Democrats gain House seats, Republicans hold onto Senate as voters weigh in on Trump

Democrats seized control of House while Republicans fortified their hold on the Senate as voters stormed the polls Tuesday to render the first electoral judgment on the tumultuous presidency of Donald Trump.

Riding a wave of discontent that drew hordes of first-time voters, Democrats picked up House seats in blue states, red and purple ones - from New York to Oklahoma, New Jersey to Colorado, Florida to Minnesota and Texas.

Democrats had claimed at least 23 of the seats needed to seize control of the chamber even before results came in from California, which had a half dozen contests considered too close to call.

The takeover marked the third time in 12 years that the chamber traded partisan hands, a level of volatility unmatched since the years after World War II.

The party also picked up governorships in Illinois, Kansas and Michigan.