Election 2023 results: Democrats pick up wins on Ohio abortion ballot measure, Kentucky governor's race and Virginia Legislature

CBS News projects Republican Tate Reeves wins reelection as Mississippi governor, defeating Democratic challenger, Brandon Presley.

Reeves will serve a second term in office with his victory, which extends Republicans' two decades of control of Mississippi's governorship.  

Reeves, running for a second term, has been dogged by scandal. At least $77 million in federal funds intended for Mississippi's poor were either misspent or given to wealthy and connected Mississippians in the years between 2017 and 2020, when Reeves was lieutenant governor, according to the state auditor's office. Reeves has denied any wrongdoing. 

Virginia Democrats who campaigned on protecting abortion rights swept Tuesday's legislative elections, retaking full control of the General Assembly after two years of divided power, The Associated Press reported. 

The outcome is a sharp loss for Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who exerted a great deal of energy, money and political capital on an effort to secure a GOP trifecta.

Virginia Democrats held their majority in the state Senate Tuesday, but control of the House of Delegates remained unsettled late into the evening, with vote counting still underway in key races.

The Democrats' victory in the upper chamber ended the prospect of a Republican trifecta that would have allowed Gov. Glenn Youngkin to swiftly move on conservative policy priorities that Senate Democrats have been able to stymie in his first two years in office. The chamber has been under Democratic control since 2020.

Democrat Daniel McCaffery, a judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, has defeated Republican Carolyn Carluccio in the race for an open seat on the state Supreme Court, according to the Associated Press. McCaffery's win gives Democrats a 5-2 majority on the seven-member bench heading into 2024.

While the court already had a 4-2 Democratic majority, they have deadlocked at 3-3 on two cases about mail voting. McCaffery's vote could now be a tiebreaker vote. 

McCaffery's victory over Carluccio is the latest win for abortion-rights proponents in statewide races across the country and follows a closely watched race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where a win by the Democratic-backed candidate in April flipped control of the court and gave Democratic-backed justices a 4-3 majority.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, applauded the outcome of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race, saying in a statement that across the state, "voters proved that there is no such thing as an 'off-year' election for abortion rights — a driving force in this race."

"They came out not only to elect a candidate who will support their freedom, but to educate their communities about the stakes," she said in a statement. "From protecting abortion access to ensuring that every vote counts, state judiciaries play a critical role in shaping our futures and our democracy for generations to come."

— Melissa Quinn and Aaron Navarro 

Democrat Schuyler VanValkenburg won a key seat in the Virginia state Senate Tuesday, unseating an incumbent Republican and aiding his party's efforts to hold onto its majority and derail GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's conservative agenda, the Associated Press reported.

The balance of power in both the Virginia state House and state Senate were at stake Tuesday, as Democrats tried to deny Youngkin a trifecta, control of the both houses of Legislature and the governor's mansion.

Kimberly Mata-Rubio, whose 10-year-old daughter Lexi was killed in the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting, lost her bid Tuesday night to become mayor in Uvalde, according to The Associated Press. 

Mata-Rubio, who had been a reporter for the Uvalde News-Leader, has since the shooting called for stricter gun laws. She said she was running to honor her daughter, and to unify the community.

"I'll never stop fighting for you, Lexi," Mata-Rubio posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "I meant it when I said this was only the beginning. After all, I'm not a regular mom. I'm Lexi's mom."

She was defeated by former Mayor Cody Smith. The outgoing mayor, Don McLaughlin is stepping down to run for a seat in the Texas Legislature.

Yusef Salaam, who was one of the "Central Park 5" who were exonerated in 2005, has won his race for a New York City Council seat.

Salaam, a Democrat, will represent a seat in Harlem. He was running unopposed on Tuesday. 

