Who will control Congress after the 2022 midterms? Graphics show key races to watch.

After contentious debates between Senate candidates in Georgia and Pennsylvania, parties are watching closely to see who will win control of Congress

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After contentious debates between Senate candidates in Georgia and Pennsylvania, parties are watching closely to see who will win control of Congress

Published Updated

The Nov. 8 midterm elections could be decided on a handful of key issues, including abortion rights, the economy and inflation, and health care. It will also be an indicator of what’s ahead in the 2024 presidential election.

Republican gubernatorial victories could propel candidates such as Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida or Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to become the next GOP presidential nominee. Democratic gains could help President Joe Biden win reelection.

The midterms could also decide the political future of former President Donald Trump, who endorsed more than 200 Republican candidates. If enough of those candidates lose, another presidential bid by Trump could be cut short.

A look at high-profile races across the country:

Senate races

Candidates are vying for 35 open seats in the 100-member Senate. While most will probably remain with the incumbent candidate, at least eight could go either way. Here are the tightly contested Senate races:

In Pennsylvania, Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman faces Republican nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz for Republican Pat Toomey's Senate seat. Toomey is retiring. 

In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker, a former NFL running back, are campaigning. 

In Arizona, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly is running for reelection against Republican Blake Masters, a Trump-backed venture capitalist.

In New Hampshire, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan is running for reelection against Republican Don Bolduc, a retired Army general.

In Wisconsin, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson is running for reelection against Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. 

In North Carolina, Republican Rep. Ted Budd and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat, are campaigning for the Senate seat being vacated by Richard Burr.  

In Ohio, Republican J.D. Vance, author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” has a thin lead over Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio.

In Nevada, incumbent Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican Adam Laxalt are running.

House races

Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, so all 435 seats are up for election. Democrats currently have a 220-212 majority, with three vacancies.  Close races in the House:

In Texas, incumbent Republican Rep. Mayra Flores, who won a special election in June, faces Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, who is running in District 34 after redistricting.

In California, Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao, who voted to impeach President Donald Trump for the Jan. 6, 2011, Capitol riot, faces Democratic challenger Rudy Salas for California's 22nd District seat.

In Maine, former Rep. Bruce Poliquin, a Republican, is running against Democratic Rep. Jared Golden to reclaim his 2nd District seat after being voted out in 2018.

In Michigan, Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, formerly of the 8th District, is running for the state's new 7th District seat against Republican state Sen. Tom Barrett, an Army veteran who also served in the state House.

In New Hampshire, Republican Karoline Leavitt, a former Trump White House assistant press secretary, faces Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas for the 1st District seat.

In New Jersey, incumbent Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski is running for reelection in the 7th District against Republican state Sen. Tom Kean Jr.

In Nevada, incumbent Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, whose 1st District was redrawn, is running against Republican Mark Robertson, a businessman who served in the military and the Defense Department.

In North Carolina, Republican Bo Hines, a 27-year-old political newcomer and former college football player who's been endorsed by Trump, is running in the 13th District against state Sen. Wiley Nickel, a former staffer with former Vice President Al Gore and President Barack Obama.

Governor races

Gubernatorial elections will be held in 36 states and three territories in 2022. Here are some of the high-profile races:

In Georgia, Republican incumbent Brian Kemp faces Democrat Stacey Abrams, who lost to Kemp by half a percentage point in 2018.

In Wisconsin, Democratic incumbent Tony Evers is running against Tim Michels, a construction businessman who's been endorsed by Trump.

In Kansas, Democratic incumbent Laura Kelly faces Republican Derek Schmidt, the state attorney general.

In Nevada, Democratic incumbent Steve Sisolak is running against Republican challenger Joe Lombardo, the sheriff of Clark County.

In Arizona, Republican Kari Lake, endorsed by Trump, faces Democrat Katie Hobbs, the Arizona secretary of state.

In Florida, incumbent Republican Ron DeSantis is running against Democratic U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a former Florida governor.

In Texas, incumbent Republican Greg Abbott faces Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke, a presidential candidate in 2020.

In Michigan, incumbent Democrat Gretchen Whitmer is running against Republican Tudor Dixon.

In New Mexico, incumbent Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham faces Republican Mark Ronchetti, a former Senate candidate and TV meteorologist.

In Pennsylvania, Democratic candidate Josh Shapiro, the state attorney general, faces Doug Mastriano, a Trump-backed state legislator.

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SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Associated Press; Real Clear Politics; National Governors Association; fivethirtyeight.com

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