cnbc--2020-11-06--Trump campaign divided on path to victory, as some advisors push president to fight on

U.S. President Donald Trump is reflected as he arrives to speak about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , November 5 , 2020 .
There is a growing rift within President Donald Trump 's campaign over the path ahead as Joe Biden leads in Pennsylvania and other key swing states , putting him on the precipice of enough wins to secure an Electoral College victory .
Shortly after NBC News announced Friday morning that Biden surged into the lead in Pennsylvania , Trump 's campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not over . ''
Yet , behind the scenes , several aides privately acknowledge that the president has no clear path to victory , while Trump 's closest advisors are saying otherwise , according to people familiar with the matter .
These people declined to be named in order to speak freely .
Rudy Giuliani , the president 's attorney , is one of the people trying to persuade the president to stay in the race .
The former New York mayor is one of the surrogates who has pushed for legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larry Kudlow , the director of the National Economic Council , told CNBC on Friday that Trump plans to continue to fight back in the election but that there will be a peaceful transition of power if he loses .
A person within Trump 's data operation , however , privately acknowledged that there may not be a clear path for the president to come back .
Rather , the campaign is hanging its hopes on legal efforts that have so far proven to be fruitless in affecting the vote count , this @ @ @

U.S. President Donald Trump is reflected as he arrives to speak about the 2020 U.S. presidential election results in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 5, 2020.
There is a growing rift within President Donald Trump's campaign over the path ahead as Joe Biden leads in Pennsylvania and other key swing states, putting him on the precipice of enough wins to secure an Electoral College victory.
Shortly after NBC News announced Friday morning that Biden surged into the lead in Pennsylvania, Trump's campaign said in a statement that the "election is not over."
Yet, behind the scenes, several aides privately acknowledge that the president has no clear path to victory, while Trump's closest advisors are saying otherwise, according to people familiar with the matter.
These people declined to be named in order to speak freely.
Rudy Giuliani, the president's attorney, is one of the people trying to persuade the president to stay in the race. The former New York mayor is one of the surrogates who has pushed for legal action on behalf of the president.
Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC on Friday that Trump plans to continue to fight back in the election but that there will be a peaceful transition of power if he loses.
A person within Trump's data operation, however, privately acknowledged that there may not be a clear path for the president to come back.
Rather, the campaign is hanging its hopes on legal efforts that have so far proven to be fruitless in affecting the vote count, this person said.


cnbc--2020-11-06--Democrat Mark Kelly projected to win Arizona Senate race, flipping a seat

Mark Kelly will win Arizona 's Senate race , NBC News projected Friday , flipping the second seat of the 2020 election for Democrats .
As of midday , Kelly had a lead of 3.4 percentage points over Republican Sen. Martha McSally , 51.7 % to 48.3 % , with 91 % of the total votes counted .
Kelly has won 1,600,332 votes thus far , an advantage of 103,133 votes over McSally , whose total stands at 1,497,199 votes .
The expected victory would make Arizona the third state where a Senate seat changes hands this year after Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama .
Both parties will have at least 47 seats entering the next Congress .
Kelly , 56 , is a former Navy captain and astronaut , and he is married to former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords , who survived a gunshot to the head in 2011 .
Giffords went on to become a leader of the gun violence prevention movement .
McSally , 54 , also has a military background , having served for more than 25 years in the Air Force , where she became the first woman to fly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lead over McSally in nearly every poll since he first entered the race , a reflection of what both Democratic and Republican strategists said was his overall strength as a candidate .
Kelly 's campaign also vastly out raised McSally 's , although both candidates brought in record-breaking sums for an Arizona political race .
By Sept. 30 , Kelly had raised a total of $ 82.8 million for his campaign , compared with $ 50.9 million by the McSally campaign .
Throughout his campaign , Kelly touted his political independence over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After decades as an independent , in 2018 Kelly registered as a Democrat for the first time .

Mark Kelly will win Arizona's Senate race, NBC News projected Friday, flipping the second seat of the 2020 election for Democrats.
As of midday, Kelly had a lead of 3.4 percentage points over Republican Sen. Martha McSally, 51.7% to 48.3%, with 91% of the total votes counted. Kelly has won 1,600,332 votes thus far, an advantage of 103,133 votes over McSally, whose total stands at 1,497,199 votes.
The expected victory would make Arizona the third state where a Senate seat changes hands this year after Democrats won GOP-controlled Colorado and Republicans carried Democratic-held Alabama.
Both parties will have at least 47 seats entering the next Congress.
Kelly, 56, is a former Navy captain and astronaut, and he is married to former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a gunshot to the head in 2011. Giffords went on to become a leader of the gun violence prevention movement.
McSally, 54, also has a military background, having served for more than 25 years in the Air Force, where she became the first woman to fly a fighter jet in combat.
Kelly maintained a lead over McSally in nearly every poll since he first entered the race, a reflection of what both Democratic and Republican strategists said was his overall strength as a candidate.
Kelly's campaign also vastly out raised McSally's, although both candidates brought in record-breaking sums for an Arizona political race. By Sept. 30, Kelly had raised a total of $82.8 million for his campaign, compared with $50.9 million by the McSally campaign.
Throughout his campaign, Kelly touted his political independence over any ties to the Democratic Party. After decades as an independent, in 2018 Kelly registered as a Democrat for the first time.


cnbc--2020-11-06--GOP pollster says the Biden-Trump election could be called by Saturday afternoon

The winner of the presidential race between Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump should be decided within the next 36 hours , Republican strategist and pollster Frank Luntz told CNBC on Friday morning .
`` There are enough states and enough electoral votes that can be called where it 's going to be very tough for the president '' to win , Luntz said on `` Squawk Box . ''
Luntz 's comments around 6:50 a.m .
ET on Friday came shortly after Biden overtook Trump in Georgia by more than 1,000 votes with 99 % of the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The contest in Georgia , which has 16 electoral votes , remains too close to call and could stay that way for a while longer .
The race in the state , which has 16 electoral votes , remains too close to call .
And it may remain that way for weeks , according to John Lapinski , director of the NBC Elections Unit .
Just before 9 a.m .
ET Friday , Biden took a slim lead over Trump in Pennsylvania , as mail-in ballots across the pivotal swing state continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News , Biden now holds a roughly 5,500 vote advantage over Trump , with 95 % of the expected vote in .
Pennsylvania , which Trump won in 2016 , has 20 electoral votes .
A victory by Biden in the state would vault the former vice president over the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win the White House .
Luntz told CNBC on Wednesday he believes Biden will ultimately prevail in Pennsylvania because much of the mail-in ballots left to be counted are from Democratic strongholds .
The nation is waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Friday marking the third day since polls closed on Election Day .
Before Tuesday 's election , Luntz and many other political observers cautioned Americans that a surge in mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic meant it may take media organizations a few days make a call in the race .
Biden currently has 253 electoral votes of the 270 needed , while Trump has 214 , according to NBC News , which has yet to make a projection in a number of states .
In addition to Pennsylvania and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona , Nevada , and North Carolina .
Biden holds a slight lead in Arizona , which has 11 electoral votes , but it has been narrowing .
Per NBC News , 90 % of the expected vote in Arizona has been tallied .
Biden also leads in the race for Nevada 's six electoral votes , with 89 % of the expected vote counted , according to NBC News .
If Biden were to win those two states , the rest of the unsettled contests would not matter .
Trump holds a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 electoral votes .
The president 's path to reelection has been narrowing but the door has not been completely shut .
Luntz cautioned that should news organizations make a projection on the winner , there will be litigation over the outcomes that could stretch out the process of arriving at an official determination .
Additionally , there are likely to be recounts in states such as Georgia , given the razor-thin nature of the vote margin in the state .
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman , who was Al Gore 's 2000 running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has a right to challenge vote totals in court .
But he said he hopes the losing candidate of the current election takes a cue from Gore nearly two decades after the protracted court fight over Florida recount efforts in the presidential race against then-Texas Gov .
George W. Bush .
`` You 've got a right to take your case to the courts .
Let the judges decide .
But most of all , as Al Gore did in 2000 , it has got to end at some point for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has endorsed Biden , said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` You 've got to have a transfer of power and pull together . ''
After the Supreme Court decision on Dec. 12 , 2000 , against continuing the Florida recount , Gore decided to cease any further challenges and he conceded the race to Bush a day later .

