is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Cheri Bustos, 57, from a northwestern Illinois district that President Donald Trump won in 2016. If Pelosi prevails at the party level, she would become the Democrats' candidate for speaker in a public roll call vote in early January by all 435 House members from both parties. The winner of a majority of the votes cast gets the gavel. That means the candidate of the party with the most House seats wins, as long as party members stick together. The current House speaker is Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who is retiring from Congress.

For Democrats, US House win moves Pelosi to center stage

US mid term-polls: 38% of US opposes Donald Trump, says exit polls results

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi, saying she ought to be US&nbsp;House Speaker, one day after Democrats won enough seats in the midterm congressional election to take control of Congress' lower chamber.

"In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor," Trump said in a post on Twitter. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi, saying she ought to be US House Speaker, one day after Democrats won enough seats in the midterm congressional election to take control of Congress' lower chamber.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threw his support behind top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi, saying she ought to be US House Speaker, one day after Democrats won enough seats in the midterm congressional election to take control of Congress' lower chamber. "In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor," Trump said in a post on Twitter.

Trump says Democrat Pelosi 'deserves' to be House speaker

Democrats seized their first two Republican-held seats of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/big-turnout-as-america-votes-in-test-of-trump-presidency-175921">US midterm elections</a> Tuesday, networks projected, flipping House seats in Virginia and Florida seen as crucial to the opposition party's effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

Jennifer Wexton, a Democratic state lawmaker, was ahead of two-term Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 percent to 43 percent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported.

In the second flip of the night, US networks called a former member of Bill Clinton's cabinet, Democrat Donna Shalala, as winner of a House seat in Florida, where she takes the place of Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is retiring.

Democrats must gain 21 more seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans.

In the Virginia race, Comstock had distanced herself from Trump in the run up to the election -- well aware of the frustrations that affluent suburban voters, in particular women, have had with the president. But it was not enough to hold on.

The early defeats could signal that Republicans are in for a long night, as the party is defending multiple seats in suburban districts that are deemed toss ups by the Cook Political Report.

Another election observer, the Center For Politics at the University of Virginia, is predicting Democrats will gain at least 30 seats on Tuesday.

Trump's party appears to be faring better in the US Senate, where they hold a slim 51-49 edge, as Democrats are seeking re-election in 10 states that Trump won in 2016. Five of those races are considered toss-ups.

Democrats seized their first two Republican-held seats of the US midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping House seats in Virginia and Florida seen as crucial to the opposition party's effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

Democrats seized their first two Republican-held seats of the US midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping House seats in Virginia and Florida seen as crucial to the opposition party's effort to regain a majority in the chamber. Jennifer Wexton, a Democratic state lawmaker, was ahead of two-term Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 percent to 43 percent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported. In the second flip of the night, US networks called a former member of Bill Clinton's cabinet, Democrat Donna Shalala, as winner of a House seat in Florida, where she takes the place of Republican Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is retiring. Democrats must gain 21 more seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans. In the Virginia race, Comstock had distanced herself from Trump in the run up to the election -- well aware of the frustrations that affluent suburban voters, in particular women, have had with the president. But it was not enough to hold on. The early defeats could signal that Republicans are in for a long night, as the party is defending multiple seats in suburban districts that are deemed toss ups by the Cook Political Report. Another election observer, the Center For Politics at the University of Virginia, is predicting Democrats will gain at least 30 seats on Tuesday. Trump's party appears to be faring better in the US Senate, where they hold a slim 51-49 edge, as Democrats are seeking re-election in 10 states that Trump won in 2016. Five of those races are considered toss-ups.

Democrats snatch first Congress seats from Republicans in US midterms

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day.

What is the midterm election?

President in the United States serves four-year term, the election in between is called a midterm election which is a race for the House of Representatives and the US Senate.&nbsp;

Midterm elections sometimes change the political landscape of US as there is always a lot at stake for the President. The party that may end up in control of Congress can make the President's life either a breeze or a nightmare during the last two years of his term.

Historically, the president's party almost always loses seats in both houses of Congress, the loss sometimes changes the party in control of the legislature which can have an effect on&nbsp;President Donald Trump's ability to pursue his agenda during the remaining years.

Right now Republicans hold the presidency and majority in both the houses-- House of Representatives and the Senate.

On Tuesday, all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states.

Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, whereas Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats.

Democrats need a gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so.

Now if Democrats retake either the House, they will be able to block policies they disagree with. For example, the massive Republican overhaul of the US tax system that passed late last year would not be possible, neither would any rollback of Obamacare.

Democrats would also be able to legislate their own policies. Though President has to sign off on bills for them to become law&nbsp;but&nbsp;there will be a chance that Democrats and President Trump could work together on some issues.

Winning control of the Congress will also give Democrats the power to launch an investigation into President Donald Trump and to subpoena documents and witnesses. In an extreme situation, they may also be able to impeach Trump.&nbsp;

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has also said in one of his recent address that if Democrats come into power they will try to impeach him by using Robert Mueller report as a blueprint.

What are the key issues in this year’s election?

Birth-right citizenship: Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters, announced recently that he would issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship for everyone born in the US in a bid to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens.&nbsp;

Referred as birthright citizenship in the US, it is ensured by the 14th amendment to the constitution which added after the Civil War with an intention to give constitutional protections to former slaves.

But some Republicans, including Trump, has been saying that it creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children.

Immigration: Just like it was in 2016, this time as well Immigration issue is a big driver for Republican voters.&nbsp; Recent sensationalism over caravans of migrants heading towards the Mexican-American border has also put this on a full display.

Gender Rights: Following Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Supreme Court Justice, despite the multiple sexual assault allegations against him,&nbsp; supporters of female rights have become increasingly worried about what the Court's new conservative majority means for their cause.&nbsp;

Healthcare: The Republican Party has been trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare -- since Trump took office. While they have not been able to fully accomplish this but there is a possibility that big wins in the midterms may seal the deal.

Tighter gun laws: Multiple surveys released since the Florida shootings, including one by Quinnipiac University, have found that about two-thirds of voters support tighter gun laws. From Florida to Republican-leaning Southern California, Democratic candidates are campaigning on gun control in the race critical for their takeover of Congress.

The Democrats in their campaign have also shown confidence that with growing public support for stricter gun measures, it will help them win votes in these states.

How this may affect the world politics

As the country is divided into pro-Trump and anti-Trump, the results will likely change the way how President Trump is perceived by other world leaders. The winning for Republicans would give the impression that President Trump still has a firm grip on his country, making the President and his "America First" agenda look reaffirmed on the world stage. After which Trump can work more forcefully for the changes on how the US deals with the European Union and NATO allies. He also might challenge the Chinese more forcefully on economic trade issues or territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day.

US voters are just few days away from casting the ballot in the mid-term elections which are often seen as a referendum on the president and his policies. The results of these elections decide how much more or less power the President will have in Washington by the end of the election day. What is the midterm election? President in the United States serves four-year term, the election in between is called a midterm election which is a race for the House of Representatives and the US Senate. Midterm elections sometimes change the political landscape of US as there is always a lot at stake for the President. The party that may end up in control of Congress can make the President's life either a breeze or a nightmare during the last two years of his term. Historically, the president's party almost always loses seats in both houses of Congress, the loss sometimes changes the party in control of the legislature which can have an effect on President Donald Trump's ability to pursue his agenda during the remaining years. Right now Republicans hold the presidency and majority in both the houses-- House of Representatives and the Senate. On Tuesday, all 435 seats in the House are up for grabs while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states. Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, whereas Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats. Democrats need a gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so. Now if Democrats retake either the House, they will be able to block policies they disagree with. For example, the massive Republican overhaul of the US tax system that passed late last year would not be possible, neither would any rollback of Obamacare. Democrats would also be able to legislate their own policies. Though President has to sign off on bills for them to become law but there will be a chance that Democrats and President Trump could work together on some issues. Winning control of the Congress will also give Democrats the power to launch an investigation into President Donald Trump and to subpoena documents and witnesses. In an extreme situation, they may also be able to impeach Trump. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has also said in one of his recent address that if Democrats come into power they will try to impeach him by using Robert Mueller report as a blueprint. What are the key issues in this year’s election? Birth-right citizenship: Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters, announced recently that he would issue an executive order to end birthright citizenship for everyone born in the US in a bid to prevent babies born to undocumented immigrants from being automatically American citizens. Referred as birthright citizenship in the US, it is ensured by the 14th amendment to the constitution which added after the Civil War with an intention to give constitutional protections to former slaves. But some Republicans, including Trump, has been saying that it creates an incentive for people to enter the country illegally to have children. Immigration: Just like it was in 2016, this time as well Immigration issue is a big driver for Republican voters. Recent sensationalism over caravans of migrants heading towards the Mexican-American border has also put this on a full display. Gender Rights: Following Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation as Supreme Court Justice, despite the multiple sexual assault allegations against him, supporters of female rights have become increasingly worried about what the Court's new conservative majority means for their cause. Healthcare: The Republican Party has been trying to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare -- since Trump took office. While they have not been able to fully accomplish this but there is a possibility that big wins in the midterms may seal the deal. Tighter gun laws: Multiple surveys released since the Florida shootings, including one by Quinnipiac University, have found that about two-thirds of voters support tighter gun laws. From Florida to Republican-leaning Southern California, Democratic candidates are campaigning on gun control in the race critical for their takeover of Congress. The Democrats in their campaign have also shown confidence that with growing public support for stricter gun measures, it will help them win votes in these states. How this may affect the world politics As the country is divided into pro-Trump and anti-Trump, the results will likely change the way how President Trump is perceived by other world leaders. The winning for Republicans would give the impression that President Trump still has a firm grip on his country, making the President and his "America First" agenda look reaffirmed on the world stage. After which Trump can work more forcefully for the changes on how the US deals with the European Union and NATO allies. He also might challenge the Chinese more forcefully on economic trade issues or territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Explainer: The US midterm polls; how they work and what is at stake

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/control-of-congress-and-verdict-on-trump-at-stake-in-us-elections-175905">US House seat</a> in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

With nearly two thirds of ballots counted, Democratic state lawmaker Jennifer Wexton was ahead of Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 per cent to 43 per cent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported.

Democrats must gain 23 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Vermont's<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vermonts-bernie-sanders-cruises-to-3rd-senate-term-175924"> Bernie Sanders </a>has cruised to re-election for his third term in the Senate, easily outpacing eight candidates.

Sanders, the independent who has long been one of the state's most popular politicians, spent little time campaigning ahead of the election.

Sanders has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the state's lone seat in the House in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a US House seat in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber.

Democrats claimed their first pick-up of the midterm elections Tuesday, networks projected, flipping a US House seat in Virginia seen as crucial to their effort to regain a majority in the chamber. With nearly two thirds of ballots counted, Democratic state lawmaker Jennifer Wexton was ahead of Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock by 57 per cent to 43 per cent in their suburban northern Virginia district that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, NBC reported. Democrats must gain 23 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, which is currently led by President Donald Trump's Republicans. Meanwhile, Vermont's Bernie Sanders has cruised to re-election for his third term in the Senate, easily outpacing eight candidates. Sanders, the independent who has long been one of the state's most popular politicians, spent little time campaigning ahead of the election. Sanders has faced few serious opponents since he was first elected to the state's lone seat in the House in 1990. He moved up to the Senate in 2006.

Democrats get first House pick-up of midterms: US networks

US midterm polls: Republicans pick up 3 seats in the Senate; many still outstanding

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-faces-of-the-campaign-175817"> immigration</a> and other cultural issues, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/americans-start-voting-in-midterm-verdict-on-donald-trump-rule-175848">Americans began casting votes</a> early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US&nbsp;Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box.

“Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election.

All 435 seats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives, 35 US&nbsp;Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way.

Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration.

Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US&nbsp;Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes.

But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida.

Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race.

In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico.

Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.”

Voter turnout could be the highest for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">midterm election</a> in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes.

Fears of immigrants

During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US&nbsp;border.

A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals.

Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season.

“I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.”

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends.

Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens.

But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character.

“How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency.

