Blue Wave Sweeps Nation, GOP Loses in Texas and South Carolina, Donalds Wins Florida: AM Update 11/4

Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Jaschinski, host of After Party and the Megyn Kelly Wrap-Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111. It's Wednesday, November 4th, 2026. This is your AM Update. A blue wave sweeps across the country as Democrats take control of Congress, pull off major upsets in Republican strongholds, and deliver a devastating blow to President Trump's agenda. South Carolina, you have shown the nation that in this era of partisan divides that we will not bow down. A stunning upset in South Carolina as Democrat Annie Andrews defeats Senator Darlene Graham, despite millions in last-minute Republican spending to save the seat. We just took back Texas. A historic political earthquake in Texas as Democrat James Tallarico defeats Ken Paxton, flipping a Senate seat Republicans have held for nearly four decades. I am fighting to make sure that this rest of this nation looks like the state of Florida. And Republicans sweeping Florida's top races as Byron Donalds makes history and Ashley Moody wins a closely watched Senate contest. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. Good news. Birch Gold has extended the Veterans Day silver offer through November 11th. So act now to get a free one-ounce silver coin for every $10,000 purchased. This silver coin features the American flag and the Gadsden flag and is a reminder that you saw the writing on the wall and did something about it. You realized we cannot afford the interest payments on our national debt. You realized inflation is still a challenge and it's time to diversify into gold and silver. Text MK to the number 989898 today and speak with a Birch Gold precious metals specialist. They will help you convert an existing IRA or 401k into an IRA in gold and silver and then you will receive a free one-ounce silver coin. free one-ounce silver commemorative coin for every $10,000 you spend. But this offer ends on November 11th. Diversify into gold and silver and get free silver. Text MK to the number 989898. That's MK to 989898 today. Democrats sweeping key battleground states in a decisive blue wave, capturing control of Congress and dealing a major blow to President Trump's second term agenda. As of midnight last night, Democrats winning Senate races in some of the country's most reliably Republican states as voters deliver a sweeping rebuke of the president and his party. The results extending into the house. NBC News projecting Democrats will capture approximately 255 seats compared to just 184 Republicans. The party entering election day needing a net gain of just three seats to reclaim the majority, ultimately making significant gains in districts President Trump carried by double digits in 2024. Republicans losing their green on the Senate as well, handing Democrats control of both chambers for the first time since Mr. Trump returned to the White House. Some of the night's biggest surprises coming in states Republicans had been expected to defend. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeating incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from the state since 1932. Marshall facing scrutiny throughout the campaign over allegations involving billing practices at his medical office. As rising diesel prices and President Trump's tariffs put additional pressure on Kansas voters. In Ohio, former Democrat Senator Sherrod Brown defeating incumbent Republican Senator John Husted. Democrats picking up another Republican-held seat in North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper defeating former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Watley. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeating longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. Several other races remaining too close to call as of midnight. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ahead of Republican former Congressman Mike Rogers, 49.9% to 48.2%, as 46.2% of the vote had been counted. In Mississippi, Republican Senator Cindy Hyde Smith maintaining a lead over Democrat Scott Collum, 49.8% to 48.1%, as 92.1% of the vote had been counted. The results reflecting widespread frustration over the direction of the country as President Trump's declining approval ratings, the war in Iran, and percent cost of living pressures weigh on Republican candidates. Economic anxiety and opposition to the war becoming major factors in the election, as Republicans struggle to separate themselves from the President. Mr. Trump distancing himself from the losses, posting on Truth Social, quote, I wasn't on the ballot, and if I was, we would have won in a landslide. Thank you for your attention to this matter. The President already signaling how he intends to confront a Democrat-controlled Congress. Just before midnight, the President posting an image to Truth Social showing a bright red hat emblazoned with the word VETO in capital letters. A stunning political upset in South Carolina, where Democrat Annie Andrews has defeated Republican Senator Darlene Graham, flipping a Senate seat that has been in Republican hands for more than six decades. Andrews winning in one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 midterms, in a state President Trump carried by more than 17 points just two years ago. As of midnight last night, Andrews has won in one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 midterms, in