US Midterm Elections: Democrats gains three congressional seats in Iowa

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Iowa was a focus of this hotly-contested campaign. Democrats won three of the state's four congressional seats. But Republicans also had reason to celebrate, as CGTN's Dan Williams reports.

Voters in Iowa turned out in record numbers at this midterm election. And there was plenty at stake. Ahead of the vote, the Governorship and three of the four House seats were all Republican. The polls suggested change with Democrats tipped to make significant gains. But the polls were wrong two years ago and Republican supporters were hopeful of causing a similar shock.

"Trump does things that other people say he can't do. And I would like to think that the party is going to do what the general public and history say it can't."

Healthcare was a key issue in Iowa on the campaign trail. Another was trade. The ongoing trade dispute between the US and China has led soybean prices to drop below the cost of production. Despite putting pressure on Iowa's agricultural industry, it was unclear whether it would be a factor at the polls.

At the Democratic Election Party, the early signs suggested a blue wave was possible. But in the end, Democrat candidate Fred Hubble's bid for Governor fell short, with Republican Kim Reynolds just holding on.

FRED HUBBLE, DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE FOR IOWA GOVERNOR "Although tonight didn't turn out the way we would have liked, the energy and the support that we received along the way is proof that a lot of Iowan's know we need change."

DAN WILLIAMSDES MOINES, IOWA "The Democrats may have missed out the Governorship but there was still plenty for their supporters to celebrate. Two flipped seats mean it is now the Democrats who control three out of four congressional seats."

Among the Democrat winners, Cindy Axne, who claimed Iowa's third congressional seat.

CINDY AXNEIOWA'S 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WINNER "It just goes to show that those democratic values, those Iowa values, those values of hard work, of family, of helping others in our communities, and those messages resonated with the people of Iowa and they wanted to elect people that they know would stand up for those values."

Despite those gains for the Democrats, the Republicans will continue to run Iowa's government. In the end, it was a night of mixed emotions for both parties in the state. Dan Williams, CGTN Des Moines Iowa.