After a divisive campaign marked by fierce clashes over race, immigration and other cultural issues, Americans began casting votes early on Tuesday to determine the balance of power in the US Congress and shape the future of Donald Trump’s presidency. The first national elections since Trump captured the White House in a stunning 2016 upset will be a referendum on the polarizing Republican president and his hardline policies, and a test of whether Democrats can turn the energy of the liberal anti-Trump resistance into victories at the ballot box. “Everything we have achieved is at stake tomorrow,” Trump told supporters on Monday night in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at one of three rallies he held to stoke turnout on the last day before the election. All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 35 US Senate seats and 36 governorships are up for grabs on Tuesday in elections focused on dozens of competitive races from coast to coast that opinion polls show could go either way. Democrats are favoured by election forecasters to pick up the minimum of 23 House seats they need for a majority, which would enable them to stymie Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate his administration. Republicans are expected to retain their slight majority in the US Senate, currently at two seats, which would let them retain the power to approve US Supreme Court and other judicial nominations on straight party-line votes. But at least 64 House races remain competitive, according to a Reuters analysis of the three top nonpartisan forecasters, and Senate control was expected to come down to a half dozen close contests in Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana and Florida. Democrats also threaten to recapture governor’s offices in several battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio, a potential help for the party in those states in the 2020 presidential race. In a last-minute controversy, NBC, Fox News and Facebook on Monday pulled an ad by Trump’s campaign that critics have labelled racist. The 30-second spot featured courtroom video of an illegal immigrant from Mexico convicted in the 2014 killings of two police officers, juxtaposed with scenes of migrants headed through Mexico. Critics, including members of Trump’s own party, have condemned the commercial as racially divisive. CNN already had refused to run the ad, saying it was “racist.” Voter turnout could be the highest for a midterm election in 50 years, experts predicted. About 40 million early votes were likely cast, said Michael McDonald, a professor at the University of Florida who tracks the figures. In the last such congressional elections in 2014, there were 27.5 million early votes. Fears of immigrants During a whirlwind six-day blitz to wrap up the campaign, Trump repeatedly raised fears about immigrants, issuing harsh warnings about a caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border. A debate about whether Trump’s biting rhetoric encouraged extremists erupted in the campaign’s final weeks after pipe bombs were mailed to his top political rivals allegedly by a Trump supporter who was arrested and charged, and 11 people were fatally shot at a Pittsburgh synagogue. But on the eve of the election, the president said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcasting that he wished he had a softer tone during his first two years in office - even as he continued his relentless attacks on political rivals. Trump blamed the political vitriol on election season. “I’d love to get along and I think after the election a lot of things can happen,” Trump said. “But right now they’re in their mode and we’re in our mode.” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump planned to spend Election Day making phone calls and monitoring the races from the White House. In the evening, he will watch election results with family and friends. Many Democratic candidates in tight races shied away from harsh criticism of Trump, focusing instead on bread-and-butter issues like maintaining insurance protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions and safeguarding the Social Security retirement and Medicare healthcare programs for senior citizens. But Democratic former President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail in the election’s final days to challenge Trump, questioning his policies and character. “How we conduct ourselves in public life is on the ballot,” Obama told Democratic volunteers in suburban Virginia who were working for Senator Tim Kaine and House candidate Jennifer Wexton, who is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Comstock.

Control of Congress and verdict on Trump at stake as US votes in midterm polls

The United States is geared up to vote in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/what-matters-most-voters-sound-off-on-us-midterm-elections-175132">upcoming midterm elections</a>. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states. Speaking of the US Senate, 36 out of 100 senators will fight it out this midterm. US Senator from California and the only Indian-American in the Senate, Kamala Harris, has her seat secured this time but has been going big on campaigning for the Democrats.

Rise of Harris

Harris’ campaign strategy and fundraising activities for the Democrats this year have made her increasingly popular, to an extent that she is now being seen as one of the strongest Democrat contenders for the 2020 Presidential polls.

Born on October 20, 1964, in California, Kamala Devi Harris’ journey to the United States Senate has been nothing short of inspiring. Harris’ mother migrated to the States from Madras, India while her father is a Jamaican. Her parents met as activists during the civil rights movement. The African-American cause and the immigration policy have been close to Harris’ agenda.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">Also read:&nbsp;US midterm polls, how they work and what is at stake</a>

Kamala eyes 2020?

Last month Harris headed to South Carolina, a move that fanned her prospects as a possible 2020 contender. The majority of South Carolina primary Democratic electorate is African American. South Carolina has proven critical in Democratic politics; the state played a pivotal role in propelling both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to the 2008 and 2016 presidential nominations, respectively.

In South Carolina, Harris acknowledged the importance of black voters for Democratic politics, at the same time she carefully phrased her message to a wider audience.&nbsp;

"Leaders should be able to see all of the people who we represent and see them equally," she told reporters, later adding regardless of race or geography, "some of the issues are the same issues, because frankly the values are the same, and the challenges are the same for families, especially working families," news agency Associated Press quoted Harris.

On Trump's immigration policy

Harris' take on Trump's immigration policy has been quite critical, during her first town hall earlier this year, she launched a scathing attack on Trump administration's move to separate children from parents at the border calling it an "immoral" act.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Yesterday I got a tour of an immigration detention facility and visited with the mothers separated from their children. And my heart is broken. These mothers personal stories demonstrate a human rights abuse committed by the United States government. We have to keep fighting. <a href="https://t.co/Oto6oE2xAG">pic.twitter.com/Oto6oE2xAG</a>
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1010609190002483200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come to testify on this inhumane policy," Harris tweeted out in May.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come testify on this inhumane policy.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1000413219499008003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Harris and US Midterm 2018

California's junior senator will not put up a fight for re-election this term, but that hasn't stopped her from campaigning for the Democrats across America.&nbsp;

US media has reported Harris to have raised close to $5 million to help elect Democrats this midterm, adding more sheen to the prospects of her Presidential candidacy.&nbsp;

Former US Vice President Joe Biden has also put his buck on Harris, last month he predicted that the Democrats would win the 40 seats in the House of Representatives, giving them "a slightly better than even" chance of taking the US Senate.

He added that a number of potential Democrats, including Kamala Harris, are seeking nominations and are capable of pursuing "a much more enlightened foreign policy than the President."

"I predict to you the Democrats will win 40 seats in the house. And I predict to you, there is a slightly better than even chance that we win the Senate. I really do think we will win the Senate," Biden was quoted by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Electrifying as Obama?&nbsp;

The US media described Harris' recent Iowa visit as electrifying, stating that the enthusiasm on her arrival in the state had Obama-like energy. Iowa has recently witnessed a flurry of potential 2020 candidates pass through the state. Despite speculations on her 2020 candidature, Harris has remained tight-lipped on the same with no official comment.&nbsp;

Undeniably, Harris has emerged as a prominent Democrat voice on all major issues that rocked the United States this year. Her term as a US Senator will only come to end in 2022 before which she might eye&nbsp;another feat -- the 2020 Presidential run.

The United States is geared up to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states.

The United States is geared up to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. While the House of Representatives has all 435 seats at stake, voters will elect a new governor in 36 states. Speaking of the US Senate, 36 out of 100 senators will fight it out this midterm. US Senator from California and the only Indian-American in the Senate, Kamala Harris, has her seat secured this time but has been going big on campaigning for the Democrats. Rise of Harris Harris’ campaign strategy and fundraising activities for the Democrats this year have made her increasingly popular, to an extent that she is now being seen as one of the strongest Democrat contenders for the 2020 Presidential polls. Born on October 20, 1964, in California, Kamala Devi Harris’ journey to the United States Senate has been nothing short of inspiring. Harris’ mother migrated to the States from Madras, India while her father is a Jamaican. Her parents met as activists during the civil rights movement. The African-American cause and the immigration policy have been close to Harris’ agenda. Also read: US midterm polls, how they work and what is at stake Kamala eyes 2020? Last month Harris headed to South Carolina, a move that fanned her prospects as a possible 2020 contender. The majority of South Carolina primary Democratic electorate is African American. South Carolina has proven critical in Democratic politics; the state played a pivotal role in propelling both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to the 2008 and 2016 presidential nominations, respectively. In South Carolina, Harris acknowledged the importance of black voters for Democratic politics, at the same time she carefully phrased her message to a wider audience. "Leaders should be able to see all of the people who we represent and see them equally," she told reporters, later adding regardless of race or geography, "some of the issues are the same issues, because frankly the values are the same, and the challenges are the same for families, especially working families," news agency Associated Press quoted Harris. On Trump's immigration policy Harris' take on Trump's immigration policy has been quite critical, during her first town hall earlier this year, she launched a scathing attack on Trump administration's move to separate children from parents at the border calling it an "immoral" act. Yesterday I got a tour of an immigration detention facility and visited with the mothers separated from their children. And my heart is broken. These mothers personal stories demonstrate a human rights abuse committed by the United States government. We have to keep fighting. pic.twitter.com/Oto6oE2xAG — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 23, 2018 × "This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come to testify on this inhumane policy," Harris tweeted out in May. This Administration's immigration policies are outrageous, cruel, and inhumane. Proactively working to break up immigrant families is putting these kids' lives in danger. We need to put a stop to this. Members of the Administration should come testify on this inhumane policy. — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) May 26, 2018 × Harris and US Midterm 2018 California's junior senator will not put up a fight for re-election this term, but that hasn't stopped her from campaigning for the Democrats across America. US media has reported Harris to have raised close to $5 million to help elect Democrats this midterm, adding more sheen to the prospects of her Presidential candidacy. Former US Vice President Joe Biden has also put his buck on Harris, last month he predicted that the Democrats would win the 40 seats in the House of Representatives, giving them "a slightly better than even" chance of taking the US Senate. He added that a number of potential Democrats, including Kamala Harris, are seeking nominations and are capable of pursuing "a much more enlightened foreign policy than the President." "I predict to you the Democrats will win 40 seats in the house. And I predict to you, there is a slightly better than even chance that we win the Senate. I really do think we will win the Senate," Biden was quoted by news agency Reuters. Electrifying as Obama? The US media described Harris' recent Iowa visit as electrifying, stating that the enthusiasm on her arrival in the state had Obama-like energy. Iowa has recently witnessed a flurry of potential 2020 candidates pass through the state. Despite speculations on her 2020 candidature, Harris has remained tight-lipped on the same with no official comment. Undeniably, Harris has emerged as a prominent Democrat voice on all major issues that rocked the United States this year. Her term as a US Senator will only come to end in 2022 before which she might eye another feat -- the 2020 Presidential run.

Kamala Harris: America's only Indian-American Senator bolsters Democrats' midterm prospects, eyes 2020 ticket

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12.

The broad-based S&amp;P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92.

Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate.

Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it."

"The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants."

Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent.

General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency.

Wall Street stocks were modestly higher early Tuesday as the United States headed to the polls for congressional elections seen as a referendum on Donald Trump's presidency. About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.3 per cent at 25,526.12. The broad-based S&P 500 gained 0.4 per cent to 2,748.58, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 0.8 per cent to 7,363.92. Polls are showing that Tuesday's election is most likely to yield a Democratic win in the House of Representatives and a Republican victory in the Senate. Tuesday's session "will prove to be a great, big guessing game with respect to the results and the stock market's response to those results," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "Accordingly, don't be surprised if today's action has a seesaw feel to it." "The polls might be suggesting one thing or another, yet the experience of the Brexit vote and the 2016 presidential election has diluted the value of polling data for many participants." Companies reporting earnings were mixed, with Booking Holding gaining 6.8 per cent and CVS Health winning 2.0 per cent but Eli Lilly shedding 2.4 per cent. General Electric climbed 1.5 per cent after announcing it had sold its Current business to American Industrial Partners, a private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The assets include technology for energy efficiency at commercial and municipal facilities.

US stocks rise as midterm vote gets underway

For many Americans, Tuesday's congressional midterm elections are a referendum on Republican President Donald Trump’s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-us-channels-drop-trump-campaign-ad-deemed-to-be-racist-175725">divisive persona, hard-line policies and pugnacious politics</a>.

But on the eve of the election, in a packed airport hangar in Cleveland and at other Trump rallies across the nation, the stakes are different: a vote to protect a leader they see as under siege, whose inflammatory rhetoric is a necessary price for a norm-shattering era of change.

"You think we're letting that caravan come into this country?" Trump asked the crowd on Monday, referring to a group of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US&nbsp;border.

"No!" his supporters shouted.

At rallies overflowing with red-hatted, mostly white supporters in conservative pockets of the country, those backing Trump say they hope to make his ideas the dominant force in American political life for decades to come.

They face strong headwinds. Nationally, about 52 per cent of Americans disapprove of Trump's performance. More people say they would vote for a Democratic candidate than a Republican in Tuesday's congressional elections, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows.

