Pakistan, Nov. 3 -- On the eve of Tuesday's American midterms, the final polls showed a Democrat seven points ahead in Texas, where President Donald Trump won comfortably two years ago. James Talarico leads Republican Ken Paxton 50 to 43 per cent. Democrats also lead in Michigan, Ohio and Kansas, while Alaska and Iowa are separated by barely a point or two. Surveys can misread turnout, particularly in Republican territory. Still, these are uncomfortable numbers for a party defending its hold on Congress.

All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are being contested. Republicans hold 218 House seats against the Democrats' 214, with one independent and two vacancies. They control the Senate 53-47. Democrats must secure 218 House seats and ga...