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Article snippet: Months of speculation and rumination collided with reality on Tuesday as Democrats secured a long-sought majority in the House while Republicans tightened their grip on the Senate. Election Day did not unfold exactly as either party had hoped. Democrats failed to hold onto several key Senate seats, while Republicans were ultimately unable to keep their losses in the House below the 23-seat threshold that Democrats needed to win the chamber. But there were bright spots for the parties, as well. Democrats made gains in many of the suburban districts they had sought to pick up, while Republicans consolidated their support in deep-red states, like North Dakota and Indiana. Here are five takeaways from the election night. Florida falls short of Democrats’ expectations Election Day in Florida wasn’t all that Democrats had hoped for. As voters headed to the polls on Tuesday, party strategists and officials were bullish, not just on their chances in several key House races, but in their prospects of retaking the governor’s mansion for the first time in two decades. But as the vote count came in, their expectations went unmet. Andrew Gillum, the progressive mayor of Tallahassee whose gubernatorial bid had captured the hearts of Democrats, ultimately conceded to Republican Ron DeSantis. He trailed by only one point. Likewise, in Florida’s ultra-competitive Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scott appeared to be headed for a narrow win over incumbent Sen. MORE (D-Fla.), brin... Link to the full article to read more