Races and faces to watch in mid-term US elections

Washington: There are a number of important races taking place on Tuesday in the mid-term elections in the United States, when Americans go to the polls to elect governors and members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

Here is an overview of the most interesting contests:

Beto-mania

One of the most expensive and best-watched Senate races is in Texas, where incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz faces Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke.

O'Rourke, 46, whose names are Robert Francis but that of Beto, throws an extremely strong challenge to Cruz, 47, in the "Lone Star State" Republican.

A three-year-old congressman and former member of a punk band, O'Rourke enjoys the enthusiastic support of many Texas citizens, while Cruz succeeds better in conservative rural areas.

Winning the seat in Cruz's Senate, which fought against Donald Trump for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidency, would be a major victory for the Democratic Party.

Dueling candidates

A woman representing the southwestern state of the US Senate in Arizona will be represented for the first time by two women. Jeff Flake, a Trump critic, does not show up for seat.

The Republican flag bearer is Martha McSally, a former 52-year-old US Air Force fighter pilot and a member of the House of Representatives for two terms.

The Democratic opponent of McSally is Kyrsten Sinema, 42, a member of the House of Representatives for three terms and who spent several years of her childhood in poverty after the divorce of her parents.

McSally and Sinema are neck and neck in a state that President Donald Trump won by 3.5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.

Democrats in danger

Democratic Senate candidates risk losing their seats in Missouri, North Dakota and Indiana.

In Missouri – which Trump won by 18 points in 2016 – 65-year-old Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill faces a daunting challenge from Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley.

Trump personally campaigned for Hawley, 38, and called him a rising star of the party.

In North Dakota – which Trump won by 36 points in 2016 – 63-year-old Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp is fighting for political survival against Republican Kevin Cramer.

Cramer, 57, who has served three terms in the House of Representatives, is currently leading the polls.

In Indiana, Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly, 63, has a small lead over his Republican challenger Mike Braun, a 64-year-old businessman, in a state that Trump had won by 19 points in 2016.

Bob Menendez, a 64-year-old New Jersey Democrat who has served in the Senate since 2006, may also be in trouble after being accused of corruption.

The case resulted in a suspended jury and a lawsuit for annulment and the charges were withdrawn. Menendez is challenged by Republican businessman Bob Hugin, 64 years old.

An eye on Florida

Two of the country's most watched races take place in Florida.

Democrat Bill Nelson, 76, was first elected to the Senate in 2000 and was easily re-elected in 2006 and 2012.

But Nelson, a payload specialist on a space shuttle in 1986, faces a daunting challenge for Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott.

Gun control is a major problem in the race after the February shootout at a high school in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people.

Another tight race in Florida is for the governor to replace Scott, 65.

Democratic Andrew Gillum, 39, the African-American mayor of Tallahbadee, is battling a fierce battle with 40-year-old Ron DeSantis, a member of the House of Representatives and a staunch supporter of Trump.

Trump personally campaigned for DeSantis and had harsh words for Gillum, who is seen by some as a potential future star of the Democratic Party.

First black housekeeper

In Georgia, Stacy Abrams, 44, former minority leader in the House of Representatives, is running against Republican Brian Kemp, 55, secretary of state of Georgia.

Abrams, who has received support from Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities, would be the first black woman to become governor of a US state if she wins.

The race saw allegations that Kemp would have tried to prevent tens of thousands of mostly black voters from participating in the elections.