Republicans take clear lead in US Congress

Republicans have emerged as strong favorites to secure US Senate from Democratic control on Tuesday, after flipping two seats in the 2024 US Elections.

All eyes are on the White House race between Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and her Republican rival Donald Trump.

Republican governor of West Virginia Jim Justice emerged as an easy victor over his Democratic challenger in the Senate race to replace retiring moderate Joe Manchin.

Meanwhile, Republican’s Bernie Moreno secured a seat from Ohio from Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown.

The US Capitol is divided into the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are up for grabs — and a 100-member Senate, which has 34 seats at stake this year.

As with polling in the White House contest, the congressional election looks close. Even with Republicans pressing their advantage in the upper chamber.

The Justice and Moreno victories reversed the Democrats’ 51-49 Senate advantage, with Republicans looking to extend their lead with pick-ups in Montana, and possibly Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

They are also looking to mitigate losses with gains in Texas and Florida, but conceded both as the sitting Republicans notched easy wins.