US midterms: Why these elections are ‘different’

The US midterm elections are underway, and there’s a real possibility the Republicans could take control of the Senate or the House, or perhaps both, majorly impacting President Joe Biden’s ability to carry his agenda through the next two years.

The Republicans need a net gain of just one to hold balance of power in the Senate and five in the House and the president has been on the defensive.

Already, there are reports of concerns over voting machines and in crucial states, including Georgia and Pennsylvania, and warnings the count could take days or even weeks.

News Corp US correspondent Tom Minear says there’s “a lot of frustration and anger on both sides of politics about very different issues”, and it’s an unusual midterm election.

“It’s sort of a different election in that you’ve got a former president in Donald Trump that’s really inserted himself in the middle of it,” he told Heidi Murphy, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

Mr Trump has hinted, but has not confirmed, he will run for president again in 2024. He says he’ll make a “very big announcement” on November 15.

Press PLAY below to hear more on the mood in the US + why these midterm elections are “different”

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