a state Andrews leading Graham 51% to 46.8%. The victory making Andrews a pediatrician and mother, South Carolina's first Democrat Senator in more than 20 years, and one of the most shocking election results of the night. Here, Andrews addressing supporters following her historic victory. I think we just made some history. So, South Carolina, you have shown the nation what is possible. You have shown the nation that in this era, of partisan divides, of vitriol and name-calling, in a politics dominated by billionaires and special interest groups and insiders in Washington, D.C., that we will not bow down. And today, you have elected a Senator that will always put South Carolina first. I want to start by thanking Darlene Graham for her public service and her love for South Carolina. And I wish her and her family well. And I just spoke with her, and she congratulated me on our victory tonight. The result ending a tumultuous campaign for Graham, who entered the race following the sudden death of her brother, longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The five-term Senator died in July from a heart condition, prompting Governor Henry McMaster to appoint Graham's sister to serve out the remainder of his term. Darlene Graham, a 62-year-old former state government administrator, previously served as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. President Trump quickly threw her out of office, and she was able to get a job. She was able to get a job at the Supreme Court in the United States, and she was able to get a job at the Supreme Court in the United States, and she was able to get a job at the Supreme Court in the United States, and she was able to I would trade this all a thousand times over to have my brother back, but God had a different plan. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am to have been our party's nominee and how hard our team fought, and I am so very proud of them. Graham's path to victory marked by questions about her readiness for the job, particularly following a widely criticized performance during an August primary debate. Asked about the importance of Taiwan and the South China Sea to U.S. national security, Graham acknowledging that she was not sufficiently informed on the issue to answer. The admission drawing criticism from members of her own party, particularly given her late brother's prominent role in shaping Republican foreign policy. The contest growing increasingly competitive through September, when the Cook Political Report moved South Carolina from its solid Republican column to likely Republican. Graham struggling to build the campaign operation after entering the race in the middle of the election cycle, as Andrews built a substantial fundraising program to help build the campaign operation, and Graham struggling to build the campaign operation. By October, national Republicans scrambling to protect what had once appeared to be an overwhelmingly safe seat. Axios first reporting that the Senate Leadership Fund, the leading Republican Senate super PAC, was committing $5 million to Graham's campaign, an extraordinary investment in a state Republicans had dominated for decades. President Trump personally campaigning for Graham and repeatedly attacking Andrews as Republican groups poured money into the race in the final weeks. The last minute, and the last minute, and the last minute, and the last minute, ultimately failing to prevent a Democrat victory, giving Andrews a six-year term and delivering Republicans one of the night's most consequential Senate losses. Coming up, a major upset in Texas as James Tallarico defeats Ken Paxton despite massive Republican spending and President Trump's personal intervention in the race, and Republicans holding on to two key offices in Florida as Byron Donalds wins the governor's race and Ashley Moody defeats her socialist challenger. Everyone's talking about weight loss injections because the results can be so dramatic. They work by lowering blood sugar and reducing appetite. 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Democrat James Tallarico beating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending more than three decades of Republican dominance in statewide elections. Tallarico's victory delivering a major blow to President Trump, who personally intervened in the Republican primary to help Paxton unseat four-term Senator John Cornyn. Texas last electing a Democrat to statewide office in 1994 and last sending a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 1988. President Trump carrying the state by nearly 14 points just two years ago, making Tallarico's victory a remarkable victory. For Republicans, as of midnight last night, Tallarico capturing 58.5% of the vote compared to Paxton's 39.8%, dramatically outperforming the final real clear polling average, which had shown the Democrat ahead by just 2.6 points. Here, Tallarico addressing supporters following the historic results. We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas. We just showed that a politics of division is no match for a politics of love. And we just sent a message to every billionaire megadonor, every trillionaire megadonor, every corrupt defender of this broken political system. In this state, in this country, power belongs to the people. The result putting President Trump's decision to back Paxton over four-term incumbent Senator John Cornyn under renewed scrutiny after Republican leaders warned that Paxton would be a