But pro-Trump Republicans are eager to defy expectations, just as the president did with his 2016 victory.

In Grand Rapids, Michigan, pro-Trump activist Ben Hirschmann, 23, sees Tuesday's elections as decisive for Trump’s vision of America.

“Trump’s not on the ballot, but he is on the ballot," he said at a phone-bank event to get out the vote at the local Republican headquarters. "Everything we voted for in 2016 is on the line in 2018.”

'NOW WE'RE LIVING GOOD'

Trump embarked on a three-state tour in the Midwest on Monday, holding rallies in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri.

He has a clear strategy: drive Republican turnout by painting a dark, apocalyptic vision of life in America under Democrats, while fanning fears over illegal immigration. He casts his rivals as an angry, liberal and dangerous "mob" and plays up gains in the economy.

"Democrats produce mobs. Republicans produce jobs," Trump said in Cleveland, repeating a familiar line from his rallies.

But as the frequency of his speeches and rallies increases, so too have his distortions and falsehoods, according to the Washington Post's "Fact Checker" database. In the seven weeks before Tuesday's elections, Trump averaged 30 false or misleading claims a day, up from an average of five a day during his first nine months in office.

Trump frequently denies that he misleads the public and instead blames the media for what he describes as distortions of his words.

It is unclear whether Trump's campaign strategy will work.

Republicans are expected to keep control of the Senate. But Democrats are widely favoured to win the 23 seats they need to assume control of the House of Representatives. The Republican Party is defending dozens of seats in largely suburban districts where Trump’s popularity has languished and Democrats have performed well in presidential races.

Trump's rallies have focussed mostly on Senate and gubernatorial battles in states he won in the 2016 White House race – from Florida and Missouri to West Virginia and Ohio. A Trump adviser, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters: “These are places where data and polling information tells us that the president is of best use.”

At a rally in Johnson City, Tennessee, in early October, Jessica Lotz, 33, and her fiance, Chad Lavery, 49, said Trump’s immigration policies resonated with them. During the 2008 economic downturn, Lotz and Lavery said they saw construction, landscaping and house-painting jobs go to illegal immigrants while they struggled financially.

As the economy rebounded, so, too, did their fortunes.

“Now we're living good,” Lavery said, crediting their ability to find work and better wages to Trump, who inherited an economy that was already in one of its longest recoveries and gave it an additional boost with tax cuts.

'FRUSTRATED'

After a Trump rally in September in Springfield, Missouri, pro-Trump activist Brenda Webb, 64, sat for a late dinner at a restaurant with five friends who had driven to the rally from the St. Louis suburbs.

Webb and her friends had joined protests against Democratic then-President Barack Obama in St. Louis in 2009 that were part of a broader conservative“Tea Party” movement centred on calls for smaller government, lower taxes and fewer regulations.

But the energy fizzled, she said. The group became animated talking about how Trump had given new focus to those early Tea Party goals of reclaiming government for ordinary citizens, not just the "elites" in Washington.

“We feel like he's working to resolve all the problems that we are so frustrated by,” Webb said.

At the Springfield rally, Brian Whorton, who drove a few hours to see the president, said he voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 before becoming a Republican. "I was not politically aware and awake. I thought, 'Oh he's cool and he's a good speaker and an African-American guy,'" said Whorton, who is white.

Trump’s policies, he said, were making a difference for him: He said his manager at an aluminium electrical wire factory had credited Trump tariffs with raising their profits.

"He is putting people back to work," said retired postal worker Barbara Peacock, 58, as she leafed through Trump 2020 re-election merchandise at his rally in Macon, Georgia, on Sunday. "He is telling it like it is."

In Ohio, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Mandi Merritt referred to pro-Trump enthusiasts as a “grassroots army” that could be harnessed and dispatched to boost Republican voter turnout.

On a sunny day in October, Trump supporter Kimmy Kolkovich, 46, joined a friend on the sidewalk at a busy intersection near the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to urge people to register and vote.

“Even if I’m registering people who are going to vote for the other party, they’re seeing us out here in our hats, and that’s what’s important, all the little interactions and conversations we’re having,” Kolkovich said.

For many Americans, Tuesday's congressional midterm elections are a referendum on Republican President Donald Trump’s divisive persona, hard-line policies and pugnacious politics.

For many Americans, Tuesday's congressional midterm elections are a referendum on Republican President Donald Trump’s divisive persona, hard-line policies and pugnacious politics. But on the eve of the election, in a packed airport hangar in Cleveland and at other Trump rallies across the nation, the stakes are different: a vote to protect a leader they see as under siege, whose inflammatory rhetoric is a necessary price for a norm-shattering era of change. "You think we're letting that caravan come into this country?" Trump asked the crowd on Monday, referring to a group of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the US border. "No!" his supporters shouted. At rallies overflowing with red-hatted, mostly white supporters in conservative pockets of the country, those backing Trump say they hope to make his ideas the dominant force in American political life for decades to come. They face strong headwinds. Nationally, about 52 per cent of Americans disapprove of Trump's performance. More people say they would vote for a Democratic candidate than a Republican in Tuesday's congressional elections, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows. But pro-Trump Republicans are eager to defy expectations, just as the president did with his 2016 victory. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, pro-Trump activist Ben Hirschmann, 23, sees Tuesday's elections as decisive for Trump’s vision of America. “Trump’s not on the ballot, but he is on the ballot," he said at a phone-bank event to get out the vote at the local Republican headquarters. "Everything we voted for in 2016 is on the line in 2018.” 'NOW WE'RE LIVING GOOD' Trump embarked on a three-state tour in the Midwest on Monday, holding rallies in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri. He has a clear strategy: drive Republican turnout by painting a dark, apocalyptic vision of life in America under Democrats, while fanning fears over illegal immigration. He casts his rivals as an angry, liberal and dangerous "mob" and plays up gains in the economy. "Democrats produce mobs. Republicans produce jobs," Trump said in Cleveland, repeating a familiar line from his rallies. But as the frequency of his speeches and rallies increases, so too have his distortions and falsehoods, according to the Washington Post's "Fact Checker" database. In the seven weeks before Tuesday's elections, Trump averaged 30 false or misleading claims a day, up from an average of five a day during his first nine months in office. Trump frequently denies that he misleads the public and instead blames the media for what he describes as distortions of his words. It is unclear whether Trump's campaign strategy will work. Republicans are expected to keep control of the Senate. But Democrats are widely favoured to win the 23 seats they need to assume control of the House of Representatives. The Republican Party is defending dozens of seats in largely suburban districts where Trump’s popularity has languished and Democrats have performed well in presidential races. Trump's rallies have focussed mostly on Senate and gubernatorial battles in states he won in the 2016 White House race – from Florida and Missouri to West Virginia and Ohio. A Trump adviser, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters: “These are places where data and polling information tells us that the president is of best use.” At a rally in Johnson City, Tennessee, in early October, Jessica Lotz, 33, and her fiance, Chad Lavery, 49, said Trump’s immigration policies resonated with them. During the 2008 economic downturn, Lotz and Lavery said they saw construction, landscaping and house-painting jobs go to illegal immigrants while they struggled financially. As the economy rebounded, so, too, did their fortunes. “Now we're living good,” Lavery said, crediting their ability to find work and better wages to Trump, who inherited an economy that was already in one of its longest recoveries and gave it an additional boost with tax cuts. 'FRUSTRATED' After a Trump rally in September in Springfield, Missouri, pro-Trump activist Brenda Webb, 64, sat for a late dinner at a restaurant with five friends who had driven to the rally from the St. Louis suburbs. Webb and her friends had joined protests against Democratic then-President Barack Obama in St. Louis in 2009 that were part of a broader conservative“Tea Party” movement centred on calls for smaller government, lower taxes and fewer regulations. But the energy fizzled, she said. The group became animated talking about how Trump had given new focus to those early Tea Party goals of reclaiming government for ordinary citizens, not just the "elites" in Washington. “We feel like he's working to resolve all the problems that we are so frustrated by,” Webb said. At the Springfield rally, Brian Whorton, who drove a few hours to see the president, said he voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 before becoming a Republican. "I was not politically aware and awake. I thought, 'Oh he's cool and he's a good speaker and an African-American guy,'" said Whorton, who is white. Trump’s policies, he said, were making a difference for him: He said his manager at an aluminium electrical wire factory had credited Trump tariffs with raising their profits. "He is putting people back to work," said retired postal worker Barbara Peacock, 58, as she leafed through Trump 2020 re-election merchandise at his rally in Macon, Georgia, on Sunday. "He is telling it like it is." In Ohio, Republican National Committee spokeswoman Mandi Merritt referred to pro-Trump enthusiasts as a “grassroots army” that could be harnessed and dispatched to boost Republican voter turnout. On a sunny day in October, Trump supporter Kimmy Kolkovich, 46, joined a friend on the sidewalk at a busy intersection near the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to urge people to register and vote. “Even if I’m registering people who are going to vote for the other party, they’re seeing us out here in our hats, and that’s what’s important, all the little interactions and conversations we’re having,” Kolkovich said.

US midterms: For Trump supporters, elections a battle to protect leader under siege

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left

Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress.

With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race.

Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family.

Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart

Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality.&nbsp;

A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas.&nbsp;

His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond.

Stacey Abrams &amp; Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers

Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States.

She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point.

Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president.

Martha McSally &amp; Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women

The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states.

With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate.

Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station.

Ron DeSantis &amp; Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists

Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis.

In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again."&nbsp;

With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. &nbsp;

Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker

Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly.

On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan.

Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate

When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP.&nbsp;

But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge.

Despite President Donald Trump's overwhelming presence, the US midterm election -- driven by unprecedented Democratic enthusiasm, record numbers of women candidates and intense debate over presidential style and policies -- has seen charismatic personalities emerge. Among the 470 US House of Representatives and Senate races and dozens of governors' campaigns being decided Tuesday, here are 10 candidates to watch: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hope of liberal left Arriving in 2018 like a thunderclap on the US political scene, and sporting a captivating introductory campaign ad, this 29-year-old Hispanic-American could become the youngest lawmaker in Congress. With a decidedly leftwing platform -- Medicare for all, tuition-free public college, and support for impeaching Trump -- the former waitress and educator who worked for Bernie Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign is likely to win her House race. Her working-class New York district straddles neighbourhoods in Queens and the Bronx, where she was born and raised in a modest family. Beto O'Rourke, ex-punk and Democrat stalwart Sleeves rolled up, sweaty and delivering passionate campaign rhetoric: Beto O'Rourke rocketed onto the national political stage in August with his robust defense of the rights of black American football players to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality. A "Beto" narrative quickly grew around this 46-year-old former punk musician, a Democratic congressman since 2013 who is trying to dethrone Senator Ted Cruz in deeply Republican Texas. His current challenge is enormous, but Beto is already being discussed by some as a potential presidential candidate in 2020 or beyond. Stacey Abrams & Andrew Gillum, black trailblazers Whether they win or not, Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams will enter the history books. Gillum, 39, is the first African-American nominee for governor in Florida, while Abrams, 44, is the first black female nominee for governor anywhere in the United States. She is running in Georgia, a southern state still deeply marked by racial segregation. The latest polls have her trailing Republican Brian Kemp by a single point. Gillum, mayor of Florida's capital city Tallahassee, has taken a small lead over his pro-Trump opponent Ron DeSantis, and is facing fiery criticism from the president. Martha McSally & Kyrsten Sinema, pioneer women The first woman in the US military ever to pilot a jet fighter in combat, Martha McSally, 52, has proudly "taken the fight to the enemy, and the establishment," a campaign ad states. With a determined bearing, this Trump-supported Republican congresswoman is aiming to become the first woman ever to represent Arizona in the US Senate. Battling to claim that historic title is another woman 10 years her junior, Democratic congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema. The first openly bisexual Senate candidate lived during her teen years without running water or electricity in an abandoned gas station. Ron DeSantis & Pete Stauber, avowed Trumpists Under Trump's ever-present shadow, Republican candidates have found a smaller spotlight. But many have shared the stage with the president in front of thousands of supporters at raucous campaign rallies, including Florida's Republican candidate for governor Ron DeSantis. In a humorous viral campaign ad, DeSantis, 40, encourages his infant son, clad in a pro-Trump onesie, to repeat "Make America Great Again." With less braggadocio, Pete Stauber of Minnesota could become one of the few Republicans to snatch a House seat from Democrats this year. Affable and poised, this 52-year-old policeman and popular former hockey player highlights the nation's economic successes under Trump. Ilhan Omar, from refugee to lawmaker Ilhan Omar seems to have lived several lives. At age eight she and her family fled Somalia's civil war. As a refugee in America, a teenage Omar arrived in the big city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has risen to become a Democratic member of the state assembly. On Tuesday she is likely to win a seat in the US House where, at age 36, she will become one of the first two Muslim women elected to the lower chamber in Washington. The other is Rashida Tlaib, a 42-year-old Palestinian-American who is running unopposed in a Democratic stronghold in Michigan. Christine Hallquist, transgender candidate When she speaks to voters in her state of Vermont, Christine Hallquist's sexual identity is rarely an issue, the Democratic candidate for governor told AFP. But she could nevertheless make history. If she beats incumbent Phil Scott, a relatively popular Republican who has distanced himself from Trump, Hallquist will become the first transgender governor of a US state.

