Election 2023 results and analysis: Democrats excel in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is projected to win reelection in Mississippi.
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:
One early trend in a key Virginia legislative district
Virginia's been counting votes for almost an hour and a half, but some key races are still very far from a conclusion. Still, in Virginia's state Senate, it looks like GOP Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant is in trouble in the 16th District in the western Richmond suburbs. She's trailing Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg by about 3 points, but none of the more Democratic-leaning early vote has been reported yet. A Democratic victory there would probably put them at 20 seats, needing just one more in one of the other swing seats to capture an outright majority in the 40-seat chamber.
—Geoffrey Skelley, 538
Amo projected to win in Rhode Island
Speaking of which … ABC News can now project that Amo has won in Rhode Island’s 1st District. I’ll still be watching to see what the final margin is, though, since overperformance in special elections can often tell us which way the political winds are blowing.
—Nathaniel Rakich, 538
As expected, Democrats lead in Rhode Island
With 39 percent of the expected vote reporting, Democrat Gabe Amo leads Republican Gerry Leonard Jr. 63 percent to 37 percent in the special election for Rhode Island’s 1st District. This is wholly unsurprising, considering that the district voted for Biden by a similar margin of 64 percent to 35 percent. So far, Amo isn’t overperforming to quite the same degree as Democrats have in state-legislative special elections this year. But that shouldn’t stop him from becoming the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress.
—Nathaniel Rakich, 538
Democrat projected to win Philadelphia mayoral race
In Philadelphia, ABC News projects former Philadelphia City Council member Cherelle Parker will be the city's next mayor. She will become Philadelphia's first female mayor, defeating Republican David Oh.
— Leah Askarinam, 538
Introducing myself
Hello! I’m Jacob Rubashkin and I’m a reporter and analyst for Inside Elections, a non-partisan newsletter in D.C. that puts out news and analysis of House, Senate and gubernatorial elections across the country. You may know us from the race ratings we assign in those contests: think “toss-up” or “lean Republican,” things of that nature. I’m also a 538 contributor and have joined election night live blogs for the past few years. Tonight I’ll be keeping track of the state legislature fights in two states — New Jersey and Mississippi — but I’ll also be watching how successful Republican messaging is in Kentucky and Mississippi. The GOP has leaned into social issues and tying Democratic gubernatorial candidates to Biden in what could be a preview of their strategy in red state Senate races next cycle. But will it work? We’ll see.
—Jacob Rubashkin, Inside Elections