It used to be common for a state’s residents to vote for a Senate candidate of one party and a presidential candidate from the other. Over time, as politics became increasingly nationalized, those divisions largely disappeared.

Republicans on Saturday were close to clinching control of the U.S. House of Representatives, a critical element for President-elect Donald Trump to advance his agenda when he returns to the White House in January.

As counting continues, the president-elect's party is just three seats short of a majority in the House of Representatives

The president-elect’s backing, if he offers it, would have a huge and potentially decisive effect on the three-man race.