The winner of the presidential race between Democrat Joe Biden and President Donald Trump should be decided within the next 36 hours, Republican strategist and pollster Frank Luntz told CNBC on Friday morning.
"There are enough states and enough electoral votes that can be called where it's going to be very tough for the president" to win, Luntz said on "Squawk Box."
Luntz's comments around 6:50 a.m. ET on Friday came shortly after Biden overtook Trump in Georgia by more than 1,000 votes with 99% of the expected vote in, according to NBC News. The contest in Georgia, which has 16 electoral votes, remains too close to call and could stay that way for a while longer. The race in the state, which has 16 electoral votes, remains too close to call. And it may remain that way for weeks, according to John Lapinski, director of the NBC Elections Unit.
Just before 9 a.m. ET Friday, Biden took a slim lead over Trump in Pennsylvania, as mail-in ballots across the pivotal swing state continue to be tabulated. According to NBC News, Biden now holds a roughly 5,500 vote advantage over Trump, with 95% of the expected vote in.
Pennsylvania, which Trump won in 2016, has 20 electoral votes. A victory by Biden in the state would vault the former vice president over the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win the White House. Luntz told CNBC on Wednesday he believes Biden will ultimately prevail in Pennsylvania because much of the mail-in ballots left to be counted are from Democratic strongholds.
The nation is waiting on a winner in the presidential race, with Friday marking the third day since polls closed on Election Day. Before Tuesday's election, Luntz and many other political observers cautioned Americans that a surge in mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic meant it may take media organizations a few days make a call in the race.
Biden currently has 253 electoral votes of the 270 needed, while Trump has 214, according to NBC News, which has yet to make a projection in a number of states. In addition to Pennsylvania and Georgia, swing-state contests are undecided in Arizona, Nevada, and North Carolina.
Biden holds a slight lead in Arizona, which has 11 electoral votes, but it has been narrowing. Per NBC News, 90% of the expected vote in Arizona has been tallied. Biden also leads in the race for Nevada's six electoral votes, with 89% of the expected vote counted, according to NBC News. If Biden were to win those two states, the rest of the unsettled contests would not matter.
Trump holds a lead in North Carolina, which has 15 electoral votes. The president's path to reelection has been narrowing but the door has not been completely shut.
Luntz cautioned that should news organizations make a projection on the winner, there will be litigation over the outcomes that could stretch out the process of arriving at an official determination. Additionally, there are likely to be recounts in states such as Georgia, given the razor-thin nature of the vote margin in the state.
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, who was Al Gore's 2000 running mate, told CNBC on Thursday that Trump has a right to challenge vote totals in court. But he said he hopes the losing candidate of the current election takes a cue from Gore nearly two decades after the protracted court fight over Florida recount efforts in the presidential race against then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
"You've got a right to take your case to the courts. Let the judges decide. But most of all, as Al Gore did in 2000, it has got to end at some point for the good of the country," Lieberman, who has endorsed Biden, said on "Squawk Box." "You've got to have a transfer of power and pull together."
After the Supreme Court decision on Dec. 12, 2000, against continuing the Florida recount, Gore decided to cease any further challenges and he conceded the race to Bush a day later.


cnbc--2020-11-06--Biden projected to win Michigan — he's now 17 Electoral College votes short of White House victory

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is projected to win the state of Michigan , leaving him just 17 Electoral College votes short of being elected to the White House , NBC News reported Wednesday .
Biden , the former vice president , now is projected to win two states that were won by his opponent , incumbent President Donald Trump , in the 2016 election .
The other state is Wisconsin .
Trump beat then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Michigan by just 0.2 % in 2016 — the closest popular vote margin of any state that election .
Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 253 Electoral College votes , according to the current tally by NBC News .
He needs 270 electoral votes to win .
The states whose popular vote tallies remain to be called are Arizona , where 11 Electoral College votes are at stake , Georgia , which has 16 electoral votes , Pennsylvania , with 20 electoral votes , Nevada , which has six such votes , and North Carolina , which has 15 electoral votes .
Biden currently has slim leads in the popular votes of Nevada and Arizona .
Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt the counting of ballots in Michigan as it demanded better access for observers watching the vote tallying at locations in the state .
Michigan voted for Republican presidential candidates from 1972 to 1988 before flipping to Democratic winners from 1992 to 2012 .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is projected to win the state of Michigan, leaving him just 17 Electoral College votes short of being elected to the White House, NBC News reported Wednesday.
Biden, the former vice president, now is projected to win two states that were won by his opponent, incumbent President Donald Trump, in the 2016 election. The other state is Wisconsin.
Michigan has 16 Electoral College votes.
Trump beat then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Michigan by just 0.2% in 2016 — the closest popular vote margin of any state that election.
Biden's projected victory in the state gives him 253 Electoral College votes, according to the current tally by NBC News. He needs 270 electoral votes to win.
The states whose popular vote tallies remain to be called are Arizona, where 11 Electoral College votes are at stake, Georgia, which has 16 electoral votes, Pennsylvania, with 20 electoral votes, Nevada, which has six such votes, and North Carolina, which has 15 electoral votes.
Biden currently has slim leads in the popular votes of Nevada and Arizona.
Trump's campaign filed suit earlier Wednesday seeking to halt the counting of ballots in Michigan as it demanded better access for observers watching the vote tallying at locations in the state.
Michigan voted for Republican presidential candidates from 1972 to 1988 before flipping to Democratic winners from 1992 to 2012.


cnbc--2020-11-06--Susan Collins is apparent winner in Maine Senate race against Sara Gideon

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , left , and Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon , D-Freeport , right , who are running in the Nov. 3 , 2020 , election to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate .
Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins is the apparent winner of her reelection fight against state House Speaker Sara Gideon , according to NBC News .
Gideon conceded on Wednesday afternoon .
NBC News calls a candidate the `` apparent winner '' when they are projected to win but the race remains close enough that it could be affected by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , thank you .
I will serve you with all my heart .
I will work hard for you each and every day , '' Collins told supporters in a video posted to her Twitter account .
`` We will come together to work on the problems and challenges that are facing our state and our country . ''
The hard fought race was shadowed by Collins ' vote in 2018 to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court , which was seen as a betrayal by activist groups in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican moderate .
That wound was reopened after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September .
Read more : Susan Collins struggles to change the subject from Brett Kavanaugh in Maine Senate race After Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , pledged to seat Ginsburg 's replacement before Election Day , Collins broke with the party and said she opposed such a hurried timeline .
She was the lone Republican to vote against the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett last month .
The race was one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 million raised in all , according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics .
Gideon outspent Collins dramatically , dropping about $ 50 million on her bid to deny Collins a fifth term .
Collins spent around $ 23 million .
Maine 's Senate contest was seen not only as a referendum on Collins , but also as a test of the country 's growing partisan polarization .
Collins , the only Republican senator from New England , is one of a vanishing number of lawmakers considered to be moderates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump 's deep unpopularity in Maine , and declined to say ahead of the election whether she would cast her vote for him .
Trump is projected to lose the presidential race in Maine to former Vice President Joe Biden , NBC News is projecting .
Biden led Trump by about 11 points in the state with 82 % of the expected vote in .

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, left, and Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, right, who are running in the Nov. 3, 2020, election to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate.
Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins is the apparent winner of her reelection fight against state House Speaker Sara Gideon, according to NBC News. Gideon conceded on Wednesday afternoon.
NBC News calls a candidate the "apparent winner" when they are projected to win but the race remains close enough that it could be affected by a recount or other factors.
"Thank you, thank you. I will serve you with all my heart. I will work hard for you each and every day," Collins told supporters in a video posted to her Twitter account. "We will come together to work on the problems and challenges that are facing our state and our country."
The hard fought race was shadowed by Collins' vote in 2018 to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, which was seen as a betrayal by activist groups in the state, who had previously supported the Republican moderate.
That wound was reopened after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September.
Read more: Susan Collins struggles to change the subject from Brett Kavanaugh in Maine Senate race
After Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pledged to seat Ginsburg's replacement before Election Day, Collins broke with the party and said she opposed such a hurried timeline. She was the lone Republican to vote against the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett last month.
The race was one of the most expensive of the cycle, with approximately $100 million raised in all, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. Gideon outspent Collins dramatically, dropping about $50 million on her bid to deny Collins a fifth term. Collins spent around $23 million.
Maine's Senate contest was seen not only as a referendum on Collins, but also as a test of the country's growing partisan polarization. Collins, the only Republican senator from New England, is one of a vanishing number of lawmakers considered to be moderates.
The Caribou native was dogged by President Donald Trump's deep unpopularity in Maine, and declined to say ahead of the election whether she would cast her vote for him.
Trump is projected to lose the presidential race in Maine to former Vice President Joe Biden, NBC News is projecting. Biden led Trump by about 11 points in the state with 82% of the expected vote in.