US midterm polls 2018: Key faces of the campaign

In pictures: America goes to polls to decide if it is for or against Trump

Donald Trump and his Democratic rivals made frenzied, final pushes to motivate their core voters Sunday ahead of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-us-midterm-polls-how-they-work-and-what-is-at-stakes-175277">contentious midterm elections</a> seen as a referendum on the president's divisive first two years in office.

Both sides say voter turnout will be key.&nbsp;

Trump was on a hectic schedule of campaign appearances for Republican candidates 48 hours before Americans deliver their verdict at the ballot box, while former president Barack Obama made a last-ditch appeal for an endangered Senate Democrat in Indiana.&nbsp;

"You gotta get to the polls on Tuesday, and you gotta vote," Trump implored a crowd in Macon, Georgia, where he campaigned Sunday for the Republican candidate for governor in one of the country's tightest major races.

"The contrast in this election could not be more clear."

Political passions have risen to a rare peak, with early voting in some states already running far ahead of normal levels.

"It's all about turnout," Senator Chris Van Hollen told "Fox News Sunday," as Democrats wage what polls say is an uphill battle to win control of the US Senate.

Democrats are far better positioned for reclaiming a majority in the House, experts and polls say.

But in the first midterm under Trump -- an utterly unconventional president -- there are many unknowns, above all the bottom-line impact of a president who has driven both supporters and foes to a rare fever pitch of emotion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"I can't speak to the blue, but I can speak to the red," Trump said earlier of Democrats and Republicans. "There is a lot of energy out there."

Democrats out front&nbsp;

The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in his first midterm. But a healthy economy favors the incumbent -- and the US economy has been growing with rare vigor.

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll released Sunday suggested that while Democrats retain an edge in their battle for the House, Republicans could profit from increasingly positive assessments of the economy and by Trump's harsh focus on border security.

It found registered voters preferred Democratic candidates for the House over Republicans by 50 percent to 43 percent; but that was down from a 14-point advantage in August.

A second poll, by NBC and The Wall Street Journal, also showed Democrats holding the same seven-point advantage over Republicans.

But in what could be a sharp warning sign for Republicans, that poll reported college-educated white women -- the so-called suburban moms seen as crucial to the 2018 outcome -- favor Democrats by a substantial 61 percent to 33 percent.

Another wild card: The campaign's closing days come just a week after a gunman, who allegedly hated immigrants and Jews, killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

A fanatical Trump supporter was also arrested on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent opponents of the president, including Obama.

The president's critics say the highly charged atmosphere he has helped create made the two attackers feel sufficiently comfortable to carry out their crimes

Republicans, trying to move past that, have been enthusiastically pressing the economic argument.&nbsp;

But the president -- to the unease of some in the party -- has instead used his nearly nonstop schedule of campaign rallies to keep the spotlight on what he calls the security threat from migrants seeking to enter the nation through Mexico.

"We're not letting these people invade our country," Trump declared.

'Kinder' America?&nbsp;

Democrats meantime painted sharp distinctions with Trump, insisting that only they will protect the health care gains made under Obama, that Trump has employed inhumane measures to keep migrants out, and that the divisiveness he has fostered must end.

And while Obama said Democrats would support a "kinder version of America," he did what many Democratic candidates have refrained from doing: directly challenging the president.

"There's got to be consequences when people don't tell the truth, when words stop meaning anything. When people can just lie with abandon, democracy can't work," he told a cheering crowd as he campaigned for Senator Joe Donnelly.

"The only check right now on the behavior of these Republicans is you and your vote."

Democrats face their toughest political map in decades in the Senate, which Republicans currently control 51-49. It is more favorable in the House, where Democrats need to gain 23 seats to take control of the 435-seat chamber.

Election analysts at website FiveThirtyEight.com put the likelihood of Democrats winning the House at 85 percent.

One key barometer of a midterm's direction is the presidential approval rating, and in Trump's case it is underwater, worsening in the last week to 54 percent disapproval versus 40 percent approval, according to public opinion pollster Gallup.

The two parties are also battling over dozens of governor's races, including tight high-profile contests in Georgia and Florida, where two Democrats are seeking to make history as the first African-Americans to lead those states

Donald Trump and his Democratic rivals made frenzied, final pushes to motivate their core voters Sunday ahead of contentious midterm elections seen as a referendum on the president's divisive first two years in office.

Donald Trump and his Democratic rivals made frenzied, final pushes to motivate their core voters Sunday ahead of contentious midterm elections seen as a referendum on the president's divisive first two years in office. Both sides say voter turnout will be key. Trump was on a hectic schedule of campaign appearances for Republican candidates 48 hours before Americans deliver their verdict at the ballot box, while former president Barack Obama made a last-ditch appeal for an endangered Senate Democrat in Indiana. "You gotta get to the polls on Tuesday, and you gotta vote," Trump implored a crowd in Macon, Georgia, where he campaigned Sunday for the Republican candidate for governor in one of the country's tightest major races. "The contrast in this election could not be more clear." Political passions have risen to a rare peak, with early voting in some states already running far ahead of normal levels. "It's all about turnout," Senator Chris Van Hollen told "Fox News Sunday," as Democrats wage what polls say is an uphill battle to win control of the US Senate. Democrats are far better positioned for reclaiming a majority in the House, experts and polls say. But in the first midterm under Trump -- an utterly unconventional president -- there are many unknowns, above all the bottom-line impact of a president who has driven both supporters and foes to a rare fever pitch of emotion. "I can't speak to the blue, but I can speak to the red," Trump said earlier of Democrats and Republicans. "There is a lot of energy out there." Democrats out front The party of a first-term president tends to lose congressional seats in his first midterm. But a healthy economy favors the incumbent -- and the US economy has been growing with rare vigor. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll released Sunday suggested that while Democrats retain an edge in their battle for the House, Republicans could profit from increasingly positive assessments of the economy and by Trump's harsh focus on border security. It found registered voters preferred Democratic candidates for the House over Republicans by 50 percent to 43 percent; but that was down from a 14-point advantage in August. A second poll, by NBC and The Wall Street Journal, also showed Democrats holding the same seven-point advantage over Republicans. But in what could be a sharp warning sign for Republicans, that poll reported college-educated white women -- the so-called suburban moms seen as crucial to the 2018 outcome -- favor Democrats by a substantial 61 percent to 33 percent. Another wild card: The campaign's closing days come just a week after a gunman, who allegedly hated immigrants and Jews, killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue. A fanatical Trump supporter was also arrested on charges of mailing pipe bombs to prominent opponents of the president, including Obama. The president's critics say the highly charged atmosphere he has helped create made the two attackers feel sufficiently comfortable to carry out their crimes Republicans, trying to move past that, have been enthusiastically pressing the economic argument. But the president -- to the unease of some in the party -- has instead used his nearly nonstop schedule of campaign rallies to keep the spotlight on what he calls the security threat from migrants seeking to enter the nation through Mexico. "We're not letting these people invade our country," Trump declared. 'Kinder' America? Democrats meantime painted sharp distinctions with Trump, insisting that only they will protect the health care gains made under Obama, that Trump has employed inhumane measures to keep migrants out, and that the divisiveness he has fostered must end. And while Obama said Democrats would support a "kinder version of America," he did what many Democratic candidates have refrained from doing: directly challenging the president. "There's got to be consequences when people don't tell the truth, when words stop meaning anything. When people can just lie with abandon, democracy can't work," he told a cheering crowd as he campaigned for Senator Joe Donnelly. "The only check right now on the behavior of these Republicans is you and your vote." Democrats face their toughest political map in decades in the Senate, which Republicans currently control 51-49. It is more favorable in the House, where Democrats need to gain 23 seats to take control of the 435-seat chamber. Election analysts at website FiveThirtyEight.com put the likelihood of Democrats winning the House at 85 percent. One key barometer of a midterm's direction is the presidential approval rating, and in Trump's case it is underwater, worsening in the last week to 54 percent disapproval versus 40 percent approval, according to public opinion pollster Gallup. The two parties are also battling over dozens of governor's races, including tight high-profile contests in Georgia and Florida, where two Democrats are seeking to make history as the first African-Americans to lead those states

'You gotta get to the polls on Tuesday, and you gotta vote,' Trump says before US midterm elections

Bob Menendez, 64, has held the seat<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-believe-in-fact-based-campaigning-and-reality-based-governance-obamas-dig-at-trump-175652"> for more than a decade as a powerful force</a> in Washington, while representing a state that has not sent a Republican to the US Senate in 46 years.

But June's Democratic nominating contest exposed his potential weakness: a virtually unknown challenger who spent zero dollars in the race got almost 40 per cent of the vote.

He is now locked in a tough and expensive race with former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin, a Republican who has hammered Menendez as weak on ethics after the long-serving senator's federal corruption trial last year.

New Jersey's other Democratic US senator, Cory Booker, seen as a potential 2020 White House contender, spent Sunday crisscrossing the state alongside Menendez, telling voters that re-electing his colleague would help block Republican President Donald Trump's agenda.

The contest is crucial to the Democrats' slim hopes of taking control of the Senate, which depend on winning two Republican-held seats while defending 10 Senate seats in states that Trump won in 2016.

A loss in New Jersey, a Democratic bastion in the US Northeast, could be a fatal blow to those hopes.

Democrats remain favourites to win the 23 seats they need to capture the US House of Representatives.

Menendez's corruption trial ended in November 2017 when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.

US prosecutors then dropped the case, but Menendez was censured by a Senate committee for accepting gifts from a wealthy longtime friend in exchange for official favours.

Hugin, a US Marine Corps veteran and the former executive chairman of Celgene Corp, has poured $36 million of his own money into his campaign, airing a barrage of television commercials attacking Menendez.

"If there were any other normal candidate who was not self-funding, I think Menendez would be ahead by 20 points," said Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. "Money matters."

The Cook Political Report, an independent group that analyzes congressional races, moved the race to "toss-up" from "leans Democrat" 10 days ago.

Menendez in recent years has been a high-profile Democratic voice in foreign policy, weighing in on sensitive subjects from nuclear talks with Iran to US relations with Cuba as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC has spent more than $7.5 million to boost Menendez, including running ads in the waning days of the campaign, a signal the party is concerned about the incumbent's position.

Another super PAC, Patients for Affordable Drugs Action, has spent nearly $3.5 million to attack Hugin, saying he kept cancer drug prices artificially high.

Bob Menendez, 64, has held the seat for more than a decade as a powerful force in Washington, while representing a state that has not sent a Republican to the US Senate in 46 years.

