The Southwest states feature a number of key races: at least two Senate races are key to the GOP’s chances of either holding on to the Senate or increasing their lead. Two key GOP seats are at stake; in Arizona, GOP candidate Congresswoman Martha McSally is in a tightly contested race with Democratic Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema for the seat vacated by GOP Senator Jeff Flake; in Nevada incumbent GOP Senator Dean Heller is locked in a combative race with Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen. In Utah, former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romey is a shoo-in to win the Senate seat vacated by GOP Senator Orrin Hatch; there is no Senate race in Oklahoma, and in New Mexico, incumbent Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich is running for reelection against Republican nominee Mick Rich, a businessman, and Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson, who served twice as GOP Governor of the state. In all polls, Heinrich has a commanding lead.
Key House races in the five states include Arizona’s 2nd district, where GOP candidate Lea Marquez Peterson is facing Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick for the House seat vacated by Martha McSally; Utah’s 4th district, where GOP incumbent Mia Love is running against Democrat Ben McAdams; Nevada’s 3rd district
New Mexico’s 2nd district is another key race: Susie Lee, a Democrat, is facing Republican Danny Tarkanian for the House seat held by Democrat Jacky Rosen, who is challenging Dean Heller, and Nevada’s 4th district, where GOP candidate Cresent Hardy is facing off against Democrat Steven Horsford.
All times EST
9:30 p.m.
In Oklahoma, in the race to replace Republican Governor Mary Fallin, with 63% of precincts reporting, GOP candidate Kevin Stitt leads his Democratic opponent, Drew Edmondson, 55%-41%. Four of the five house districts are being won by Republicans, and the fifth is a nail-biter, in the 5th district.