cnbc--2020-11-06--Joe Biden is the apparent winner in Wisconsin, a state Trump won in 2016

Joe Biden is the apparent winner in Wisconsin , according to an NBC News projection , flipping a state that President Donald Trump had won in 2016 .
As of Wednesday afternoon , NBC showed Biden leading Trump by approximately 21,000 votes .
Wisconsin has 10 Electoral College votes , and Biden 's victory brings his Electoral College total to 237 .
Trump won the swing state by less than a percentage point in 2016 , ending Wisconsin 's seven-election streak of backing Democratic candidates .
Winning back the state this year was a priority for Democrats , who view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called `` blue wall '' of Midwestern states that have been Democratic strongholds for decades .
The Trump campaign has already announced that it will request a formal recount in the state , claiming that there were unspecified `` irregularities '' during the vote .
But there is little evidence that a recount would actually help Trump make up a 20,000 vote deficit .
Recent election recounts in Wisconsin have failed to produce significant shifts in the tally for one candidate or another .
Following the 2016 presidential election , a recount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ margin of victory by just 131 votes , out of three million cast .
Former Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker , a Republican , expressed doubts on Wednesday about the effectiveness of a recount .
`` After recount in 2011 race for WI Supreme Court , there was a swing of 300 votes , '' Scott tweeted .
`` After recount in 2016 Presidential race in WI , [ Trump 's ] numbers went up by 131 .
As I said , 20,000 is a high hurdle . ''
The definition of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projected that a candidate has won the race , but the results are close enough that the outcome may depend on a potential recount and/or confirmation that the results that have been reported are accurate .

Joe Biden is the apparent winner in Wisconsin, according to an NBC News projection, flipping a state that President Donald Trump had won in 2016.
As of Wednesday afternoon, NBC showed Biden leading Trump by approximately 21,000 votes. Wisconsin has 10 Electoral College votes, and Biden's victory brings his Electoral College total to 237.
Trump won the swing state by less than a percentage point in 2016, ending Wisconsin's seven-election streak of backing Democratic candidates.
Winning back the state this year was a priority for Democrats, who view Wisconsin as a key piece of the so-called "blue wall" of Midwestern states that have been Democratic strongholds for decades.
The Trump campaign has already announced that it will request a formal recount in the state, claiming that there were unspecified "irregularities" during the vote.
But there is little evidence that a recount would actually help Trump make up a 20,000 vote deficit.
Recent election recounts in Wisconsin have failed to produce significant shifts in the tally for one candidate or another. Following the 2016 presidential election, a recount of the vote in Wisconsin increased Trump's margin of victory by just 131 votes, out of three million cast.
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, expressed doubts on Wednesday about the effectiveness of a recount.
"After recount in 2011 race for WI Supreme Court, there was a swing of 300 votes," Scott tweeted. "After recount in 2016 Presidential race in WI, [Trump's] numbers went up by 131. As I said, 20,000 is a high hurdle."
The definition of an Apparent Winner is that NBC News has projected that a candidate has won the race, but the results are close enough that the outcome may depend on a potential recount and/or confirmation that the results that have been reported are accurate.


cnbc--2020-11-06--Trump campaign says it will request a recount in Wisconsin

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump 's campaign manager said Wednesday that Trump plans to request a formal recount in Wisconsin , where Joe Biden holds a slim lead after nearly all the votes have been counted .
`` Wisconsin has been a razor-thin race as we always knew that it would be , '' Bill Stepien said in a statement .
`` There have been reports of irregularities in several Wisconsin counties which raise serious doubts about the validity of the results , '' Stepien said without citing evidence .
`` The president is well within the threshold to request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so . ''
A top election official in the crucial swing state confirmed Wednesday that nearly all the votes in the state have been counted in the presidential election .
While NBC News has not independently called the race , the network 's vote tally has Biden leading Trump by more than 20,000 votes , with an estimated 99 % of the vote in .
`` All of the ballots have indeed been counted , '' Meagan Wolfe , the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission , told NBC 's `` TODAY '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there 's any counties that have n't posted their results on their websites . ''
Wolfe later clarified that one town was still outstanding , with around 300 votes .
An estimated total of 3.3 million votes were cast in Wisconsin , according to NBC News .
Biden is leading with 49.4 % of the votes , while Trump has 48.9 % , according to NBC News ' latest tally .
The state is considered a must-win in the quest for the necessary 270 Electoral College votes for victory .
Trump clinched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking Wisconsin .
The two campaigns are now locked in a post-election day battle to win key battleground states that have yet to count all their ballots .
This story has been updated to include statements from the Trump campaign and updated information from the Wisconsin Elections Commission .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's campaign manager said Wednesday that Trump plans to request a formal recount in Wisconsin, where Joe Biden holds a slim lead after nearly all the votes have been counted.
"Wisconsin has been a razor-thin race as we always knew that it would be," Bill Stepien said in a statement.
"There have been reports of irregularities in several Wisconsin counties which raise serious doubts about the validity of the results," Stepien said without citing evidence. "The president is well within the threshold to request a recount and we will immediately do so."
A top election official in the crucial swing state confirmed Wednesday that nearly all the votes in the state have been counted in the presidential election.
While NBC News has not independently called the race, the network's vote tally has Biden leading Trump by more than 20,000 votes, with an estimated 99% of the vote in.
"All of the ballots have indeed been counted," Meagan Wolfe, the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, told NBC's "TODAY" show. "We're not seeing that there's any counties that haven't posted their results on their websites."
Wolfe later clarified that one town was still outstanding, with around 300 votes. An estimated total of 3.3 million votes were cast in Wisconsin, according to NBC News.
Biden is leading with 49.4% of the votes, while Trump has 48.9%, according to NBC News' latest tally.
The state is considered a must-win in the quest for the necessary 270 Electoral College votes for victory. Trump clinched his 2016 win over Hillary Clinton by taking Wisconsin.
The two campaigns are now locked in a post-election day battle to win key battleground states that have yet to count all their ballots.
This story has been updated to include statements from the Trump campaign and updated information from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.


cnbc--2020-11-07--White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for coronavirus

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows talks to reporters at the White House on October 21 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for coronavirus , NBC News confirmed Friday .
He becomes only the latest person in President Donald Trump 's orbit to come down with Covid-19 , after an outbreak hit the president , his family and campaign and administration advisors last month .
Meadows attended an election night gathering at the White House on Tuesday and stood by , wearing no mask , when Trump spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
News of his positive test came a day after the U.S. set another record for new daily coronavirus infections with more than 120,000 .
NBC confirmed that Trump campaign aide Nick Trainer has also tested positive for Covid-19 .
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request to comment .
Late last month , Meadows sparked backlash when he said the U.S. is `` not going to control the pandemic '' but would put its focus on developing a vaccine and therapeutics .
He has insisted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reporters during the outbreak .
His positive test will likely only bring further scrutiny of the administration 's actions during the pandemic .
Several people who tested positive for the virus last month attended a late September event at the White House to celebrate Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett 's nomination .
Meadows ' positive test also comes as his boss increasingly lashes out in the face of election results that show him trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race .

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows talks to reporters at the White House on October 21, 2020 in Washington, DC.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has tested positive for coronavirus, NBC News confirmed Friday.
He becomes only the latest person in President Donald Trump's orbit to come down with Covid-19, after an outbreak hit the president, his family and campaign and administration advisors last month. Meadows attended an election night gathering at the White House on Tuesday and stood by, wearing no mask, when Trump spoke at a Republican Party office earlier that day.
News of his positive test came a day after the U.S. set another record for new daily coronavirus infections with more than 120,000. NBC confirmed that Trump campaign aide Nick Trainer has also tested positive for Covid-19.
Bloomberg first reported Meadows' diagnosis.
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to CNBC's request to comment.
Late last month, Meadows sparked backlash when he said the U.S. is "not going to control the pandemic" but would put its focus on developing a vaccine and therapeutics. He has insisted on taking his face mask off before talking to reporters during the outbreak.
His positive test will likely only bring further scrutiny of the administration's actions during the pandemic. Several people who tested positive for the virus last month attended a late September event at the White House to celebrate Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's nomination.
Meadows' positive test also comes as his boss increasingly lashes out in the face of election results that show him trailing Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential race.


cnbc--2020-11-07--Joe Biden is projected to defeat incumbent Donald Trump in the presidential election

