Donald Trump gets mixed news in special elections

Republicans won one but lost another special election Tuesday in what will be received as mixed news for U.S. President Donald Trump.

In Connecticut State House District 139, Democratic Party candidate Larry Pemberton beat Republican candidate Brandon Sabbag with 64.5 percent of the vote to Sabbag’s 28.5 percent, with more than 95 percent of the votes were counted, according to the Associated Press (AP).

In Alabama State House District 63, Republican candidate Norman Crow, a Tuscaloo City Council member won with 64.5 percent of the vote share. His Democratic challenger, Judith Taylor, a retired college professor, won 35.5 percent of the vote, after 95 percent of the vote was counted, according to the AP.

Why It Matters

While these elections were local and Trump was not on the ballot, elections that take place during a president’s term in office are often used as a benchmark to judge the extent to which an administration commands broad support.

They are likely to be under extra scutiny given voters head to the midterm elections in November, when the GOP is looking to protect its slim majority in both chambers of Congress. In October, Trump expressed concerns the party may perform poorly in the midterms, threatening his ability to pass key legistlation through Congress.

This is a developing story; updates to follow.