The South flexes political power in midterms, sets regional influence in 2028 election

Tuesday's dramatic midterm results have transformed the electoral map, ensuring the path to future power for Democrats and Republicans must run through the South and its diverse voting population.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6561x4374+0+0/resize/6561x4374!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F90%2Fce%2F76c5d384413cb4cb756b1ad6066d%2Fgettyimages-2303418148.jpg' alt='Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks during an election night watch party on Nov. 3 in Atlanta. Bottoms will be the nation's first Black woman governor.'/><p>Tuesday's dramatic midterm results have transformed the electoral map, ensuring the path to future power for Democrats and Republicans must run through the South and its diverse voting population.</p><p>(Image credit: Megan Varner)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-6029818' />