WASHINGTON – Joe Biden is projected to win the U.S. presidential election , according to NBC News , a watershed moment in a deeply divided nation that is facing multiple crises .
The call in the race came four days after Election Day , and during close counts in multiple battleground states .
President Donald Trump 's campaign has mounted several legal challenges over how the ballots are being tabulated .
Biden will win the White House with at least 279 electoral votes , according to NBC .
He will carry all of Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin — three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House four years ago .
Biden 's election amounts to a rejection by millions of voters of Trump 's divisive governance , and an embrace of Biden 's pledge to bring a more civil , compassionate and steady leadership to the White House .
The race , decided by narrow margins in a range of swing states , drove record turnout that will see both Biden and Trump garner more than 70 million votes .
Biden has a still growing lead of more than 4 million in the nationwide popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he characterizes a mandate given to the incoming administration to chart a new approach to the nationwide coronavirus crisis , which has claimed the lives of more than 233,000 Americans and shows no signs of abating .
Trump has consistently downplayed the severity of the pandemic and denied the reality of rising caseloads .
`` I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris , '' Biden said in a statement Saturday after his projected victory .
`` In the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans voted .
Proving once again , that democracy beats deep in the heart of America . ''
`` With the campaign over , it 's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation .
It 's time for America to unite .
And to heal .
We are the United States of America .
And there 's nothing we ca n't do , if we do it together , '' he continued .
Trump , after days of baseless lies that state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from him , was at his Virginia golf club when Pennsylvania 's 20 electoral votes took Biden across the finish line .
In a tweet Saturday morning , he claimed in defiance of ongoing results that , `` I WON THIS ELECTION , BY A LOT ! ''
It is unclear if or when the president will concede the race to his rival .
In a statement released by his campaign , the president claimed `` this election is far from over '' as he fights uphill legal battles in close electoral states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified as the winner of any states , let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts , or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor , '' Trump said in the statement .
Several states took days to count a record number of mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic .
Those votes skewed heavily in Biden 's favor after Trump repeatedly urged his supporters to cast ballots in person .

WASHINGTON – Joe Biden is projected to win the U.S. presidential election, according to NBC News, a watershed moment in a deeply divided nation that is facing multiple crises.
The call in the race came four days after Election Day, and during close counts in multiple battleground states. President Donald Trump's campaign has mounted several legal challenges over how the ballots are being tabulated.
Biden will win the White House with at least 279 electoral votes, according to NBC. He will carry all of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin — three states that propelled Trump's dizzying rise to the White House four years ago.
Biden's election amounts to a rejection by millions of voters of Trump's divisive governance, and an embrace of Biden's pledge to bring a more civil, compassionate and steady leadership to the White House. The race, decided by narrow margins in a range of swing states, drove record turnout that will see both Biden and Trump garner more than 70 million votes. Biden has a still growing lead of more than 4 million in the nationwide popular vote.
Biden's victory also represents what he characterizes a mandate given to the incoming administration to chart a new approach to the nationwide coronavirus crisis, which has claimed the lives of more than 233,000 Americans and shows no signs of abating. Trump has consistently downplayed the severity of the pandemic and denied the reality of rising caseloads.
"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect Harris," Biden said in a statement Saturday after his projected victory. "In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America."
"With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal. We are the United States of America. And there's nothing we can't do, if we do it together," he continued.
Trump, after days of baseless lies that state election officials conspired to steal the race from him, was at his Virginia golf club when Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes took Biden across the finish line. In a tweet Saturday morning, he claimed in defiance of ongoing results that, "I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!"
It is unclear if or when the president will concede the race to his rival. In a statement released by his campaign, the president claimed "this election is far from over" as he fights uphill legal battles in close electoral states.
"Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor," Trump said in the statement.
Several states took days to count a record number of mail-in ballots during the coronavirus pandemic. Those votes skewed heavily in Biden's favor after Trump repeatedly urged his supporters to cast ballots in person.


cnbc--2020-11-07--Kamala Harris makes history as the first woman elected vice president

Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event , on her first joint appearance with presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden after being named by Biden as his running mate , at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington , Delaware , August 12 , 2020 .
Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , has become the first woman to earn the title of vice president-elect after NBC News projected former Vice President Joe Biden to be the president-elect on Saturday .
Harris ' victory represents many firsts to come to the White House .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she will be the first woman and first person to identify as Black and as South Asian-American in the role of vice president .
An alumna of Howard University , she will be the first vice president to have graduated from a historically Black college and be a member of a Black sorority .
Harris ran her own presidential campaign this year before joining the Democratic ticket as Biden 's running mate .
At 56 , the role positions her to be a strong contender for the presidency in future elections should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made her mark in politics in California , where she served as San Francisco district attorney before going on to become attorney general of the state — the first African-American to serve in that role .
Harris ' background as a prosecutor has made her a target of criticism from progressives seeking criminal justice reform .
But Harris has argued she 's sought reform from within her roles as a prosecutor .
As San Francisco DA , she promised to never seek the death penalty .
She kept that promise even when prosecuting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco Police Department officer , angering her political allies .
But she also took heat for other policies such as a campaign to combat truancy in San Francisco in an effort to reduce crime .
Harris took her prosecutorial chops to the U.S. Senate after being elected in 2016 .
Her skills helped her become a tough interrogator in confirmation hearings for people like Attorney General William Barr and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
She also serves on committees for Intelligence , Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris has shared a quote from her mother , Shyamala , who she said would often tell her , `` you may be the first to do many things , but make sure you are not the last . ''
Following several news networks ' projection of Biden and Harris ' victory , the vice president-elect wrote on Twitter that the election is `` about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it .
We have a lot of work ahead of us .
Let 's get started . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent Donald Trump in the presidential election : NBC News

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks on stage at the Chase Center before President-elect Joe Biden's address to the nation November 07, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., has become the first woman to earn the title of vice president-elect after NBC News projected former Vice President Joe Biden to be the president-elect on Saturday.
Harris' victory represents many firsts to come to the White House. As the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, she will be the first woman and first person to identify as Black and as South Asian-American in the role of vice president. An alumna of Howard University, she will be the first vice president to have graduated from a historically Black college and be a member of a Black sorority.
Harris ran her own presidential campaign this year before joining the Democratic ticket as Biden's running mate. At 56, the role positions her to be a strong contender for the presidency in future elections should she choose to run again.
Harris made her mark in politics in California, where she served as San Francisco district attorney before going on to become attorney general of the state — the first African-American to serve in that role.
Harris' background as a prosecutor has made her a target of criticism from progressives seeking criminal justice reform. But Harris has argued she's sought reform from within her roles as a prosecutor.
As San Francisco DA, she promised to never seek the death penalty. She kept that promise even when prosecuting a person accused of killing a San Francisco Police Department officer, angering her political allies.
But she also took heat for other policies such as a campaign to combat truancy in San Francisco in an effort to reduce crime.
Harris took her prosecutorial chops to the U.S. Senate after being elected in 2016. Her skills helped her become a tough interrogator in confirmation hearings for people like Attorney General William Barr and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. She also serves on committees for Intelligence, Homeland Security and Budget.
Throughout the campaign, Harris has shared a quote from her mother, Shyamala, who she said would often tell her, "you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you are not the last."
Following several news networks' projection of Biden and Harris' victory, the vice president-elect wrote on Twitter that the election is "about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."
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WATCH: Joe Biden projected to defeat incumbent Donald Trump in the presidential election: NBC News


cnbc--2020-11-07--Trump refuses to accept election results, says it's 'far from over'

President Donald Trump arrives to speak in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , DC on November 5 , 2020 .
Trump vowed that as soon as Monday , his team will start `` prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld . ''
`` Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states , let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts , or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor , '' Trump claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is far from over , '' Trump said in a statement released just minutes after NBC projected that Biden had become president-elect .
Biden earlier Saturday had led Trump in NBC 's tally of projected Electoral College votes , 253 to 214 .
The former vice president was pushed over the top when NBC projected that Pennsylvania 's 20 electoral votes would be awarded to him .
Trump had traveled to his private golf club in Sterling , Virginia , less than two hours before the race was called for his opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around noon Saturday , said he is `` honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect [ Kamala ] Harris . ''
`` In the face of unprecedented obstacles , a record number of Americans voted .
Proving once again , that democracy beats deep in the heart of America , '' the president-elect said .
`` With the campaign over , it 's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has come to an end .
The president and his surrogates have launched lawsuits in multiple key states , including Pennsylvania and Michigan , and have already signaled they plan to press for recounts in some close races .
Trump himself has spread unproven allegations of electoral fraud in key states , despite repeated pushback from election officials and judges in numerous court cases .
As vote tallies in crucial states appeared to be favoring Biden in the days after Election Day , Trump even demanded that states stop counting ballots .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when at least 600,000 ballots are in question , '' Trump 's attorney , former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani , said at a press conference in Philadelphia on Saturday , without providing evidence .
Meanwhile , world leaders came out of the woodwork to congratulate Biden and Harris on winning the race against Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet to Biden and Harris , `` I 'm really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` Congratulations from to President-Elect Joe Biden and to history-making Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris . ''
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson , long seen as one of Trump 's closest allies on the world stage , also congratulated the projected president-elect .