Bob Menendez, 64, has held the seat for more than a decade as a powerful force in Washington, while representing a state that has not sent a Republican to the US Senate in 46 years. But June's Democratic nominating contest exposed his potential weakness: a virtually unknown challenger who spent zero dollars in the race got almost 40 per cent of the vote. He is now locked in a tough and expensive race with former pharmaceutical executive Bob Hugin, a Republican who has hammered Menendez as weak on ethics after the long-serving senator's federal corruption trial last year. New Jersey's other Democratic US senator, Cory Booker, seen as a potential 2020 White House contender, spent Sunday crisscrossing the state alongside Menendez, telling voters that re-electing his colleague would help block Republican President Donald Trump's agenda. The contest is crucial to the Democrats' slim hopes of taking control of the Senate, which depend on winning two Republican-held seats while defending 10 Senate seats in states that Trump won in 2016. A loss in New Jersey, a Democratic bastion in the US Northeast, could be a fatal blow to those hopes. Democrats remain favourites to win the 23 seats they need to capture the US House of Representatives. Menendez's corruption trial ended in November 2017 when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. US prosecutors then dropped the case, but Menendez was censured by a Senate committee for accepting gifts from a wealthy longtime friend in exchange for official favours. Hugin, a US Marine Corps veteran and the former executive chairman of Celgene Corp, has poured $36 million of his own money into his campaign, airing a barrage of television commercials attacking Menendez. "If there were any other normal candidate who was not self-funding, I think Menendez would be ahead by 20 points," said Brigid Harrison, a political science professor at Montclair State University. "Money matters." The Cook Political Report, an independent group that analyzes congressional races, moved the race to "toss-up" from "leans Democrat" 10 days ago. Menendez in recent years has been a high-profile Democratic voice in foreign policy, weighing in on sensitive subjects from nuclear talks with Iran to US relations with Cuba as the senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC has spent more than $7.5 million to boost Menendez, including running ads in the waning days of the campaign, a signal the party is concerned about the incumbent's position. Another super PAC, Patients for Affordable Drugs Action, has spent nearly $3.5 million to attack Hugin, saying he kept cancer drug prices artificially high.

Midterm elections: US Senate poll in New Jersey crucial for Democrats

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.

A court-ordered overhaul of Pennsylvania voting districts and stubbornly low approval ratings for Trump in the state have placed Democrats within striking distance of claiming at least half of Pennsylvania's 18 congressional seats in a test of the party's ability to win back working-class voters.

Republicans are scrambling.

Take Republican incumbent Keith Rothfus. He won the election in 2012 in Pennsylvania's current 12th district outside Pittsburgh, which includes some staunch Republican strongholds. The 56-year-old attorney was reelected twice by constituents who favoured Trump by over 20 percentage points in 2016.

But redistricting has forced Rothfus into a new 17th district, where only 36 per cent of voters are Republicans and nearly half are Democrats.

Opinion polls now show Rothfus trailing moderate Democrat Conor Lamb, a 34-year-old former Marine who gained political stardom by winning a special House election in a solidly Republican district last spring. Lamb has support from more than half of likely voters.

The change in Democratic fortunes increases the party's hopes of making the net gain of 23 seats it needs to control the House and stall much of Trump's agenda. Republicans are favoured to hold the Senate.

"Pennsylvania is going to be the bellwether. It is ground zero if you're looking at who's going to control the House," said Mike DeVanney, a Pittsburgh-based Republican strategist.

MORE SEATS IN PLAY

Democrats, who currently hold six of Pennsylvania's House seats, could win at least nine, according to the University of Virginia Center for Politics, which tracks House and Senate races.

"Anything more than that probably would reflect an outcome in which Democrats won significantly more than the 23 net seats they need," said Center analyst Kyle Kondik.

All told, at least seven House Republican seats once considered safe are now in play as a result of the redrawn map in Pennsylvania.

"We were having elections that did not have two candidates running in them in many of these districts. That doesn't give people a real choice," Lamb told Reuters in an interview. "A citizen deserves to have a competitive election."

Rothfus, who was not available for an interview, has campaigned largely on economic issues, a position that won him an endorsement on Friday from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"The healthy economy we're seeing is a result of a combination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the deregulation of small businesses," Rothfus said last month on Twitter. "That's what is putting hard-working Americans to work, and that's what is putting more money in their pockets."

Republicans and Democrats have both tried to use district lines to maximize their power.

The last redistricting wave began eight years ago when the conservative Tea Party movement, driven by opposition to Democratic former President Barack Obama, gave Republicans control of the U.S. House and 10 new governorships.

The dynamics underlying this year's House races in Pennsylvania, including anger among Democratic and independent voters over Trump, could give Democrats a shot at exceeding their state sweep in 2006, which was a banner year nationally for the party.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the state's new district map earlier this year in a ruling that later survived a Republican challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Under the new map, two Republican-held House seats outside Philadelphia where Republican incumbents are stepping down are seen as likely Democratic or safe Democratic wins, according to a Reuters analysis of a trio of political forecasting groups: Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

A third Republican seat with a retiring incumbent, near the eastern city of Allentown, is rated as leaning Democratic.

Meanwhile, Trump's political style looks to be becoming a liability.

A Franklin &amp; Marshall College survey of likely Pennsylvania voters conducted Oct. 22-28 found that 52 per cent preferred Democratic House candidates. Two out of three viewed that choice as a vote against Trump, who has a 36 per cent approval rate in the state.

At least three other House Republican incumbents - Mike Kelly, Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick - are in tight reelection battles.

Democrat George Scott needs Republican support to defeat Perry in a district including the state capital, Harrisburg. On Thursday, he was able to showcase Republican backing by appearing with about a dozen Republicans, including a former state senator, a former state representative and a staffer to a former Republican governor. Several said Perry had become too partisan in Washington, where he joined the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Perry, whose campaign declined an interview request, has defended membership in that group.

"It is not a right-wing organization. We take anybody that comes," Perry said in a debate last month, according to local media.

The critics expressed concern over Perry's votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act - Obama's signature health care program - and its insurance protections for people with preexisting medical conditions.

Former state Representative Steve Nickol told Reuters that he supported Perry during his first run for Congress but was dismayed to see him become "radically partisan" in Washington.

"I've talked to even some elected (Republican) officials who are kind of upset with the way things are and feel that Scott (Perry) is a little too extreme in some of his positions," Nickol said.

"They're not about to come out and endorse George, even though they've told me in private that they'll vote for him."

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.

Donald Trump's stunning 2016 White House win got a major boost from sagging Democratic enthusiasm in Pennsylvania, but now the party is poised for big wins on Tuesday in congressional races in the state that could signal which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. A court-ordered overhaul of Pennsylvania voting districts and stubbornly low approval ratings for Trump in the state have placed Democrats within striking distance of claiming at least half of Pennsylvania's 18 congressional seats in a test of the party's ability to win back working-class voters. Republicans are scrambling. Take Republican incumbent Keith Rothfus. He won the election in 2012 in Pennsylvania's current 12th district outside Pittsburgh, which includes some staunch Republican strongholds. The 56-year-old attorney was reelected twice by constituents who favoured Trump by over 20 percentage points in 2016. But redistricting has forced Rothfus into a new 17th district, where only 36 per cent of voters are Republicans and nearly half are Democrats. Opinion polls now show Rothfus trailing moderate Democrat Conor Lamb, a 34-year-old former Marine who gained political stardom by winning a special House election in a solidly Republican district last spring. Lamb has support from more than half of likely voters. The change in Democratic fortunes increases the party's hopes of making the net gain of 23 seats it needs to control the House and stall much of Trump's agenda. Republicans are favoured to hold the Senate. "Pennsylvania is going to be the bellwether. It is ground zero if you're looking at who's going to control the House," said Mike DeVanney, a Pittsburgh-based Republican strategist. MORE SEATS IN PLAY Democrats, who currently hold six of Pennsylvania's House seats, could win at least nine, according to the University of Virginia Center for Politics, which tracks House and Senate races. "Anything more than that probably would reflect an outcome in which Democrats won significantly more than the 23 net seats they need," said Center analyst Kyle Kondik. All told, at least seven House Republican seats once considered safe are now in play as a result of the redrawn map in Pennsylvania. "We were having elections that did not have two candidates running in them in many of these districts. That doesn't give people a real choice," Lamb told Reuters in an interview. "A citizen deserves to have a competitive election." Rothfus, who was not available for an interview, has campaigned largely on economic issues, a position that won him an endorsement on Friday from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The healthy economy we're seeing is a result of a combination of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the deregulation of small businesses," Rothfus said last month on Twitter. "That's what is putting hard-working Americans to work, and that's what is putting more money in their pockets." Republicans and Democrats have both tried to use district lines to maximize their power. The last redistricting wave began eight years ago when the conservative Tea Party movement, driven by opposition to Democratic former President Barack Obama, gave Republicans control of the U.S. House and 10 new governorships. The dynamics underlying this year's House races in Pennsylvania, including anger among Democratic and independent voters over Trump, could give Democrats a shot at exceeding their state sweep in 2006, which was a banner year nationally for the party. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered the state's new district map earlier this year in a ruling that later survived a Republican challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court. Under the new map, two Republican-held House seats outside Philadelphia where Republican incumbents are stepping down are seen as likely Democratic or safe Democratic wins, according to a Reuters analysis of a trio of political forecasting groups: Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. A third Republican seat with a retiring incumbent, near the eastern city of Allentown, is rated as leaning Democratic. Meanwhile, Trump's political style looks to be becoming a liability. A Franklin & Marshall College survey of likely Pennsylvania voters conducted Oct. 22-28 found that 52 per cent preferred Democratic House candidates. Two out of three viewed that choice as a vote against Trump, who has a 36 per cent approval rate in the state. At least three other House Republican incumbents - Mike Kelly, Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick - are in tight reelection battles. Democrat George Scott needs Republican support to defeat Perry in a district including the state capital, Harrisburg. On Thursday, he was able to showcase Republican backing by appearing with about a dozen Republicans, including a former state senator, a former state representative and a staffer to a former Republican governor. Several said Perry had become too partisan in Washington, where he joined the hardline conservative House Freedom Caucus. Perry, whose campaign declined an interview request, has defended membership in that group. "It is not a right-wing organization. We take anybody that comes," Perry said in a debate last month, according to local media. The critics expressed concern over Perry's votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act - Obama's signature health care program - and its insurance protections for people with preexisting medical conditions. Former state Representative Steve Nickol told Reuters that he supported Perry during his first run for Congress but was dismayed to see him become "radically partisan" in Washington. "I've talked to even some elected (Republican) officials who are kind of upset with the way things are and feel that Scott (Perry) is a little too extreme in some of his positions," Nickol said. "They're not about to come out and endorse George, even though they've told me in private that they'll vote for him."

Democrats' road to controlling US House runs through Pennsylvania

US congressional candidates hammered into the homestretch of a bruising campaign season on Saturday, with Democrats focused on protecting a 2010 healthcare law while President Donald Trump touted economic growth and sounded dire warnings on immigration.

Control of both houses of the US Congress, currently dominated by Republicans, and 36 governors' offices will be at stake when Americans vote in Tuesday's elections. Interest has been unusually high for a non-presidential election year, with early voting running well ahead of past cycles.

Opinion polls and nonpartisan forecasters generally show Democrats with a strong chance of taking the 23 additional seats they would need for a majority in the House of Representatives, which they could use to launch investigations into Trump's administration and block his legislative agenda.

Republicans are favoured to retain control of the Senate, whose powers include confirming Trump's nominations to lifetime seats on the Supreme Court.

Trump was due to campaign with Senate candidates in Montana and Florida, on the fourth day of an 11-rally tour largely focused on states he carried in 2016, where Republican challengers are trying to unseat Democratic incumbents.

"Heading to Montana and Florida today! Everyone is excited about the Jobs Numbers - 250,000 new jobs in October. Also, wages rising. Wow!" Trump said on Twitter early Saturday.

The Labor Department on Friday reported sharply better-than-expected job creation in October, with the unemployment rate steady at a 49-year low of 3.7 per cent and wages notching their best annual gain in almost a decade.

Republicans in many competitive suburban districts have tried to focus their campaign messages on the robust economic growth, though in his campaign appearances Trump has also focused on his hard-line immigration stance as he looks to stem the illegal and legal flow of people into the United States.

Congressional candidates campaigned in a whirlwind close across the country: in Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton greeted voters in the Manassas Veterans Day parade; in New Jersey Republican Jay Webber met them in a diner, and in Minnesota Republican Pete Stauber went door to door urging people to vote.

EARLY VOTING UP SHARPLY

As of Friday night, almost 32.4 million people had cast ballots early, according to The Election Project at the University of Florida, which tracks turnout. That is up more than 50 per cent from the 20.5 million early votes cast in all of 2014, the last federal election when the White House was not at stake.

Trump on Friday appeared in West Virginia with Patrick Morrisey, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. That marked his third campaign appearance in that state.

His Saturday visit to Belgrade, Montana, to pump up the campaign of Matt Rosendale, the Republican state auditor challenging Democratic US Senator Jon Tester, will be his fourth to Montana.

Some analysts said the president's repeated visits to states that he won in 2016 were a signal Republicans were worried about keeping control of Congress.

"It's not a good sign for Republicans if they have to spend all these resources for a seat they shouldn't have to be fighting for," said Simon Haeder, a professor of political science at West Virginia University, in a phone interview. "That should be a solid Republican seat."

