Several major election races in Michigan remained too close to call as vote counting continued following Tuesday’s (November 3) US midterm elections, even as Democrats secured control of the United States Senate, according to election projections.
The results mark a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats making substantial gains in several traditionally Republican-leaning states and positioning themselves to challenge President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda during the remainder of his presidency.
Michigan has emerged as one of the key battlegrounds in the election, with voters deciding contests for the US Senate, governor, attorney general, secretary of state and all seats in the state’s congressional delegation, alongside several statewide ballot proposals.
Democrats regain control of the US Senate
Democrats have regained control of the US Senate after securing a series of significant victories across the country, ending the Republican majority established following the 2024 elections.
The party’s gains included victories in Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, Kansas and South Carolina, among other states, allowing Democrats to secure the seats needed to take control of the chamber.
The outcome is expected to give Democrats greater influence over federal legislation and presidential appointments, including nominations to Cabinet positions and the federal judiciary.
Senate control is particularly significant during the final two years of Trump’s presidency, as the Democratic majority will have the power to scrutinise, delay or block various elements of the administration’s legislative programme and appointments.
The Associated Press reported that Democrats had secured Senate control, while the outcome of the House of Representatives remained uncertain as counting continued.
Michigan Senate race remains too close to call
One of the most closely watched contests in Michigan is the race for an open US Senate seat between Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
The seat became vacant following the retirement of Democratic Senator Gary Peters, who represented Michigan for 12 years.
El-Sayed, a former public health official, entered the election after a divisive Democratic primary campaign. Rogers, a former Republican congressman and former FBI agent, sought to secure the seat for the Republicans after narrowly losing his previous Senate bid in 2024.
Early election returns showed El-Sayed holding a lead over Rogers. However, the gap narrowed as additional votes were counted from Republican-leaning areas.
According to Michigan Public, the results remained too close to call, with substantial numbers of ballots still being processed.
The contest attracted significant national attention and substantial campaign spending, with former President Barack Obama campaigning for El-Sayed and President Donald Trump supporting Rogers.
The race was also shaped by disagreements over the economy, healthcare, immigration, the war involving Iran and US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Gubernatorial contest also remains tight
The Michigan gubernatorial election has also emerged as a closely contested race.
Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson, the state’s Secretary of State, is competing against Republican US Representative John James to succeed outgoing Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is unable to seek another term because of term limits.
Benson maintained a lead through much of the initial vote count. However, election officials had not declared a winner, and the contest remained too close to call.
James expressed confidence in his campaign while addressing supporters at a Republican election-night gathering in Detroit.
“We don’t know what tonight’s going to bring … we are optimistic,” James told supporters as counting continued.
The outcome will determine who leads Michigan’s state government for the next four years.
Key congressional races draw attention
Several congressional contests in Michigan also attracted considerable attention as Democrats sought to strengthen their representation in the US House of Representatives.
One of the closely watched contests involved the state’s 10th Congressional District, where Democrat Christina Hines faced Republican Michael Bouchard.
The seat became vacant after John James decided to contest the gubernatorial election.
Early returns showed the candidates separated by less than one percentage point, with just over 20% of votes counted at the time of the reported update.
Hines addressed supporters in Warren, acknowledging that the race remained too close to call. Bouchard, a US Army veteran, received Trump’s endorsement.
Meanwhile, several congressional results had already been called.
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Democrat Donavan McKinney won Michigan’s 13th Congressional District.
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Democrat Debbie Dingell secured re-election in the 6th District.
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Democrat Hillary Scholten won re-election in the 3rd District.
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Democrat Rashida Tlaib secured another term in the 12th District.
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Republican Lisa McClain retained the 9th District.
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Republican Tim Walberg won re-election in the 5th District.
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Republican John Moolenaar retained the 2nd District.
Democrat Jeremy Moss also won the 11th Congressional District, according to Associated Press race calls reported by Michigan Public.
Michigan voters reject constitutional convention proposal
Voters also considered two important statewide ballot proposals during the midterm elections.
Proposal 1, which sought approval to hold a constitutional convention to review Michigan’s constitution, was rejected.
The proposal would have allowed delegates to consider possible changes to the state’s constitution, with any amendments subsequently requiring voter approval.
Michigan voters have repeatedly rejected similar proposals since the state’s current constitution was adopted in 1963.
Meanwhile, Proposal 2 was approved, introducing restrictions on political contributions by regulated utility companies and certain government contractors.
Under the measure, companies undertaking more than US$250,000 worth of government work annually, as well as regulated gas and electricity utilities, will be prohibited from making campaign contributions under the new rules.
Detroit vote counting continues
Election officials in Detroit continued processing absentee ballots as the city worked towards completing its vote count.
According to Daniel Baxter, chief of operations for the Detroit Department of Elections, approximately 68,000 absentee ballots returned before Election Day had already been tabulated.
Around 135,000 people had voted in person, either through early voting or on Election Day.
Officials expected another 10,000 to 12,000 absentee ballots to arrive through drop boxes on Election Day.
Baxter initially expected the city’s final results to be available before 2.30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, although the processing and verification of ballots remained an important part of the counting process.
Detroit officials estimated overall voter turnout in the city at between 40% and 45%.
Political implications of the election
The Democratic victories are expected to reshape the political landscape in Washington, giving the party greater authority over congressional proceedings and federal appointments.
The results also reflect voter concerns over rising living costs, economic conditions, immigration, government corruption and the Trump administration’s policies.
With Senate control secured, Democrats are expected to use their new majority to exercise greater oversight of the administration. However, the continuing uncertainty surrounding the House results could determine how much legislative power the party ultimately gains.
Although several Michigan contests remained unresolved during the overnight count, the national Senate outcome had already marked a major development in the 2026 midterm elections.
US Senate balance of power – 2026 election
