US President Donald Trump has claimed the Republicans' performance in the US midterm elections is a "tremendous success" - despite losing overall control of Congress.
The Democrats have taken back control of the House of Representatives, meaning the president now faces a much tougher time putting his agenda into action.
But Mr Trump - who declared on the eve of polling day that "everything we have achieved is at stake" - will delight in the fact the Republicans managed to keep control of the Senate.
And it was likely this fact that he was referencing when he tweeted: "Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"
Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Americans have "had enough of division", declaring: "Tomorrow will be a new day in America."
A blue takeover of Congress would have been a disaster for the president - and increased the chances of his opponents launching efforts to remove him from office through impeachment.
But as the dust settles on the elections, which are viewed as a referendum on the sitting president, Mr Trump will likely be breathing a sigh of relief.
US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks about Democratic gains in the House of Representatives to a crowd of Democratic supporters in Washington | Image: Jacquelyn Martin/AP/Press Association Images
Despite waves of losses in the House there were bright spots to celebrate for the Republicans in the Senate.
Ted Cruz held off the challenge of Beto O'Rourke in Texas, while the party unseated the Democratic incumbents in Florida, Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri.
However, Democrats will view House victories in states like Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Minnesota as cause for optimism as they prepare to hold the president to account in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.
The party will also welcome a number of victories in the races for state governor - with wins over the Republicans in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Maine and New Mexico.
This election cycle - which had a record number of women elected to the House - also saw a number of firsts.
Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who are both Democrats, will be the first Muslim women to serve in Congress.
We did this, together.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/TywZwt2dR3
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 7, 2018
Rashida Tlaib is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants | Image via @RashidaTlaib on Twitter
Massachusetts has its first black congresswoman - Ayanna Pressley winning the state's seventh district.
Meanwhile, Arizona and Tennessee both elected the first female senators in state history.
Joining the history books were New Mexico Democrat Deb Haaland and Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids who were elected as the first two Native American women to serve in Congress.
Ms Davids (38), who is a trained lawyer and a former mixed martial arts fighter, is also openly lesbian, in a state that is traditionally conservative.
Thank you, #KS03. pic.twitter.com/sRKrFv7eIv
— Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) November 7, 2018
At 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is still paying off her student loans and until recently had no health insurance, became the youngest woman elected to Congress - marking a dramatic victory for the new wave of progressive Democrats.
She became the national face of young, discontented Democrats - often women and minorities - after she defeated 10-term representative Joe Crowley in New York's Democratic congressional primary last spring.
She beat her Republican opponent Anthony Pappas to take a seat in the House of Representatives, representing the 14th congressional district of New York, and told her supporters following confirmation of her success, "a better world is possible".
In Colorado, Democrat Jared Polis became the first openly gay man to be elected governor of a US state.
Captured the moment the Democratic party crowd goes wild as CNN projects victory for @PolisForCO. #copolitics #co pic.twitter.com/sIe5KMwcLh
— Grant J Stringer (@StringerJourno) November 7, 2018
In another first, Republican Marsha Blackburn became the first female senator of Tennessee, replacing retiring Republican senator Bob Corker.
She has served eight terms in the House and is viewed as one of the most conservative members of that chamber.
"Now you don't have to worry if you're going to call me congressman, or congresswoman or congress lady," she said in her victory speech.
"Now, senator will do."
