Early results from the US midterm elections have handed Democrats two important Senate wins. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff has been re-elected, while in North Carolina former governor Roy Cooper has captured a seat held by the Republicans, as the party tries to retake control of the chamber.
Cooper is the first Democrat to win one of North Carolina's Senate seats since 2008. He replaces Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who chose not to seek a third term after becoming a frequent critic of President Donald Trump. Cooper defeated former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley in a state that has narrowly backed Trump three times since 2016.
"Chaos and corruption in Washington were hurting our people. Today, you said, 'This has to stop,'" Cooper said in his victory speech, pledging to make healthcare, housing and groceries more affordable, "to end this war and stop the pain at the pump", a reference to the US war with Iran.
In Georgia, Ossoff beat Republican Congressman Mike Collins, a close Trump ally. According to sources, Ossoff led Collins by 63 percent to 29 percent with 56 percent of votes counted. Ossoff campaigned on affordability, healthcare and government accountability, while Collins focused on the president's agenda, immigration enforcement and shrinking government. Counting continues in other states.