Salaam was one of five teenagers who were accused of brutally raping and beating a White woman, Trisha Meili, in Central Park in 1989. Meili, then 28, was found by passersby battered and unconscious, and was so beaten that investigators couldn't immediately identify her. She remained in a coma for 12 days before waking up with brain damage and little memory of the attack.

Investigators focused on five teens — Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise — who had been in the park that night, and the case set off a media frenzy. They were referred to as the "Wolf Pack," and then-businessman Donald Trump took out a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for a return to the death penalty for the teens.

There were inconsistencies in the teens' confessions — and none of them confessed to the crime but instead blamed others — and their accounts did not match the details of the attack, and there was a lack of physical evidence. The teens were convicted anyway in their 1990 trial, and they each served between seven and a half to 13 and a half years in prison. 

A decade later, Matias Reyes, a convicted rapist, confessed to the crime while behind bars, and DNA evidence corroborated his account. In 2002, the five defendants' convictions were vacated, and they later won a lawsuit against the city. 

CBS News projects that Ohio's Issue 2, on marijuana legalization, will pass. The issue allows adults over 21 to legally purchase, possess and grow marijuana for recreational use.

The White House said President Biden spoke with Cherelle Parker, who was projected to win the Philadelphia mayor's race, to offer her congratulations on her victory.

CBS News projected that Parker defeated Republican opponent David Oh to become the first woman to lead Philadelphia as mayor.

President Biden spoke Tuesday night with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to congratulate him, the White House said.

CBS News projected that Beshear defeated Republican challenger Daniel Cameron, the current attorney general of Kentucky.

CBS News projects that Ohio's Issue 1 will pass.

"Yes" was boosted by huge support from groups that are traditionally supportive of abortion rights such and liberals and Democrats

And while both men and women backed "yes", women voted "yes" in larger numbers, particularly women under 30 - more than eight in 10 of them voted "yes" on issue 1.

Roughly 70% of single women voted "yes" compared to just over half of married women.

The "yes" side was helped with a little support from Republicans - one in five voted yes, that's more than twice as many that voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Moderate Republicans were more likely to vote "yes" than conservative ones.

— Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

CBS News projects that Ohio's Issue 1 will pass. The issue amends the state's constitution to protect access to abortion, enshrining an "individual right to one's own reproductive medical treatment."

More than half of men are currently backing "yes" on Ohio's Issue 1, but women are doing so in even higher numbers. 

What might be driving this difference? More women voters are angry about the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

The question before voters with Issue 1 is whether to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to abortion.

— Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus 

CBS News projects Democrat Andy Beshear wins reelection as governor of Kentucky, defeating his Republican challenger, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Beshear continued to extend his lead over Cameron with 83% of the vote in, winning nearly 53% of the vote to Cameron's 47%.

In his victory speech, Beshear said, "Tonight, Kentucky made a choice, a choice not to move to the right or to the left, but to move forward for every single family, a choice to reject team R or team D, and to state clearly that we are one team Kentucky."

CBS News estimates the race for Kentucky governor is now likely in favor of Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear.

Besehear is facing Republican Daniel Cameron, the current attorney general who had the backing of both former President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. With 75% of the vote in, Beshear is leading Cameron by more than 48,000 votes.

CBS News projects that Democrat Gabriel Amo wins the special election to represent Rhode Island's First Congressional District, defeating Republican opponent Gerry Leonard. Amo makes history with his win, as he is the first person of color elected to represent Rhode Island in Congress.

The special election was held to fill the seat left vacant after Democratic Rep. David Cicilline resigned earlier this year. 

Amo, a former White House aide, defeated a slew of candidates, including several current members of the state legislature, running in the Democratic primary in September to move on to the general election. He was endorsed by former Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy, who held the seat from 1995 to 2011.

Amo pledged that if elected to Congress, he would work to ban assault-style weapons and fight for universal background checks. He also supports efforts to codify the right to abortion into federal law.

— Melissa Quinn and Jake Miller  

 CBS News projects Democrat Cherelle Parker wins the race for mayor of Philadelphia, defeating Republican opponent David Oh.