In Florida, Trump is due to campaign for Governor Rick Scott, who is trying to unseat Democratic US Senator Bill Nelson, and US Representative Ron DeSantis, who is running for governor against Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, on Friday campaigned with the Florida Democrats, telling voters that only his party would defend the 2010 healthcare law that was his signature domestic achievement.

The still-energetic but visibly graying 57-year-old former president also warned against the politics of fear and criticized dishonesty in campaigning - comments directed at Trump, though Obama did not name him.

"We all - we all try to put a positive spin on things. But what we have not seen, the way we're seeing right now, is politicians just blatantly, repeatedly, baldly ... shamelessly lie," Obama said. "Just making stuff up. That's what they're doing right now, all the time."

US congressional candidates hammered into the homestretch of a bruising campaign season on Saturday, with Democrats focused on protecting a 2010 healthcare law while President Donald Trump touted economic growth and sounded dire warnings on immigration.

US congressional candidates hammered into the homestretch of a bruising campaign season on Saturday, with Democrats focused on protecting a 2010 healthcare law while President Donald Trump touted economic growth and sounded dire warnings on immigration. Control of both houses of the US Congress, currently dominated by Republicans, and 36 governors' offices will be at stake when Americans vote in Tuesday's elections. Interest has been unusually high for a non-presidential election year, with early voting running well ahead of past cycles. Opinion polls and nonpartisan forecasters generally show Democrats with a strong chance of taking the 23 additional seats they would need for a majority in the House of Representatives, which they could use to launch investigations into Trump's administration and block his legislative agenda. Republicans are favoured to retain control of the Senate, whose powers include confirming Trump's nominations to lifetime seats on the Supreme Court. Trump was due to campaign with Senate candidates in Montana and Florida, on the fourth day of an 11-rally tour largely focused on states he carried in 2016, where Republican challengers are trying to unseat Democratic incumbents. "Heading to Montana and Florida today! Everyone is excited about the Jobs Numbers - 250,000 new jobs in October. Also, wages rising. Wow!" Trump said on Twitter early Saturday. The Labor Department on Friday reported sharply better-than-expected job creation in October, with the unemployment rate steady at a 49-year low of 3.7 per cent and wages notching their best annual gain in almost a decade. Republicans in many competitive suburban districts have tried to focus their campaign messages on the robust economic growth, though in his campaign appearances Trump has also focused on his hard-line immigration stance as he looks to stem the illegal and legal flow of people into the United States. Congressional candidates campaigned in a whirlwind close across the country: in Virginia, Democrat Jennifer Wexton greeted voters in the Manassas Veterans Day parade; in New Jersey Republican Jay Webber met them in a diner, and in Minnesota Republican Pete Stauber went door to door urging people to vote. EARLY VOTING UP SHARPLY As of Friday night, almost 32.4 million people had cast ballots early, according to The Election Project at the University of Florida, which tracks turnout. That is up more than 50 per cent from the 20.5 million early votes cast in all of 2014, the last federal election when the White House was not at stake. Trump on Friday appeared in West Virginia with Patrick Morrisey, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Senator Joe Manchin. That marked his third campaign appearance in that state. His Saturday visit to Belgrade, Montana, to pump up the campaign of Matt Rosendale, the Republican state auditor challenging Democratic US Senator Jon Tester, will be his fourth to Montana. Some analysts said the president's repeated visits to states that he won in 2016 were a signal Republicans were worried about keeping control of Congress. "It's not a good sign for Republicans if they have to spend all these resources for a seat they shouldn't have to be fighting for," said Simon Haeder, a professor of political science at West Virginia University, in a phone interview. "That should be a solid Republican seat." In Florida, Trump is due to campaign for Governor Rick Scott, who is trying to unseat Democratic US Senator Bill Nelson, and US Representative Ron DeSantis, who is running for governor against Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Trump's Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, on Friday campaigned with the Florida Democrats, telling voters that only his party would defend the 2010 healthcare law that was his signature domestic achievement. The still-energetic but visibly graying 57-year-old former president also warned against the politics of fear and criticized dishonesty in campaigning - comments directed at Trump, though Obama did not name him. "We all - we all try to put a positive spin on things. But what we have not seen, the way we're seeing right now, is politicians just blatantly, repeatedly, baldly ... shamelessly lie," Obama said. "Just making stuff up. That's what they're doing right now, all the time."

US campaigns in high gear three days before congressional elections

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate.

President Donald Trump is ratcheting up the rhetoric and campaigning furiously as he seeks to hold on to the Republican majorities in the two chambers of Congress.

All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs on Tuesday while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states.

Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, where Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats.

Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so.

"Democrats will carry the House," Pelosi said on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," while also forecasting victory in the Senate.

Political forecasting outlet FiveThirtyEight.com gives Democrats a 6 in 7, or 85 per cent, chance of gaining control of the House but only a 1 in 7, or 15 per cent, chance of winning the Senate.

As election day approaches and with turnout a major factor, Trump has sought to drive Republicans to the polls and rekindle the enthusiasm of his 2016 upset presidential bid.

"I'm not on the ticket, but I am on the ticket because this is also a referendum about me," he said at a rally last month in Mississippi. "Pretend I'm on the ballot."

Anti-immigration rhetoric

Trump has scheduled 10 campaign rallies over the next five days in eight states -- Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Trump has dialed up the rhetoric on immigration, issuing dire warnings about caravans of Central American migrants heading to the US southern border.

Claiming the caravans include "very bad thugs and gang members," Trump has ordered 5,000 active-duty troops to the border and said he is considering sending up to 15,000.

Trump also posted a political ad on his Twitter account on Wednesday which shows a Mexican man boasting about killing police officers and includes the caption "Democrats let him into the country."

Democrats accused the president of seeking to inflame his supporters with racist anti-immigration appeals.

"This is fear mongering," Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told CNN. "This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long."

Control of the Senate will come down to a handful of races, in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, according to political analysts.

Tight Senate races

In Arizona, two women -- Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Representative Martha McSally, a former air force fighter pilot -- are battling to replace Senator Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. 538.com currently gives Sinema a slight edge.

In Florida, incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is involved in a tough reelection battle with Republican governor Rick Scott. 538.com has Nelson with a small lead.

In Missouri, 538.com gives incumbent Democratic Senator Clare McCaskill a 3-in-5 chance of holding off a stiff challenge from 38-year-old state attorney general Josh Hawley.

In other closely watched races, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota is trailing in most polls and incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada is locked in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen.

In reliably Republican Texas, Senator Ted Cruz is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke but most polls give the edge to the Republican incumbent.

Two races for governor have drawn widespread attention.

In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the state House of Representatives, is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state.

And in Florida, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, is in a bitter battle with a Trump acolyte, Republican Representative Ron DeSantis.

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate.

As the US midterm election enters the final stretch, many races are too close to call but most polls have Democrats seizing control of the House of Representatives and Republicans clinging on to the Senate. President Donald Trump is ratcheting up the rhetoric and campaigning furiously as he seeks to hold on to the Republican majorities in the two chambers of Congress. All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs on Tuesday while 35 seats in the 100-member Senate are at stake. Americans will vote for governor in 36 states. Republicans have a slim 51-49 hold on the Senate, where Democrats have a tough hill to climb with 26 Democratic seats on the ballot and only nine Republican seats. Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats to take control of the House they lost in 2010 and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi boldly predicted this week they would do so. "Democrats will carry the House," Pelosi said on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," while also forecasting victory in the Senate. Political forecasting outlet FiveThirtyEight.com gives Democrats a 6 in 7, or 85 per cent, chance of gaining control of the House but only a 1 in 7, or 15 per cent, chance of winning the Senate. As election day approaches and with turnout a major factor, Trump has sought to drive Republicans to the polls and rekindle the enthusiasm of his 2016 upset presidential bid. "I'm not on the ticket, but I am on the ticket because this is also a referendum about me," he said at a rally last month in Mississippi. "Pretend I'm on the ballot." Anti-immigration rhetoric Trump has scheduled 10 campaign rallies over the next five days in eight states -- Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Trump has dialed up the rhetoric on immigration, issuing dire warnings about caravans of Central American migrants heading to the US southern border. Claiming the caravans include "very bad thugs and gang members," Trump has ordered 5,000 active-duty troops to the border and said he is considering sending up to 15,000. Trump also posted a political ad on his Twitter account on Wednesday which shows a Mexican man boasting about killing police officers and includes the caption "Democrats let him into the country." Democrats accused the president of seeking to inflame his supporters with racist anti-immigration appeals. "This is fear mongering," Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, told CNN. "This has been Donald Trump's playbook for so long." Control of the Senate will come down to a handful of races, in Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, according to political analysts. Tight Senate races In Arizona, two women -- Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Representative Martha McSally, a former air force fighter pilot -- are battling to replace Senator Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who is not running for reelection. 538.com currently gives Sinema a slight edge. In Florida, incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson is involved in a tough reelection battle with Republican governor Rick Scott. 538.com has Nelson with a small lead. In Missouri, 538.com gives incumbent Democratic Senator Clare McCaskill a 3-in-5 chance of holding off a stiff challenge from 38-year-old state attorney general Josh Hawley. In other closely watched races, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota is trailing in most polls and incumbent Republican Senator Dean Heller of Nevada is locked in a dead heat with Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen. In reliably Republican Texas, Senator Ted Cruz is facing a surprisingly competitive challenge from rising Democratic star Beto O'Rourke but most polls give the edge to the Republican incumbent. Two races for governor have drawn widespread attention. In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams, former minority leader in the state House of Representatives, is seeking to become the first black woman to become governor of a US state. And in Florida, the African-American mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, is in a bitter battle with a Trump acolyte, Republican Representative Ron DeSantis.

US midterm polls 2018: Democrats favoured to take House, Republicans to hold Senate

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US&nbsp;Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel.

The state's 8th District has become a rare bright spot on the map for congressional Republicans ahead of Tuesday's elections, made rosier thanks to the decision by three-term Democratic incumbent Rick Nolan not to run again after winning his last election in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point.

That has left Democrat Joe Radinovich trying to hold on to the region's miners and farmers.

Forecasts show Republican St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber with a good shot of flipping the district to the Republicans in a year Democrats are expected to easily pick up the additional 23 House of Representative seats they would need for a majority. Republicans, however, are favouredCHISHOLM to hold on to the Senate.

A former police officer, Stauber is running as a moderate Republican, focusing on promoting economic growth, supporting gun rights and expanding mining in the District's national parks. He has broken from his party to say he would not repeal the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare program, but praised Trump's tariffs.

"The steel dumping in this country should have been stopped decades ago. I'm happy the Trump administration has acted," Stauber, 52, said in a Tuesday night debate. "I know that those steel tariffs were good for the Iron Range and the families on the Iron Range."

A New York Times/Siena College poll taken October 11 to 14 showed Stauber ahead by 15 percentage points.

Iron range

Minnesota's Iron Range has all the making of "Trump Country" - a rugged, rural region studded with iron taconite mines that feed much of the nation's steel production. Highway billboards thank Trump for imposing 25 per cent tariffs on foreign steel.

Unhappy miners - including coal and iron ore workers - were a central piece of Trump's electoral coalition. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's promises to revitalize the metals industry helped pave the way for wins in the former industrial heartlands of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Trump failed to win Minnesota, but carried its 8th District by 15 percentage points - flipping a district that voted for Democrats in the four previous presidential election cycles.

Brandy Fraser, 70, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, said she has raised a Democrat but became a Republican after watching the party move to the left.

Fraser said she liked Stauber's support of Trump's immigration platform, including building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and ending birthright citizenship.

"He's going to help do it," Fraser said.

'Underdog'

Radinovich, 32, has raised $1.9 million, while Stauber had raised $1.6 million, as of Oct. 17. Super PACs and other outside groups have tipped the balance for the Republican, pouring in about $6 million, compared with about $670,000 by Democratic outside groups.

"They have spent enough money against me to make us the underdog in this race," Radinovich told supporters on Tuesday night. "This isn't the first time in my life I've been an underdog."

Democrat Hillary Clinton did strongly in parts of the Iron Range in 2016 and Radinovich aims to generate enough enthusiasm in those areas to keep the district Democratic.

On Wednesday, two of his supporters, Cary Pershern, 40, and Dave Smith, 42, took a break from knocking on doors in Hibbing to grab lunch with Radinovich.

Dressed in a United Steel Workers jacket, Pershern said he had faced an uphill battle in persuading fellow miners who credit Trump for their current economic prosperity.