President Donald Trump arrives to speak in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC on November 5, 2020.
Trump vowed that as soon as Monday, his team will start "prosecuting our case in court to ensure election laws are fully upheld."
"Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor," Trump claimed.
"The simple fact is this election is far from over," Trump said in a statement released just minutes after NBC projected that Biden had become president-elect.
Biden earlier Saturday had led Trump in NBC's tally of projected Electoral College votes, 253 to 214. The former vice president was pushed over the top when NBC projected that Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes would be awarded to him.
Trump had traveled to his private golf club in Sterling, Virginia, less than two hours before the race was called for his opponent.
Biden, in a statement released around noon Saturday, said he is "honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice President-elect [Kamala] Harris."
"In the face of unprecedented obstacles, a record number of Americans voted. Proving once again, that democracy beats deep in the heart of America," the president-elect said. "With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation."
But the Trump campaign disputes that the campaign has come to an end. The president and his surrogates have launched lawsuits in multiple key states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, and have already signaled they plan to press for recounts in some close races.
Trump himself has spread unproven allegations of electoral fraud in key states, despite repeated pushback from election officials and judges in numerous court cases. As vote tallies in crucial states appeared to be favoring Biden in the days after Election Day, Trump even demanded that states stop counting ballots.
"Obviously he's not going to concede when at least 600,000 ballots are in question," Trump's attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said at a press conference in Philadelphia on Saturday, without providing evidence.
Meanwhile, world leaders came out of the woodwork to congratulate Biden and Harris on winning the race against Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet to Biden and Harris, "I'm really looking forward to working together and building on that with you both."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted, "Congratulations from to President-Elect Joe Biden and to history-making Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris."
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, long seen as one of Trump's closest allies on the world stage, also congratulated the projected president-elect.


cnbc--2020-11-07--Pollsters face another reckoning this year, but the reasons could differ from 2016

Poll workers wait in line to grab breakfast prior to the polls opening at the Registrar of Voters on the day of the Presidential election in San Diego , California , November 3 , 2020 .
Once again , public opinion polls missed the mark on the U.S. presidential election .
The polls largely indicated a Democratic sweep with former Vice President Joe Biden up an average of 7.4 percentage points ahead of President Donald Trump in national polls , according to NBC News ' polling average .
Polls indicated Biden could win Wisconsin at 6.7 percentage points ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although preliminary election results show the candidates are less than a percentage point apart .
Polls on average also predicted Biden would win Florida by nearly a full percentage point , according to RCP .
Instead , Trump won the state by more than three percentage points , according to NBC News projections .
But the reasons for the disparity could vary from those in 2016 , polling experts told CNBC .
Pollsters faced a public reckoning after failing to predict former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's defeat by Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to diminish the error in their methods .
`` When polls go bad , when polls mislead , they do so in different ways , '' said W. Joseph Campbell , a professor of communication at American University and author of `` Lost in a Gallup : Polling Failure in U.S. Presidential Elections . ''
`` No two polling failures are quite alike and I think that held in this year , '' Campbell said .
`` 2020 is not the same kind of polling surprise as it was in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ failures in 2016 and tried to adjust , as they always do .
A post-mortem by the American Association for Public Opinion Research ( AAPOR ) found that polls ahead of the 2016 election mainly underestimated support for Trump in places like Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , which Trump flipped from blue to red that year .
AAPOR found that failing to weight results based on education level was a likely source of error in the polls , among others .
Education level was later found to be highly correlated with voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the report , though pollsters still disagree on the importance of this factor in accounting for the error .
Overall , AAPOR found that national polls in 2016 were not all that far off , showing a 3 percentage point lead for Clinton in the popular vote , which she ultimately won by 2 percentage points .
Even many state-level polls `` showed a competitive , uncertain contest , '' AAPOR found , and said that on average , they `` indicated that Trump was one state away from winning the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear to have been directionally correct based on preliminary vote counts which exclude many outstanding and mailed ballots .
Charles Franklin , who directs the Marquette Law School Poll , calculated that more than 90 % of polls got the winner right in states that had been called as of early Friday afternoon .
But on average , he said of the races called so far , the polls overestimated Biden 's lead by 5.8 percentage points .
He said he he did not have data on six states not yet called as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the error this year seemed to be more broad .
`` In 2020 , rather than having that error focused in just a handful of states , this year really it looks like it was quite widespread , '' he said .
`` I ca n't find any state where the polling error was in Trump 's favor . ''
While it 's too early to fully assess what went wrong this year , especially with many still votes still outstanding , pollsters have some early questions .
Those range from how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Trump himself might have .
`` There 's no single answer to why the polls surprised us in 2020 , '' Campbell said .

Poll workers wait in line to grab breakfast prior to the polls opening at the Registrar of Voters on the day of the Presidential election in San Diego, California, November 3, 2020.
Once again, public opinion polls missed the mark on the U.S. presidential election.
The polls largely indicated a Democratic sweep with former Vice President Joe Biden up an average of 7.4 percentage points ahead of President Donald Trump in national polls, according to NBC News' polling average. Polls indicated Biden could win Wisconsin at 6.7 percentage points ahead of Trump, according to a RealClearPolitics average, although preliminary election results show the candidates are less than a percentage point apart.
Polls on average also predicted Biden would win Florida by nearly a full percentage point, according to RCP. Instead, Trump won the state by more than three percentage points, according to NBC News projections.
But the reasons for the disparity could vary from those in 2016, polling experts told CNBC. Pollsters faced a public reckoning after failing to predict former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's defeat by Trump. Since then, the industry made changes seeking to diminish the error in their methods.
"When polls go bad, when polls mislead, they do so in different ways," said W. Joseph Campbell, a professor of communication at American University and author of "Lost in a Gallup: Polling Failure in U.S. Presidential Elections."
"No two polling failures are quite alike and I think that held in this year," Campbell said. "2020 is not the same kind of polling surprise as it was in 2016."
Polling groups took stock of the failures in 2016 and tried to adjust, as they always do. A post-mortem by the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) found that polls ahead of the 2016 election mainly underestimated support for Trump in places like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which Trump flipped from blue to red that year.
AAPOR found that failing to weight results based on education level was a likely source of error in the polls, among others. Education level was later found to be highly correlated with voters' preferences in key states, according to the report, though pollsters still disagree on the importance of this factor in accounting for the error.
Overall, AAPOR found that national polls in 2016 were not all that far off, showing a 3 percentage point lead for Clinton in the popular vote, which she ultimately won by 2 percentage points. Even many state-level polls "showed a competitive, uncertain contest," AAPOR found, and said that on average, they "indicated that Trump was one state away from winning the election."
This year, many polls appear to have been directionally correct based on preliminary vote counts which exclude many outstanding and mailed ballots. Charles Franklin, who directs the Marquette Law School Poll, calculated that more than 90% of polls got the winner right in states that had been called as of early Friday afternoon.
But on average, he said of the races called so far, the polls overestimated Biden's lead by 5.8 percentage points. He said he he did not have data on six states not yet called as well as Mississippi or Massachusetts.
Franklin said the error this year seemed to be more broad.
"In 2020, rather than having that error focused in just a handful of states, this year really it looks like it was quite widespread," he said. "I can't find any state where the polling error was in Trump's favor."
While it's too early to fully assess what went wrong this year, especially with many still votes still outstanding, pollsters have some early questions. Those range from how record turnout could impact the numbers to how Trump himself might have.
"There's no single answer to why the polls surprised us in 2020," Campbell said.


cnbc--2020-11-07--President-elect Joe Biden to announce Covid task force on Monday