With her win, Parker will become the first woman to serve as Philadelphia's mayor. A former state legislator and member of the city council, Parker received endorsements from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She will become the city's 100th mayor when she takes office in January.

— Melissa Quinn and Jake Miller 

"We continue to see no deliberate nefarious activities that should cause anyone to question the security, integrity or resilience of the election," a senior cyber security official at CISA told reporters. "We understand that in one state, in one county, officials are working through an issue relevant to two races," the official added. Officials declined to offer more details on this last point. 

But they did acknowledge they're aware of minor issues at state board election sites in Kentucky and Mississippi, as well as reports of a couple of voting machine issues in North Carolina.  

"What we've seen today is pretty routine activity," the official noted, before referring reporters to states for specific details and additional context. "We're not seeing any indication there's any deliberate, nefarious cyber activity today," the official emphasized. 

CBS News estimates the race for Kentucky governor now leans in favor of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.

Beshear, who is seeking a second term in office, is facing off against Republican Daniel Cameron, Kentucky's attorney general. With 53% of the vote in, Beshear leads Cameron by more than 43,000 votes.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is running for reelection against moderate Democrat Brandon Presley, a second cousin of Elvis Presley. 

The winner must get 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff. 

 Issue 1: Right to abortion

CBS News currently estimates Ohio Issue 1 as lean "yes."

A win for "yes" would enshrine abortion rights in Ohio's state constitution. 

The "yes" vote on Issue 1 in Ohio is benefiting from an electorate that currently looks more Democratic than it did in 2020 and 2022, according to exit polls. Republicans still have an edge in party affiliation but it's narrower than it was in last year's midterms. 

Democrats are overwhelmingly backing "yes" — about nine in 10 are. Most Republicans are voting "no" but about one in five of them are backing "yes" right now.

Overall, majorities of both men (54%) and women (61%) are voting "yes" but women are doing so in greater numbers, particularly younger women and single women.

Issue 2: Legalize Marijuana

CBS News currently estimates Ohio Issue 2 as lean "yes." 

A win for "yes" would legalize adult marijuana use in Ohio. 

Right now, exit polls show the "yes" side boosted by huge support among voters under 30. 

Almost nearly nine in 10 of them are backing "yes" right now. 

Exit poll results may change as CBS News obtains more data.

This CBS News Ohio exit poll includes in-person interviews with Election Day voters and interviews by phone, email and text-to-web invitations that measured the views of absentee/by mail voters and early voters. The surveys were conducted by Edison Research on behalf of the National Election Pool.

— Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus

As polls closed in Ohio at 7:30 p.m. ET, CBS News estimates that Issue 1, the ballot measure to amend the state constitution and establish a right to abortion, is leaning yes.

A majority "yes" vote — 50% plus one vote — is needed for the ballot measure to pass.

Jake Miller contributed to this post.

At polls closing in Kentucky, CBS News estimates the race for Kentucky governor is a toss-up.

Kentucky's incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is hoping to fend off a challenge from Attorney General Daniel Cameron. An Emerson College poll last week had the race in a dead heat. 

Polls have now closed in Virginia, where control of the state Legislature is on the ballot, and in Kentucky, where voters cast their ballots in the governor's race.

Ohio voters are weighing in on a ballot measure to establish a constitutional right to abortion in what will be an early test of whether Democrats can successfully use the issue to mobilize voters in next year's elections.

Issue 1 is the only abortion-related proposal that is directly before voters this year. But following the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade roughly 17 months ago, Ohio is one of several states where abortion rights supporters are looking to citizen-driven ballot initiatives to expand reproductive rights after stringent restrictions were allowed to take effect.

If voters approve Issue 1 and agree to amend the state constitution to enshrine abortion rights, it would extend the winning streak by pro-abortion rights groups after they saw success in all six states where abortion-related measures were on ballots last year. 