weaker general election candidate. Mr. Trump endorsing Paxton shortly before the May primary runoff, helping him defeat Cornyn despite years of legal and personal controversies, including his 2023 impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House. The state Senate ultimately acquitting Paxton, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Even Mr. Trump publicly mocking Paxton's presentation on the campaign trail while urging Republicans to support him. The fact is that some may not like the way he dresses. I don't. They may not like the way he talks. I can see that, you know. The contest ultimately becoming the most expensive Senate race in American history, as Republican donors spent extraordinary sums attempting to hold a seat that had once appeared safely in their column. Elon Musk contributing, $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in September, money subsequently directed toward a super PAC supporting Paxton. President Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC committing another $10 million in early September. The Democrat proving to be a formidable fundraiser himself, raising approximately $146 million by mid-October, according to the Washington Post. Tallarico, a state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, campaigning heavily on economic concerns and his Christian faith, portraying Paxton as part of a political system, serving wealthy donors rather than ordinary Texans. Republicans attacking Tallarico over previous remarks about Christianity and gender, including his comment that God is non-binary. Tallarico later acknowledging that some of his provocative comments were poorly expressed. Senator Cornyn responding to the results on X last night, congratulating Tallarico on his election and offering to assist him through the transition. Another major upset in the Texas governor's race, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeating Republican Governor Greg Abbott, denying him an unprecedented fourth term. Abbott conceding shortly after 10 p.m. last night, confirming he had called Hinojoso to congratulate her. Hinojosa becoming Texas's first Latina governor and the first Democrat to hold the office since Ann Richards lost re-election in 1994. In Florida, Republicans holding onto the governor's mansion and a key U.S. Senate seat. Congressman Byron Donalds and Senator Ashley Moody both securing victories in yesterday's midterm elections. Donalds defeating former Republican congressman turned Democrat David Jolly, becoming the first Black governor in Florida's history. Donalds set to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in January. As of midnight last night, Donalds winning 50% of the vote to Jolly's 48.7% in a state where Republicans hold a roughly 1.5 million voter registration advantage. Donalds entering the race in February of last year with President Trump's endorsement already secured. Governor DeSantis taking considerably longer to offer his support, waiting until September after Donalds had secured the Republican nomination. Donalds addressing supporters following his victory last night. The truth is, in our state, we have people who are struggling. We have people who are looking at their insurance bills. We have people who are looking at their bank accounts, not month in, month out, day in, day out, trying to figure out how they're going to make ends meet. And my mission as Florida's next governor is to make sure that they can build a great life here in the great state of Florida. Donalds' victory extending Republican control of the governor's mansion, which Democrats have not won since 1994. His election preserving Republican control of a state that will play an important role in the 2028 presidential contest as Florida's 30 electoral votes have become a reliable part of the Republican presidential map. Republicans holding out a majority of their votes in the Senate, including in the Senate, including in the House of Representatives. Moody defeating Democrat State Representative Angie Nixon. Moody, a former Florida Attorney General, appointed to the Senate by Governor DeSantis in January of last year, replacing Marco Rubio following his confirmation as President Trump's Secretary of State. Nixon, a longtime community organizer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, winning an upset victory in the Democratic primary before facing a multi-million dollar Republican advertising campaign highlighting her socialist affiliations. Moody celebrating her victory by urging Republicans across the country to follow Florida's example. In Florida, we say don't F with Florida. And I'm a mom and I mean don't fool with Florida. We have to make sure that people know the answer to every problem isn't to give government more power. We follow the Florida blueprint. And I am telling you, I am fighting to make sure that this rest of this nation looks like the state of Florida. The Senate race proving more competitive than some Republicans had initially anticipated. As of midnight last night, Moody winning 50.9% of the vote to Nixon's 48%. The victory allowing Moody to complete the remaining two years of Rubio's Senate term before facing voters again in 2028. That'll do it for your AM update. I'm Emily Jaschinski, host of Afterparty. Go and check out more at AfterpartyEmily.com. Catch the Megyn Kelly show later today, live on SiriusXM's The Megyn Kelly Channel 111 at Noon East on YouTube.com slash Megyn Kelly and all podcast platforms.