President-elect Joe Biden is expected on Monday to announce the members of his coronavirus task force , who will be charged with crafting a plan to curb the spread of the coronavirus as it reaches record-high levels .
The task force will be co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy , former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith of Yale University , a Biden campaign official told NBC .
Axios first reported on the announcement .
The announcement , which will come before the president-elect has named any of his senior White House staff or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority the pandemic response is to Biden .
Biden will not be sworn into office until Jan. 20 , when epidemiologists and medical experts say the country could be in a dire situation with the pandemic , if current trends continue .
On the day NBC News projected Biden would win the election , the U.S. reported its third-straight record spike in daily new coronavirus cases , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Average daily new cases are rising by at least 5 % in 47 states and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC analysis of Hopkins data .
Dr. Leana Wen , the former Baltimore health commissioner , said Biden will have his work cut out for him when he assumes office in January .
She added , though , that he can begin encouraging compliance with public health measures even before he officially takes office .
`` His work needs to begin right now .
He needs to begin communicating the urgency of actions with the American people , '' she said in a phone interview .
`` His biggest challenge is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He can have the best policies and even the best way to implement his policies , but unless you can win the hearts and minds of the American people , it 's not going to make a difference . ''
Wen , an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University , said if the country continues on its current path , the U.S. could have more than half a million Covid-19 deaths before Biden takes office .
`` It 's going to get much worse this winter , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all across the country .
There are firestorms of Covid-19 that we 're seeing in virtually every part of the country , and it is getting worse by the day . ''
Dr. Megan Ranney , an emergency physician at Brown University , echoed Wen 's concerns about the months ahead .
`` The worst days of the pandemic are almost certainly still ahead of us , '' she said .
`` This virus is now spread across the entire United States .
When the first surge came , it was localized to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York , New Jersey .
In the second wave , it was the South and Southwest .
But now we 're seeing it literally takeover hospitals across the country . ''
She added that a Biden presidency gives her hope of a nationally coordinated response to the pandemic , but until Jan. 20 , `` it 's like we 're on our own . ''
Ranney added that several of her `` colleagues and friends , '' whom she declined to name , will serve on Biden 's coronavirus task force and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on day one '' when he takes office .
`` But the trouble is , even with hitting the ground running on day one , it 's going to take two months to manufacture adequate PPE , '' she said .
`` Even if on day one , he says , ' I 'm going to create a mask mandate , ' it 's going to take a while to disseminate that and to get the messaging out . ''

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden holds up a face mask while giving remarks about the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 after attending a virtual coronavirus briefing with medical experts at The Queen theater on October 28, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware.
President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced the members of his coronavirus task force, who will be charged with crafting a plan to curb the spread of Covid-19 as it reaches record-high levels.
The task force will be co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith of Yale University, according to the announcement.
Other task force members include Dr. Atul Gawande, a professor of surgery and health policy at Harvard, and Dr. Rick Bright, the vaccine expert and whistleblower who resigned his post with the Trump administration last month.
The group will consult with state and local leaders to help steer the federal response once Biden takes office.
Rounding out the task force is:
Dr. Luciana Borio, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of the Department of Bioethics at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health
Dr. Celine Gounder, clinical assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Dr. Julie Morita, former health commissioner for the City of Chicago for nearly two decades
Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota
Loyce Pace, executive director and president of Global Health Council
Dr. Robert Rodriguez, who has researched the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of frontline workers
Dr. Eric Goosby, an expert on infectious diseases.
"Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts," Biden said in the announcement. "The advisory board will help shape my approach to managing the surge in reported infections; ensuring vaccines are safe, effective, and distributed efficiently, equitably, and free; and protecting at-risk populations."
The announcement was made the same day as Pfizer and BioNTech announced their coronavirus vaccine was more than 90% effective in preventing Covid-19.
The announcement, which comes before the president-elect has named any of his senior White House staff or Cabinet appointments, signals how high of a priority the pandemic response is to Biden.
Biden will not be sworn into office until Jan. 20, when epidemiologists and medical experts say the country could be in a dire situation with the pandemic if current trends continue. On the day NBC News projected Biden would win the election, the U.S. reported its third-straight record spike in daily new coronavirus cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Average daily new cases are rising by at least 5% in 47 states and the District of Columbia, according to a CNBC analysis of Hopkins data.
Dr. Leana Wen, the former Baltimore health commissioner, said Biden will have his work cut out for him when he assumes office in January. She added, though, that he can begin encouraging compliance with public health measures even before he officially takes office.
"His work needs to begin right now. He needs to begin communicating the urgency of actions with the American people," she said in a phone interview. "His biggest challenge is going to be getting people to follow his recommendations. He can have the best policies and even the best way to implement his policies, but unless you can win the hearts and minds of the American people, it's not going to make a difference."
Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, said if the country continues on its current path, the U.S. could have more than half a million Covid-19 deaths before Biden takes office.
"It's going to get much worse this winter," she said. "We are surging all across the country. There are firestorms of Covid-19 that we're seeing in virtually every part of the country, and it is getting worse by the day."
Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University, echoed Wen's concerns about the months ahead.
"The worst days of the pandemic are almost certainly still ahead of us," she said. "This virus is now spread across the entire United States. When the first surge came, it was localized to the Northeast in New England, New York, New Jersey. In the second wave, it was the South and Southwest. But now we're seeing it literally takeover hospitals across the country."
She added that a Biden presidency gives her hope of a nationally coordinated response to the pandemic, but until Jan. 20, "it's like we're on our own."
Ranney added that several of her "colleagues and friends" will serve on Biden's coronavirus task force and will help him "hit the ground running on day one" when he takes office.
"But the trouble is, even with hitting the ground running on day one, it's going to take two months to manufacture adequate PPE," she said. "Even if on day one, he says, 'I'm going to create a mask mandate,' it's going to take a while to disseminate that and to get the messaging out."
—CNBC's Sara Salinas contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-11-07--America reacts to Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election

People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington , DC on November 7 , @ @ @ @ @ was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election .
Americans poured into the streets @ @ @ @ @ projected presidential election victory over President Donald Trump .
In cities from Philadelphia and Detroit @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat 's electoral college win — to New York and Washington D.C. , Americans @ @ @ @ @ day to celebrate Trump 's looming ouster from the White House .
Trump 's supporters @ @ @ @ @ demonstrate in support of the president 's unfounded claims that malfeasance in swing states cost @ @ @ @ @ jubilation , and disappointment , reflected an election that shattered total voting records : Biden @ @ @ @ @ first U.S. presidential candidate to receive 75 million votes nationwide , while Trump has also @ @ @ @ @ votes .
News networks called the race when Trump was golfing at his Virginia country @ @ @ @ @ find streets outside the White House overrun with people celebrating his loss .

People celebrate on Black Lives Matter plaza across from the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2020, after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Americans poured into the streets Saturday after Joe Biden's projected presidential election victory over President Donald Trump.
In cities from Philadelphia and Detroit — which helped to seal the Democrat's electoral college win — to New York and Washington D.C., Americans gathered on a sunny fall day to celebrate Trump's looming ouster from the White House. Trump's supporters, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate in support of the president's unfounded claims that malfeasance in swing states cost him the election.
The jubilation, and disappointment, reflected an election that shattered total voting records: Biden is expected to become the first U.S. presidential candidate to receive 75 million votes nationwide, while Trump has also garnered more than 70 million votes.
News networks called the race when Trump was golfing at his Virginia country club. He returned to find streets outside the White House overrun with people celebrating his loss.


cnbc--2020-11-07--Trump efforts to challenge election results 'are a gift to America's adversaries,' foreign policy ex

Trump efforts to challenge election results 'are a gift to America's adversaries,' foreign policy experts say

WASHINGTON — Foreign policy experts say President Donald Trump 's attacks on the vote-counting process in the wake of Election Day give a boost to American adversaries .
On Friday , Democratic nominee Joe Biden inched closer to a White House victory after taking the lead over Trump in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia .
As his reelection chances diminish , Trump spoke Thursday evening from the White House briefing room , falsely claiming the election was being `` stolen '' from him .
Trump said his campaign was in the midst of pursuing a series of lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to rig an election , and we ca n't let that happen , '' added Trump .
`` President Trump 's wild and baseless claims are a gift to America 's adversaries , who will argue the U.S. is n't a model for others to emulate or a reliable ally , '' Kori Schake , director of foreign and defense policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute , told CNBC .
`` It encourages our adversaries to challenge our security guarantees and makes the domestic politics of our friends fighting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schake , a career civil servant with a bipartisan background and stints at the departments of Defense and State and the National Security Council at the White House .
Benjamin Friedman , policy director at Defense Priorities , told CNBC that Trump 's calls via Twitter to `` quit counting votes to keep power damage the U.S. 's ability to serve as an exemplar of democracy to others globally . ''
`` Allies and adversaries paying attention already knew U.S. elections were messy and President Trump was capable of illiberal statements .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies some heartburn , effects should be small , '' Friedman added .
`` Our adversaries benefit from a weakening of American democracy , and surely cheer Donald Trump 's effort to undermine its central institution : free and fair elections , '' explained Stephen Biddle , professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University .
Biddle added that rivals such as Russia , China , Iran and North Korea have an interest in `` delegitimizing democracy and countering the notion that democracy is a higher form of government . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. election thus offers them an opportunity to diminish enthusiasm in their own populations for U.S.-style government and democracy and to diminish the threat that this system poses to them .
And this gives them an incentive to amplify Trump 's claims – the more chaos here , the better for them there , '' Biddle told CNBC .
`` Our allies want benign U.S. leadership , and surely see Trump 's willingness to create chaos at home where he thinks this will benefit him as a weakening of America 's ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biddle said .
Biddle added that allies , however , recognize the U.S. as largely a force for good on the global stage .
Biden on Thursday urged patience as outstanding votes in Nevada , Pennsylvania , Georgia , Alaska , Arizona and North Carolina were tallied .
The Democratic nominee wrote on Twitter : `` No one is going to take our democracy away from us .
Not now , not ever . ''

