Election 2023 results and analysis: Democrats excel in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is projected to win reelection in Mississippi.

By538 and ABC News via five thirty eight logo
Last Updated: November 7, 2023, 5:08 PM EST

Nov. 7, 2023, was Election Day in at least 37 states, and Americans cast their votes on everything from governorships to local referenda. When the dust settled, it was a solid night for Democrats and their allies: According to ABC News projections, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in Kentucky, and Ohio voters passed Issue 1 to codify abortion rights in the state constitution. The AP also projected that Democrats won both chambers of the Virginia legislature and an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. However, there were a few bright spots for Republicans: ABC News projected that Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves beat back a strong challenge from Democrat Brandon Presley.

As results came in, 538 analysts were breaking them down in real time with live updates, analysis and commentary. Read our full live blog below.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 07, 2023, 9:55 PM EST

A GOP upset in New Hampshire

We did warn that, of the more than 250 mayoral races in the country, we might see an upset someplace. For now, that place seems to be Manchester, New Hampshire, where local media projects that Republican Jay Ruais will win the race to replace Democratic Mayor Joyce Craig, who is running for governor and had endorsed Democrat Kevin Cavanaugh to replace her.

Technically, the mayoral race is nonpartisan. However, Ruais was a congressional aide to former Rep. Frank Guinta, a Republican who had also previously served as mayor of Manchester. Ruais also had an endorsement from outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu

Across the state, Republicans have been campaigning on the idea that Manchester “is out of control,” according to reporting from the local NPR station. Expect to hear plenty of prognosticating over how Republicans won New Hampshire’s biggest city in the coming days, if not months.

—Leah Askarinam, 538

Nov 07, 2023, 9:51 PM EST

A big hold for New Jersey Democrats

In the 11th District, the AP has projected that state Sen. Vin Gopal has won re-election in a district that Republicans had heavily targeted. Gopal leads his GOP challenger 60 to 39 percent, while his ticket-mates running for state Assembly, Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul, are running ahead of their GOP opponents as well.

—Jacob Rubashkin, Inside Elections

Nov 07, 2023, 9:50 PM EST

Beshear strikes a tone of unity in victory speech

Beshear spoke after his victory, saying that voters didn't choose to move right or left, but made "a choice to move forward for every single family." He said "anger politics" should end, and that Republicans had run ads in the state full of hate and division. Beshear touted his record of economic and infrastructure development, and promised to raise pay for educators and establish universal pre-K. His parents, including former Gov. Steve Beshear, wife, and children shared the stage with him. He said Hadley Duvall, a 21-year-old who appeared in an ad for him, speaking about the sexual abuse she experienced as a child and criticizing Cameron for his support of an abortion ban, was in the audience.

Gov. Andy Beshear's reelection bid became a closely watched off-year contest.
1:48

Kentucky Gov. Beshear gives victory speech after projected reelection win

Gov. Andy Beshear's reelection bid became a closely watched off-year contest.
ABCNews.com

—Monica Potts, 538

Nov 07, 2023, 9:36 PM EST

Ohio votes to legalize (and regulate) recreational marijuana

With abortion on the ballot in Ohio, Issue 2 — a statute that would allow Ohioans to possess and grow marijuana and create a new Division of Cannabis Control to regulate it — fell under the radar. However, ABC projects that Issue 2 will pass.

—Leah Askarinam, 538

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