"You get both sides - people who are pro-Trump and think he did everything single-handedly, you also have people who know that these tariffs that are being put in are against the wrong countries," he said.

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel.

Minnesota's rural northeast has sent Democrats to the US Congress for all but two of the past 71 years, but its political shift can be seen in roadside billboards thanking Republican President Donald Trump for imposing tariffs on imported steel. The state's 8th District has become a rare bright spot on the map for congressional Republicans ahead of Tuesday's elections, made rosier thanks to the decision by three-term Democratic incumbent Rick Nolan not to run again after winning his last election in 2016 by less than 1 percentage point. That has left Democrat Joe Radinovich trying to hold on to the region's miners and farmers. Forecasts show Republican St. Louis County Commissioner Pete Stauber with a good shot of flipping the district to the Republicans in a year Democrats are expected to easily pick up the additional 23 House of Representative seats they would need for a majority. Republicans, however, are favouredCHISHOLM to hold on to the Senate. A former police officer, Stauber is running as a moderate Republican, focusing on promoting economic growth, supporting gun rights and expanding mining in the District's national parks. He has broken from his party to say he would not repeal the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare program, but praised Trump's tariffs. "The steel dumping in this country should have been stopped decades ago. I'm happy the Trump administration has acted," Stauber, 52, said in a Tuesday night debate. "I know that those steel tariffs were good for the Iron Range and the families on the Iron Range." A New York Times/Siena College poll taken October 11 to 14 showed Stauber ahead by 15 percentage points. Iron range Minnesota's Iron Range has all the making of "Trump Country" - a rugged, rural region studded with iron taconite mines that feed much of the nation's steel production. Highway billboards thank Trump for imposing 25 per cent tariffs on foreign steel. Unhappy miners - including coal and iron ore workers - were a central piece of Trump's electoral coalition. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's promises to revitalize the metals industry helped pave the way for wins in the former industrial heartlands of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Trump failed to win Minnesota, but carried its 8th District by 15 percentage points - flipping a district that voted for Democrats in the four previous presidential election cycles. Brandy Fraser, 70, of Two Harbors, Minnesota, said she has raised a Democrat but became a Republican after watching the party move to the left. Fraser said she liked Stauber's support of Trump's immigration platform, including building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and ending birthright citizenship. "He's going to help do it," Fraser said. 'Underdog' Radinovich, 32, has raised $1.9 million, while Stauber had raised $1.6 million, as of Oct. 17. Super PACs and other outside groups have tipped the balance for the Republican, pouring in about $6 million, compared with about $670,000 by Democratic outside groups. "They have spent enough money against me to make us the underdog in this race," Radinovich told supporters on Tuesday night. "This isn't the first time in my life I've been an underdog." Democrat Hillary Clinton did strongly in parts of the Iron Range in 2016 and Radinovich aims to generate enough enthusiasm in those areas to keep the district Democratic. On Wednesday, two of his supporters, Cary Pershern, 40, and Dave Smith, 42, took a break from knocking on doors in Hibbing to grab lunch with Radinovich. Dressed in a United Steel Workers jacket, Pershern said he had faced an uphill battle in persuading fellow miners who credit Trump for their current economic prosperity. "You get both sides - people who are pro-Trump and think he did everything single-handedly, you also have people who know that these tariffs that are being put in are against the wrong countries," he said.

Democrat struggles to keep hold on teetering Minnesota district

US midterm polls 2018: Candidates campaign full-throttle before election day

Three weeks after a bizarre White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, rapper Kanye West said on Tuesday he was distancing himself from politics.

West, Trump's biggest celebrity supporter, also sought to distance himself from a new campaign that encourages black Americans to quit the Democratic Party.

"My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative!!!" West tweeted, without mentioning Trump, who is a Republican, or any other names.

The singer and fashion designer, who has said he is bipolar, also said he "never wanted any association" with a campaign launched last weekend called Blexit that seeks to draw African-Americans away from their long-standing support for Democrats.

West, 41, was linked to the campaign after its leader, conservative activist Candace Owens, said he had designed the logo for the movement's hats and T-shirts.

"I introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn’t want their name on it so she used mine," West tweeted on Tuesday. "I have nothing to do with it."

West posted his comments just a week before U.S. congressional elections on Nov. 6 and after months of erratic behaviour, including describing slavery as a choice.

On Oct. 11, he met Trump in the Oval Office and launched into a rambling 10-minute-long speech carried live on television in which he said Trump made him feel like a superhero, and referenced the existence of an alternate universe.&nbsp;

Three weeks after a bizarre White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, rapper Kanye West said on Tuesday he was distancing himself from politics. West, Trump's biggest celebrity supporter, also sought to distance himself from a new campaign that encourages black Americans to quit the Democratic Party.

Three weeks after a bizarre White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, rapper Kanye West said on Tuesday he was distancing himself from politics. West, Trump's biggest celebrity supporter, also sought to distance himself from a new campaign that encourages black Americans to quit the Democratic Party. "My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative!!!" West tweeted, without mentioning Trump, who is a Republican, or any other names. The singer and fashion designer, who has said he is bipolar, also said he "never wanted any association" with a campaign launched last weekend called Blexit that seeks to draw African-Americans away from their long-standing support for Democrats. West, 41, was linked to the campaign after its leader, conservative activist Candace Owens, said he had designed the logo for the movement's hats and T-shirts. "I introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn’t want their name on it so she used mine," West tweeted on Tuesday. "I have nothing to do with it." West posted his comments just a week before U.S. congressional elections on Nov. 6 and after months of erratic behaviour, including describing slavery as a choice. On Oct. 11, he met Trump in the Oval Office and launched into a rambling 10-minute-long speech carried live on television in which he said Trump made him feel like a superhero, and referenced the existence of an alternate universe.

Kanye West says he's been 'used', distances himself from politics

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote.

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Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!
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Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump.

The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported.

Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips.

All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

(With inputs from news agencies)

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote. Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 × Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump. The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported. Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips. All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (With inputs from news agencies)

Donald Trump says bomb alerts harming Republicans' vote 'momentum'

US Capitol Police are investigating the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/explosive-device-found-near-bill-and-hillary-clintons-home-in-new-york-173244">suspicious package that was mailed</a> to former US President Barack Obama, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and other high-profile Democrats.

US President Donald Trump condemned the incident and vowed to bring those responsible for the incident.

Calling it a "despicable acts" he said his administration will get to the bottom of it.

"In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together, and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America," Trump said at the White House.

"We're extremely angry, upset and unhappy about what we witnessed this morning, and we will get to the bottom of it," Trump said.

"The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice," he added.

Suspected explosives were also found in packages sent to the US news network CNN, after which Time Warner building in New York City, where the CNN bureau is located, was evacuated.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Capitol Police are investigating the suspicious package that was mailed to former US President Barack Obama, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and other high-profile Democrats.

US Capitol Police are investigating the suspicious package that was mailed to former US President Barack Obama, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and other high-profile Democrats. US President Donald Trump condemned the incident and vowed to bring those responsible for the incident. Calling it a "despicable acts" he said his administration will get to the bottom of it. "In these times, we have to unify, we have to come together, and send one very clear, strong, unmistakable message that acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America," Trump said at the White House. "We're extremely angry, upset and unhappy about what we witnessed this morning, and we will get to the bottom of it," Trump said. "The full weight of our government is being deployed to conduct this investigation and bring those responsible for these despicable acts to justice," he added. Suspected explosives were also found in packages sent to the US news network CNN, after which Time Warner building in New York City, where the CNN bureau is located, was evacuated. (With inputs from agencies)

Threats of political violence have no place in US: Trump

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month.

GOP Representative&nbsp;French Hill criticized the ad from Black Americans for the President's Agenda, which invokes the accusation that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman when he was a teenager.

A woman in the ad says that "white Democrats will be lynching black folk again."I'm voting to keep Congressman French Hill and the Republicans because we have to protect our men and boys," the woman in the ad says.

"We can't afford to let white Democrats take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences and lynchings when a white girl screams rape." Hill, who represents the 2nd District covering Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties, blasted the ad.

"I condemn this outrageous ad in the strongest terms," he said in a statement. "There's no place in Arkansas for this nonsense." Vernon Robinson, the PAC's co-founder and treasurer, said the ad has been running in Little Rock.

He said the ad is part of a US $50,000 buy that includes a similar spot running on stations in Missouri, where Republican Josh Hawley is trying to unseat Democratic Senator&nbsp;Claire McCaskill. The group had not coordinated the ad with Hill or spoken to his campaign about it, Robinson said.

Robinson did not immediately respond to an email Thursday night from The Associated Press asking if the group planned to pull the ad. Clarke Tucker, the Democratic state legislator trying to unseat Hill, also condemned the ad.

"Congressman Hill and his allies will have to live with the kind of campaign they're running. This radio ad is disgraceful and has no place in our society,"

Tucker said in a statement. "We won't let these shameful tactics distract us from why we're running, to stand up for the people in Central Arkansas on the critical issues in our lives, not just health care and good-paying jobs but also having some basic decency in our political process."

The North Carolina-based PAC was formed earlier this year and this week reported having about US $52,507 cash on hand and US $62,769 in debt.

Arkansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the US&nbsp;House since 2010, but Tucker is mounting a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat the two-term Hill.

Democrats are relying on a heavy turnout in Little Rock and its surrounding county, which is about 37 per cent black and 6 per cent Hispanic.&nbsp;

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month.

A Republican congressman in central Arkansas and his challenger on Thursday condemned a political action committee's radio ad that suggests white Democrats will lynch black Americans if they win the midterm election next month. GOP Representative French Hill criticized the ad from Black Americans for the President's Agenda, which invokes the accusation that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted a woman when he was a teenager. A woman in the ad says that "white Democrats will be lynching black folk again."I'm voting to keep Congressman French Hill and the Republicans because we have to protect our men and boys," the woman in the ad says. "We can't afford to let white Democrats take us back to bad old days of race verdicts, life sentences and lynchings when a white girl screams rape." Hill, who represents the 2nd District covering Little Rock and seven central Arkansas counties, blasted the ad. "I condemn this outrageous ad in the strongest terms," he said in a statement. "There's no place in Arkansas for this nonsense." Vernon Robinson, the PAC's co-founder and treasurer, said the ad has been running in Little Rock. He said the ad is part of a US $50,000 buy that includes a similar spot running on stations in Missouri, where Republican Josh Hawley is trying to unseat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill. The group had not coordinated the ad with Hill or spoken to his campaign about it, Robinson said. Robinson did not immediately respond to an email Thursday night from The Associated Press asking if the group planned to pull the ad. Clarke Tucker, the Democratic state legislator trying to unseat Hill, also condemned the ad. "Congressman Hill and his allies will have to live with the kind of campaign they're running. This radio ad is disgraceful and has no place in our society," Tucker said in a statement. "We won't let these shameful tactics distract us from why we're running, to stand up for the people in Central Arkansas on the critical issues in our lives, not just health care and good-paying jobs but also having some basic decency in our political process." The North Carolina-based PAC was formed earlier this year and this week reported having about US $52,507 cash on hand and US $62,769 in debt. Arkansas hasn't sent a Democrat to the US House since 2010, but Tucker is mounting a surprisingly competitive bid to unseat the two-term Hill. Democrats are relying on a heavy turnout in Little Rock and its surrounding county, which is about 37 per cent black and 6 per cent Hispanic.

Radio ad in Arkansas suggests 'lynching' if Democrats win

Thousands of people made their disdain for President Donald Trump heard Saturday at a rally and march in Chicago aimed at galvanizing support for Democrats in the upcoming November midterm elections.

A giant "Baby Trump" flew over the crowd. Trump was depicted as "El Diablo" on a high-flying flag. Demonstrators waved "Vote Blue" banners -- the message was unmistakable.

Angered by the bitter fight over new US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and what they called the "anti-woman agenda" of the Trump administration and the Republican Party, women -- and men -- descended on the Windy City's picturesque Grant Park.

The "March to the Polls" event -- which began in the downtown park and wrapped up after a two-block-long crowd marched to the centre of the business district -- came just as voter registration deadlines neared in most states and early voting ramped up in more than a dozen states including Illinois.&nbsp;

Hillary Clinton appeared in a video message played on a giant screen, encouraging people to register to vote.&nbsp;

"Imagine being able to hold this administration accountable," Clinton said, echoing the general sentiment that the election is a barometer of Trump's popularity.