Storm clouds are seen above the White House as the edges of Hurricane Delta reach Washington, DC on October 10, 2020. Samuel Corum | Getty Images
WASHINGTON — Foreign policy experts say President Donald Trump's attacks on the vote-counting process in the wake of Election Day give a boost to American adversaries. On Friday, Democratic nominee Joe Biden inched closer to a White House victory after taking the lead over Trump in the battleground states of Pennsylvania and Georgia. As his reelection chances diminish, Trump spoke Thursday evening from the White House briefing room, falsely claiming the election was being "stolen" from him. Trump said his campaign was in the midst of pursuing a series of lawsuits across battleground states. "They're trying to rig an election, and we can't let that happen," added Trump.
Our adversaries benefit from a weakening of American democracy, and surely cheer Donald Trump's effort to undermine its central institution: free and fair elections. Stephen Biddle professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University
"President Trump's wild and baseless claims are a gift to America's adversaries, who will argue the U.S. isn't a model for others to emulate or a reliable ally," Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, told CNBC. "It encourages our adversaries to challenge our security guarantees and makes the domestic politics of our friends fighting by our side more difficult," added Schake, a career civil servant with a bipartisan background and stints at the departments of Defense and State and the National Security Council at the White House. Benjamin Friedman, policy director at Defense Priorities, told CNBC that Trump's calls via Twitter to "quit counting votes to keep power damage the U.S.'s ability to serve as an exemplar of democracy to others globally." "Allies and adversaries paying attention already knew U.S. elections were messy and President Trump was capable of illiberal statements. So beyond giving adversaries something to mock and allies some heartburn, effects should be small," Friedman added.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks following the ceremonial swearing-in of James Mattis as secretary of defense on January 27, 2017, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
"Our adversaries benefit from a weakening of American democracy, and surely cheer Donald Trump's effort to undermine its central institution: free and fair elections," explained Stephen Biddle, professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University. Biddle added that rivals such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have an interest in "delegitimizing democracy and countering the notion that democracy is a higher form of government." "Pointing to an allegedly chaotic, fraud-ridden U.S. election thus offers them an opportunity to diminish enthusiasm in their own populations for U.S.-style government and democracy and to diminish the threat that this system poses to them. And this gives them an incentive to amplify Trump's claims – the more chaos here, the better for them there," Biddle told CNBC.
The presidential election is the crown jewel of American democracy. This should be a moment for us to shine, and the president is taking us down a very dark path. Jeremy Bash Former chief of staff at the CIA and Department of Defense in the Obama administration
"Our allies want benign U.S. leadership, and surely see Trump's willingness to create chaos at home where he thinks this will benefit him as a weakening of America's ability to play a leadership role anywhere," Biddle said. Biddle added that allies, however, recognize the U.S. as largely a force for good on the global stage. Biden on Thursday urged patience as outstanding votes in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Alaska, Arizona and North Carolina were tallied. The Democratic nominee wrote on Twitter: "No one is going to take our democracy away from us. Not now, not ever."
An US Flag sign reading "Vote" is seen at a poll on early Tuesday as voters arrive to cast their votes in the midterm elections in Fairfax, Virginia, United States on November 06, 2018. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Jeremy Bash, former chief of staff at the CIA and Department of Defense in the Obama administration, told MSNBC's Craig Melvin that Trump's claims of a fraudulent election transmit "chaos and weakness" to allies and adversaries abroad. "I think unfortunately it emboldens our adversaries because they look here and they think, boy, the United States is in chaos, when in fact we're not. We had a very orderly voting process, and we're having a very orderly counting process," Bash said. "The presidential election is the crown jewel of American democracy. This should be a moment for us to shine, and the president is taking us down a very dark path," Bash added.


cnbc--2020-11-07--These maps show how Joe Biden won Michigan and Wisconsin

Young men point at an electoral college map at an event at Lulu Bar on November 04 , 2020 in Wellington , New Zealand hosted by the United States Embassy and the NZ U.S Council to watch the results of the 2020 U.S election come through .
on November 04 , 2020 in Wellington , New Zealand .
It looks like the Blue Wall held this time .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will carry Michigan and Wisconsin , two of the states that propelled President Donald Trump to the White House four years ago , according to NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 253 electoral votes , just shy of the 270 he needs to win the 2020 presidential election .
All eyes have turned to the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania , a state too close to call as it tallies its final ballots .
Democrats saw reclaiming the Midwest as their clearest path to denying Trump a second term .
Fueled by a strong performance in rural areas , Trump carried both Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 in the first wins there for a Republican since 1988 .
Preliminary , unofficial results show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties across the two states that Trump won in 2016 .
His success in turning narrow Democratic losses four years ago into close wins this week came from running ahead of Hillary Clinton in key counties .

Young men point at an electoral college map at an event at Lulu Bar on November 04, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand hosted by the United States Embassy and the NZ U.S Council to watch the results of the 2020 U.S election come through. on November 04, 2020 in Wellington, New Zealand.
It looks like the Blue Wall held this time.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will carry Michigan and Wisconsin, two of the states that propelled President Donald Trump to the White House four years ago, according to NBC News projections.
Those expected wins leave Biden with 253 electoral votes, just shy of the 270 he needs to win the 2020 presidential election. All eyes have turned to the 20 electoral votes in Pennsylvania, a state too close to call as it tallies its final ballots.
Democrats saw reclaiming the Midwest as their clearest path to denying Trump a second term. Fueled by a strong performance in rural areas, Trump carried both Michigan and Wisconsin in 2016 in the first wins there for a Republican since 1988.
Preliminary, unofficial results show Biden could flip as many as four counties across the two states that Trump won in 2016. His success in turning narrow Democratic losses four years ago into close wins this week came from running ahead of Hillary Clinton in key counties.


cnbc--2020-11-07--McConnell and Pelosi are once again at odds over the size of a coronavirus stimulus package

The two most powerful people in Congress — at least for the next two months — renewed their calls for coronavirus stimulus on Friday .
A relief deal could prove just as difficult to reach as it did before Election Day .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , again called for a targeted aid package .
In Kentucky , he argued a better-than-expected October jobs report that saw the U.S. unemployment rate fall to 6.9 % reduces the need for a sweeping stimulus bill .
`` I think it reinforces the argument that I 've been making for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller – rather than throwing another $ 3 trillion at this issue – is more appropriate , '' he told reporters , according to Reuters .
McConnell noted that he will not necessarily lead the Senate in January : NBC News projects both Republicans and Democrats will hold at least 48 seats , with four races unsettled .
Meanwhile , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Republicans to restart aid talks that fell apart before the 2020 election .
She told reporters that the `` imperative to act could not be greater '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 120,000 new Covid-19 infections on Thursday .
Still , she said a narrow bill `` does n't appeal to me at all . ''
The chambers of Congress failed to find common ground on relief before the election , as Senate Republicans tried to pass a $ 500 billion aid bill and House Democrats approved a $ 2.2 trillion package .

