Cooper and Andrews secure Senate pickups as Ossoff retains Georgia

Democratic candidates secured two Senate seats in the American South on Tuesday, moving the party closer to retaking control of the chamber from Republicans.

The Democratic Party entered the midterms with a 47-seat minority against the Republican 53-seat majority. To achieve a majority, Democrats needed to win four more seats than they held. The results in the Carolinas delivered two of those necessary pickups, while the party also retained its seats in Georgia and New Hampshire.

In North Carolina, Roy Cooper won the race with a wide margin. The 69-year-old former governor defeated Michael Whatley, a candidate selected by President Donald Trump. Cooper campaigned heavily on the rising costs of food and energy. He replaced Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican who retired after disagreeing with Trump over Medicaid cuts. Cooper noted his strong support from independent voters, a factor that helped him overcome Whatley, who had never held elected office before this race.

A surprise result occurred in South Carolina, where pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham. Graham had been appointed to the seat by Governor Henry McMaster following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, in July. Media outlets projected Andrews as the winner, making her the first Democrat to hold a South Carolina Senate seat since 1998. Trump had called the appointment of his niece a tribute to her late brother, but the race outcome challenged the strength of the Republican hold on the state.

Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, defeating Republican Mike Collins. The 39-year-old senator began the campaign as a primary target for Republicans, as he was the only Democrat seeking reelection in a state Trump carried in 2024. Ossoff raised more than $100 million during the cycle, a figure that fueled speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run. He positioned himself as a sharp critic of the administration, labeling Trump a failed president in his messaging.

The election outcomes will shape the legislative landscape for the remainder of Trump’s second term. With Democrats gaining ground in the South, the balance of power in the Senate hinges on results from other contested states including Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. The party’s ability to block or advance legislation will depend on the final tally of seats once all races are certified.

Cooper addressed supporters in Raleigh, stating that the election showed everyday people could make change. He pledged to focus on affordability in Washington. Ossoff told his supporters in Georgia that the American people had rebuked the administration, describing the effort as a way to heal the political system.

The results mark a shift in the political map for the American South. Democrats had not won a Senate seat in South Carolina in nearly three decades. In North Carolina, the victory adds another Democratic voice to the chamber from a state that has historically leaned Republican in Senate races. These outcomes set the stage for the next phase of the midterm election cycle.