An uncertain Senate, Ohio turns red: A summary of the national elections

Graphic by Maggie Prosser.

As the dust from Election Day continues to settle, the fate of the U.S. Senate remains uncertain.

Senate races in Alaska and Georgia have yet to be called, and with North Carolina challenger Democrat Cal Cunningham conceding to Republican incumbent Thom Tillis on Monday, the Senate's makeup sits at 48 decided Democratic seats to 49 decided Republican seats. 

Georgia will have a runoff election in January for both of its seats that will likely determine which party gains control of the Senate. 

Democrats have retained control of the U.S. House of Representatives by securing the majority of House seats. However, Democrats did not escape the November election unscathed — Republicans have flipped 9 seats so far for a net gain of 6 seats. 

With 16 races yet to be called, Democrats currently have 218 seats and Republicans have 201 seats. Democrats won in a majority of urban areas, with Republicans largely winning rural districts. 

If Democrats win at least 50 U.S. Senate seats, they will have the majority, with Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris serving as a tiebreaker for votes. They will also then control both houses of Congress, creating an executive and legislative branch led by the Democratic party. 

Of Ohio’s 16 congressional representatives, only 4 Democrats were elected this November. Ohio’s representation in Washington is largely Republican, a trend that mirrors the state legislature. 

This November, 13 Republicans were elected to the Ohio State Senate. Republicans have a strong majority in the State Senate, with 24 seats. Democrats hold 9 of the State Senate’s 33 seats. 

With 61 seats, Republicans have retained their majority in the Ohio House of Representatives. In the State House, Democrats control 38 of the 99 seats. 

Republican majority on the Ohio Supreme Court was reduced from 5-2 to 4-3. Judge Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, defeated incumbent Republican Judge Judith French. Incumbent Republican Judge Sharon Kennedy defeated Democratic challenger John O’Donnell. 

This November, Ohio continued a trend of voting largely Republican, with Ohioans overwhelmingly favoring President Trump in the presidential election. Trump won Ohio by 8.1%, according to The New York Times. 

President Trump has not formally conceded to President-Elect Joe Biden as his legal battles over election laws in several states continue.

The electoral college will cast their votes for president and vice president on Dec. 14, setting the formal election process in motion.