Rally the millennials

Saturday's demonstration included a street festival-like "Voter Village" where dozens of community groups and politicians set up booths to reach new voters and encourage political involvement.

"We wanted to lead into the midterms and encourage women to get out and vote," Jessica Scheller, head of Women's March Chicago, which organized the event, told AFP. &nbsp;

The loud crowd of thousands of men, women and even children, marched through downtown Chicago chanting "Vote them out!" Some were encouraged to head to early voting locations nearby to cast ballots.

Iyahna Wilson, a 19-year-old volunteer who assisted in the march, voted for the first time -- motivated by racial justice issues and gender rights.&nbsp;

"I never really thought that my vote was going to make a change," Wilson told AFP moments after she exited a downtown polling location, raising her hands up in celebration.&nbsp;

It is that mindset that organizers were fighting to change with an event they specifically aimed to take place in the runup to the midterm election.&nbsp;

"I would like women to take charge of the midterms," protester Sarah Sieracki told AFP.&nbsp;

The 23-year-old from the nearby Republican-dominated state of Indiana was the type of voter organizers were hoping to encourage to get involved.

She was carrying a "Grab 'em by the midterms" sign -- a play on an infamous remark made by Trump.

"Women need to vote. They need to get out," said Sieracki.&nbsp;

"We need to rally the young millennials and the people coming up, turning 18 (years old)."

'Women are angry'

The Chicago rally symbolized the political rancour generated by the partisan fight over Kavanaugh's confirmation despite sexual assault allegations and powerful testimony against him by his accuser Christine Blasey Ford.&nbsp;

All but one Senate Republican voted to confirm Kavanaugh to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. All but one Democrat voted against.&nbsp;

Anti-Trump marches were scheduled later this month in other states, including the Republican strongholds of Texas, Georgia and South Carolina.&nbsp;

"It is infuriating to women to watch that display that we watched in that Senate committee hearing, and to see that that man was still confirmed," Scheller said.&nbsp;

"Women are angry. And we're starting to feel comfortable being angry." &nbsp;

Republicans currently hold the White House and both chambers of Congress, but many in the party fear anti-Trump voters will overwhelm the president's supporters in the elections, pushing the House -- at least -- over to the Democrats.

Most states allow early voting by mail-in ballot or at a limited number of polling stations, giving those unable to show up on Election Day a chance to vote.

Chicago organizers insisted their event did not favour any one party, even though funding came largely from trade unions and Democrat-aligned groups.&nbsp;

Previous women's protests have included plenty of anti-Trump rhetoric.&nbsp;

Protests in January shut down streets in dozens of American cities. In Chicago, hundreds of thousands marched.&nbsp;

Thousands of people made their disdain for President Donald Trump heard Saturday at a rally and march in Chicago aimed at galvanizing support for Democrats in the upcoming November midterm elections.

Thousands of people made their disdain for President Donald Trump heard Saturday at a rally and march in Chicago aimed at galvanizing support for Democrats in the upcoming November midterm elections. A giant "Baby Trump" flew over the crowd. Trump was depicted as "El Diablo" on a high-flying flag. Demonstrators waved "Vote Blue" banners -- the message was unmistakable. Angered by the bitter fight over new US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and what they called the "anti-woman agenda" of the Trump administration and the Republican Party, women -- and men -- descended on the Windy City's picturesque Grant Park. The "March to the Polls" event -- which began in the downtown park and wrapped up after a two-block-long crowd marched to the centre of the business district -- came just as voter registration deadlines neared in most states and early voting ramped up in more than a dozen states including Illinois. Hillary Clinton appeared in a video message played on a giant screen, encouraging people to register to vote. "Imagine being able to hold this administration accountable," Clinton said, echoing the general sentiment that the election is a barometer of Trump's popularity. Rally the millennials Saturday's demonstration included a street festival-like "Voter Village" where dozens of community groups and politicians set up booths to reach new voters and encourage political involvement. "We wanted to lead into the midterms and encourage women to get out and vote," Jessica Scheller, head of Women's March Chicago, which organized the event, told AFP. The loud crowd of thousands of men, women and even children, marched through downtown Chicago chanting "Vote them out!" Some were encouraged to head to early voting locations nearby to cast ballots. Iyahna Wilson, a 19-year-old volunteer who assisted in the march, voted for the first time -- motivated by racial justice issues and gender rights. "I never really thought that my vote was going to make a change," Wilson told AFP moments after she exited a downtown polling location, raising her hands up in celebration. It is that mindset that organizers were fighting to change with an event they specifically aimed to take place in the runup to the midterm election. "I would like women to take charge of the midterms," protester Sarah Sieracki told AFP. The 23-year-old from the nearby Republican-dominated state of Indiana was the type of voter organizers were hoping to encourage to get involved. She was carrying a "Grab 'em by the midterms" sign -- a play on an infamous remark made by Trump. "Women need to vote. They need to get out," said Sieracki. "We need to rally the young millennials and the people coming up, turning 18 (years old)." 'Women are angry' The Chicago rally symbolized the political rancour generated by the partisan fight over Kavanaugh's confirmation despite sexual assault allegations and powerful testimony against him by his accuser Christine Blasey Ford. All but one Senate Republican voted to confirm Kavanaugh to a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court. All but one Democrat voted against. Anti-Trump marches were scheduled later this month in other states, including the Republican strongholds of Texas, Georgia and South Carolina. "It is infuriating to women to watch that display that we watched in that Senate committee hearing, and to see that that man was still confirmed," Scheller said. "Women are angry. And we're starting to feel comfortable being angry." Republicans currently hold the White House and both chambers of Congress, but many in the party fear anti-Trump voters will overwhelm the president's supporters in the elections, pushing the House -- at least -- over to the Democrats. Most states allow early voting by mail-in ballot or at a limited number of polling stations, giving those unable to show up on Election Day a chance to vote. Chicago organizers insisted their event did not favour any one party, even though funding came largely from trade unions and Democrat-aligned groups. Previous women's protests have included plenty of anti-Trump rhetoric. Protests in January shut down streets in dozens of American cities. In Chicago, hundreds of thousands marched.

Thousands march in Chicago against Trump's 'anti-woman agenda'

Pop star Taylor Swift is not really known for making political statements, but the "Bad Blood" singer is no longer holding back ahead of the midterm elections in November.

In a lengthy post on Instagram, where she has 112 million followers, the 28-year-old Swift says while she has been "reluctant" to share her political views in the past, she has changed her mind.

She endorsed the Democrat running for the US Senate in her home state of Tennessee, and unleashed a fierce attack on his opponent, Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House.

"As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me," Swift said.

"She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape."

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BopoXpYnCes/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/taylorswift/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Taylor Swift</a> (@taylorswift) on <time datetime="2018-10-07T23:33:38+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT</time>
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Last year, Swift won a lawsuit against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her.

Blackburn "believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry," Swift added.

"These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives."

She urged her fans to register to vote, saying: "Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values.

"For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway."

Pop star Taylor Swift is not really known for making political statements, but the "Bad Blood" singer is no longer holding back ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Pop star Taylor Swift is not really known for making political statements, but the "Bad Blood" singer is no longer holding back ahead of the midterm elections in November. In a lengthy post on Instagram, where she has 112 million followers, the 28-year-old Swift says while she has been "reluctant" to share her political views in the past, she has changed her mind. She endorsed the Democrat running for the US Senate in her home state of Tennessee, and unleashed a fierce attack on his opponent, Republican Marsha Blackburn, who currently serves in the House. "As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me," Swift said. "She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape." View this post on Instagram I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway. So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈 A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on Oct 7, 2018 at 4:33pm PDT × Last year, Swift won a lawsuit against a former radio DJ she accused of groping her. Blackburn "believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry," Swift added. "These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives." She urged her fans to register to vote, saying: "Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. "For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway."

Taylor Swift gets political, endorses Democrats in US midterms

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees -- a move that infuriated Democrats and some in his own party.

The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports.

In a tweet Friday evening the US president praised his plan while lambasting Democrats as well as the Barack Obama administration, who he said: "let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks."

"I closed it down then let it reopen with high-level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase US&nbspparts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing."

In a follow-up tweet, he called the "so-called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!"

The New York Times had reported earlier of a deal with China's ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company.

The reported terms of the deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations.

It provoked a harsh reaction among some members of Congress, however, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signalling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, slammed Trump's deal as "a staggering betrayal of the American people."

"Trump pledged to fight for Americans, but he's now using US&nbspgovernment resources to enrich ZTE (a foreign company designated a national cybersecurity risk)," Pelosi tweeted.

ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations.

Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team.

Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favour" to Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp

Alternatives&nbsp

On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose.

But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce."

Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it.

The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiralling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports.

Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia.

Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedalling.

Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal.

Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China.

"It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecom companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal.

"If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks."

Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available.

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees

US President Donald Trump said Friday he had reached a deal to keep Chinese telecoms giant ZTE running, rolling back some penalties in exchange for security guarantees -- a move that infuriated Democrats and some in his own party. The news comes as the US prepares to send a trade delegation back to Beijing next week to continue talks aimed at defusing a potentially serious trade dispute with China after the countries exchanged huge tit-for-tat threats on imports. In a tweet Friday evening the US president praised his plan while lambasting Democrats as well as the Barack Obama administration, who he said: "let phone company ZTE flourish with no security checks." "I closed it down then let it reopen with high-level security guarantees, change of management and board, must purchase US&nbspparts and pay a $1.3 Billion fine. Dems do nothing." In a follow-up tweet, he called the "so-called Trade Deals" struck by Democrats "the laughing stock of the world!" The New York Times had reported earlier of a deal with China's ZTE that would lift crippling sanctions slapped on the company. The reported terms of the deal closely match the conditions US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross described earlier this week as a means for the firm to escape the export ban that nearly shuttered its operations. It provoked a harsh reaction among some members of Congress, however, as lawmakers have been critical of the administration for signalling it might ease the pressure on a company that violated US sanctions on Iran and North Korea and repeatedly lied to US officials. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, slammed Trump's deal as "a staggering betrayal of the American people." "Trump pledged to fight for Americans, but he's now using US&nbspgovernment resources to enrich ZTE (a foreign company designated a national cybersecurity risk)," Pelosi tweeted. ZTE was fined $1.2 billion in March 2017, but last month Washington banned the sale of crucial US components to the company after finding it had lied multiple times and failed to take action against employees responsible for sanctions violations. Under the new deal brokered by the Commerce Department, according to the Times, ZTE would pay a substantial fine, hire American compliance officers to be placed at the firm and make changes to its current management team. Even while US officials said the ZTE penalties were a national security issue separate from the trade talks with Beijing, Trump said Tuesday he was looking at easing the tough sanctions on ZTE "as a favour" to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Alternatives On Thursday, Ross said that at Trump's request, his department was looking at alternatives to the harsh penalty he chose to impose. But, he said, "if we do decide to go forward with an alternative, what it literally would involve would be in planting people of our choosing into the company to constitute a compliance unit and that unit would report back to the Department of Commerce." Top Republican and Democrat senators have denounced the compromise and one even vowed to block it. The reprieve for ZTE came just after Washington and Beijing called a halt to a spiralling trade dispute sparked by US accusations of China's unfair practices and the alleged theft of US technology, with Washington suspending plans to impose tariffs on as much as $150 billion in Chinese imports. Trump also faced accusations of quid-pro-quo after pledging to soften sanctions on ZTE just days after AFP reported a Chinese state firm would pour cash into a Trump-tied real estate venture in Indonesia. Lawmakers were incensed by Trump's offer last week to rescue the company and Chinese jobs, which came via Twitter in the midst of the trade talks with Beijing. The president angrily denied back-pedalling. Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who chairs a key subcommittee on foreign relations, denounced the move and vowed lawmakers would work on "veto-proof legislation" to stop the deal. Tweeting again on Friday, Rubio again accused the administration of reaching an agreement that was beneficial to China. "It is a great deal... for #ZTE & China. #China crushes US companies with no mercy & they use these telecom companies to spy & steal from us," he said on Twitter. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also decried the deal. "If the administration goes through with this reported deal, President Trump would be helping make China great again. Would be a huge victory for President Xi, and a dramatic retreat by Pres Trump," he tweeted. "Both parties in Congress should come together to stop this deal in its tracks." Asked by AFP for comment, a Commerce spokesman said no information was available.

White House reaches deal to lift sanctions on China's ZTE

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