Democrats eye Senate expansion with tight Mississippi and Alaska races

The Democratic Party may expand its midterm election victory, with tight races in Mississippi and Alaska potentially giving them up to 56 of 100 Senate seats. Final results in both states remain pending due to close margins and ongoing vote counting. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 2,000 votes, with mail-in ballots expected to favor Democrats. Alaska's race is similarly close, with Democrat Mary Peltola ahead by roughly 600 votes, though ranked-choice voting could extend counting until November 18. Winning both seats would strengthen Democrats' Senate position through 2032, complicating Republican efforts to regain control. Experts note the victories signal a significant Democratic wave, though a 56-seat majority faces limits from presidential veto power and could shift the party's focus toward more moderate policies.