The two most powerful people in Congress — at least for the next two months — renewed their calls for coronavirus stimulus on Friday.
A relief deal could prove just as difficult to reach as it did before Election Day.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., again called for a targeted aid package. In Kentucky, he argued a better-than-expected October jobs report that saw the U.S. unemployment rate fall to 6.9% reduces the need for a sweeping stimulus bill.
"I think it reinforces the argument that I've been making for the last few months, that something smaller – rather than throwing another $3 trillion at this issue – is more appropriate," he told reporters, according to Reuters. McConnell noted that he will not necessarily lead the Senate in January: NBC News projects both Republicans and Democrats will hold at least 48 seats, with four races unsettled.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Republicans to restart aid talks that fell apart before the 2020 election. She told reporters that the "imperative to act could not be greater" after the U.S. posted a record of more than 120,000 new Covid-19 infections on Thursday.
Still, she said a narrow bill "doesn't appeal to me at all." The chambers of Congress failed to find common ground on relief before the election, as Senate Republicans tried to pass a $500 billion aid bill and House Democrats approved a $2.2 trillion package.


cnbc--2020-11-07--GOP pollster says the Biden-Trump election could be called by Saturday afternoon


cnbc--2020-11-07--Democrats are projected to lose House seats but keep their majority

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a Democrat from California , speaks during a news conference at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee headquarters in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Tuesday , Nov. 3 , 2020 .
In races called by NBC , Republicans have flipped a net six seats .
Democrats have won 208 seats , the GOP has carried 195 and 32 remain uncalled .
NBC estimates Democrats will hold 226 House seats , while Republicans will have 209 .
The figures could change , as NBC said the parties may ultimately end up with as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those projections .
( Eight fewer seats for Democrats would put them at 218 , the minimum they need for a majority ) .
But after a series of rough early returns from the 2020 election , the party will likely have fewer seats in January than it does now .
Democrats will keep their U.S. House majority in the next Congress , according to NBC News .
Republicans have so far cut into the Democratic majority mostly by gaining back ground they lost in the 2018 midterms , when Democrats flipped House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least seven House Democrats , including six first-term representatives .
They will also gain a seat previously occupied by independent Rep. Justin Amash .
• Republican Michelle Fischbach will prevail over longtime Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota 's 7th District .
• GOP candidate Yvette Herrell will win her rematch against first-term Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico 's 2nd District .
• Republican Peter Meijer will win the race to replace Amash over Democrat Hillary Scholten .
Democrats have also gained two seats in races called by NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win races for North Carolina 's 2nd and 6th Districts , respectively .
Both GOP-held seats became more friendly to Democrats after redistricting in the state .
Entering Election Day , forecasters projected Democrats would gain House seats and challenge for the Senate majority .
Now , Democrats may only end up with a narrow majority in the House , as states count final results to determine whether Republicans hold their advantage in the Senate .
Republicans may have benefited from certain swing voters backing presidential Democratic nominee Joe Biden and congressional GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage for House Democrats , said Kyle Kondik , managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabato 's Crystal Ball .
He believes Democrats `` were expecting a better overall environment than what they got . ''
`` For the second straight presidential election , Donald Trump was not the drag down-ballot that it appeared he could have been — and , in fact , the turnout from Trump-loving voters probably helped Republicans more broadly in House and Senate races , '' Kondik said in an email .
In a letter to House Democrats on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in Biden winning the presidential election .
Remaining tallies in states including Pennsylvania , Georgia , Nevada and Arizona will determine whether he or President Donald Trump occupy the White House for the next four years .
She said that the Democratic House and White House would `` have the opportunity to deliver extraordinary progress '' on issues including health care , infrastructure and clean government .
She acknowledged a `` challenging election '' and said Democratic candidates `` made us proud . ''
In a separate caucus call Thursday , Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not win every battle , but we did win the war , '' according to NBC News .
`` In 2018 , we won 40 seats .
We went deep into Trump districts when Trump was not on the ballot .
But clearly with Trump on the ballot , we knew it would be a steeper climb , '' NBC reported , citing a source on the call .
Out of the nine Democratic-held districts the nonpartisan Cook Political Report listed as toss-up races , NBC projects Republicans will win at least four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 Republican seats and one independent-held district as toss-ups .
The GOP has won all nine of those races that NBC has called so far .
House Democrats aimed to expand their reach in the 2020 election , targeting a range of Republican seats in states including Texas , North Carolina and Florida .
After an often-discussed push by Democrats to win GOP-held seats in Texas , the party has not flipped any of the districts it targeted ( though NBC has not projected results in at least two of them ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats in Florida , and two South Florida House Democrats currently trail in races not yet called by NBC .
Even so , NBC projects Democrats will hold a range of key districts they won in 2018 .
Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Colin Allred are expected to keep their seats in Texas .
Rep. Lucy McBath will win reelection in Georgia , as will Reps. Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens of Michigan , Josh Harder of California , Kim Schrier of Washington , Jared Golden of Maine and Andy Kim and Tom Malinowski @ @ @ @

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, speaks during a news conference at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.
In races called by NBC, Republicans have flipped a net six seats. Democrats have won 208 seats, the GOP has carried 195 and 32 remain uncalled.
NBC estimates Democrats will hold 226 House seats, while Republicans will have 209. The figures could change, as NBC said the parties may ultimately end up with as many as eight seats more or less than those projections. (Eight fewer seats for Democrats would put them at 218, the minimum they need for a majority).
But after a series of rough early returns from the 2020 election , the party will likely have fewer seats in January than it does now.
Democrats will keep their U.S. House majority in the next Congress, according to NBC News.
Republicans have so far cut into the Democratic majority mostly by gaining back ground they lost in the 2018 midterms, when Democrats flipped House control. The GOP will defeat at least seven House Democrats, including six first-term representatives. They will also gain a seat previously occupied by independent Rep. Justin Amash.
Republican Nancy Mace will beat freshman Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham in South Carolina's 1st District.
GOP candidate Stephanie Bice will defeat first-term Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn in Oklahoma's 5th District.
Republican Michelle Fischbach will prevail over longtime Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson in Minnesota's 7th District.
GOP candidate Yvette Herrell will win her rematch against first-term Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in New Mexico's 2nd District.
Republican Ashley Hinson will defeat first-term Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer in Iowa's 1st District.
GOP candidate Maria Elvira Salazar will beat freshman Rep. Donna Shalala in Florida's 27th District.
Republican Peter Meijer will win the race to replace Amash over Democrat Hillary Scholten.
Republican Carlos Gimenez will unseat Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in Florida's 26th District.
Democrats have also gained two seats in races called by NBC News. Deborah Ross and Kathy Manning will win races for North Carolina's 2nd and 6th Districts, respectively. Both GOP-held seats became more friendly to Democrats after redistricting in the state.
Entering Election Day, forecasters projected Democrats would gain House seats and challenge for the Senate majority. Now, Democrats may only end up with a narrow majority in the House, as states count final results to determine whether Republicans hold their advantage in the Senate.
Republicans may have benefited from certain swing voters backing presidential Democratic nominee Joe Biden and congressional GOP candidates, along with a reduced incumbency advantage for House Democrats, said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabato's Crystal Ball. He believes Democrats "were expecting a better overall environment than what they got."
"For the second straight presidential election, Donald Trump was not the drag down-ballot that it appeared he could have been — and, in fact, the turnout from Trump-loving voters probably helped Republicans more broadly in House and Senate races," Kondik said in an email.
In a letter to House Democrats on Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi projected confidence in Biden winning the presidential election. Remaining tallies in states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona will determine whether he or President Donald Trump occupy the White House for the next four years.
She said that the Democratic House and White House would "have the opportunity to deliver extraordinary progress" on issues including health care, infrastructure and clean government. She acknowledged a "challenging election" and said Democratic candidates "made us proud."
In a separate caucus call Thursday, Pelosi told Democrats that the party "did not win every battle, but we did win the war," according to NBC News.
"In 2018, we won 40 seats. We went deep into Trump districts when Trump was not on the ballot. But clearly with Trump on the ballot, we knew it would be a steeper climb," NBC reported, citing a source on the call.
Out of the nine Democratic-held districts the nonpartisan Cook Political Report listed as toss-up races, NBC projects Republicans will win at least four. Five are unresolved.
Cook considered 17 Republican seats and one independent-held district as toss-ups. The GOP has won all nine of those races that NBC has called so far.
House Democrats aimed to expand their reach in the 2020 election, targeting a range of Republican seats in states including Texas, North Carolina and Florida. After an often-discussed push by Democrats to win GOP-held seats in Texas, the party has not flipped any of the districts it targeted (though NBC has not projected results in at least two of them).
The party also did not gain any seats in Florida, and two South Florida House Democrats currently trail in races not yet called by NBC.
Even so, NBC projects Democrats will hold a range of key districts they won in 2018. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Colin Allred are expected to keep their seats in Texas.
Rep. Lucy McBath will win reelection in Georgia, as will Reps. Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens of Michigan, Josh Harder of California, Kim Schrier of Washington, Jared Golden of Maine and Andy Kim and Tom Malinowski of New Jersey.