Read more here.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu discusses the challenges facing Republican candidates in the upcoming primaries, and says he'll make a 2024 endorsement by the end of the year, in an interview with CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa. 

It's Election Day in Ohio and the issue of abortion is directly on the ballot.

More than a year after the Dobbs decision, early exit polls show an Ohio electorate that is dissatisfied about the overturn of Roe v. Wade, including almost four in 10 who are angry about it.

Women, Democrats, younger voters are particularly unhappy with Roe's overturn.

Not everyone holds this view. Republicans, conservatives and white evangelical voters casting ballots in this election are mostly satisfied with the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe.

These early exit poll results indicate that most Ohioans voting in this election feel that abortion should be legal in all or most cases — about six in 10 do — this is similar to what we've seen among adults nationwide in recent CBS News polling.

On the issue of abortion, slightly more voters here trust the Democratic Party over the Republican Party.

It's not only the issue of abortion that's on the minds of Ohio voters, but the economy and finances too.

More Ohio voters say their finances are worse, not better, compared to what they were three years ago and related to that — it's the Republican Party who is trusted more than the Democratic Party by Ohio voters to handle the economy — particularly among those who say their finances are worse.

President Biden lost the state of Ohio in 2020 by eight points, and today, most Ohio voters disapprove of the job he is doing as president.

We are one year out from the 2024 election, with Mr. Biden running for reelection and former President Donald Trump leading the GOP field for the Republican nomination.

There is a sizable portion of the Ohio electorate who aren't that excited about the prospect of either Trump or Mr. Biden running for president: four in 10 Ohio voters don't think either of these candidates should be running for president.

Exit poll results may change as CBS News gets more data.

This CBS News Ohio exit poll includes in-person interviews with Election Day voters and interviews by phone, email and text-to-web invitations that measured the views of absentee/by mail voters and early voters. The surveys were conducted by Edison Research on behalf of the National Election Pool.

— Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus 

More women think access to reproductive care is getting harder, not easier, in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade — and more than half of women say that being pregnant in the U.S. today is becoming more dangerous from a health-care perspective. Few think it is becoming safer.

But given the choice, abortion opponents would take this tradeoff: living in a state with fewer women's health doctors or maternity centers, if that meant also more restrictions on abortion, too. 

See CBS News' latest poll on abortion here. 

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is trying to defend his seat in Republican-leaning Kentucky against GOP challenger, Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

As recently as mid-October, Beshear was leading by 16 points, but an Emerson College poll from last week had the race in a dead heat, with both candidates at 47% and 4% undecided. One of the more troubling signs for Beshear was that in October, 54% of former President Donald Trump's supporters planned on supporting Cameron, but that number shot up to 79% last week — a 22% increase. Trump won the state by 26 points in 2020, making his voters essential to Beshear's reelection hopes. 

Read more here.

Democrat Brandon Presley, Elvis Presley's second cousin, is trying to oust Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, and he may have a shot in the deep-red state. Mississippi hasn't had a Democratic governor in two decades, but the 46-year-old Presley, a moderate, is trying to change that. He campaigned on expanding Medicaid and on supporting the state's sweeping abortion ban. 

Reeves has been dogged by scandal. At least $77 million in federal funds intended for Mississippi's poor were allegedly misspent or given to well-connected Mississippians from 2017-2020, when Reeves was lieutenant governor, according to the state auditor's office. Reeves denies any wrongdoing. 

Read more here.

Things are looking "routine and standard" on Election Day, a senior official from the nation's cyber security agency CISA said Tuesday.

"We continue to see no specific or critical threat to disrupt election infrastructure or Election Day operations," the official said Tuesday, reports Nicole Sganga. As voters go to the polls, the official also said the agency is "not seeing anything at this time that indicates any type of nefarious activity," though "Mother nature or human error" may cause some disruptions across the states voting on Tuesday.