US Democrats have made gains in state elections, in what is being seen as a blow to President Donald Trump.
Democrat Andy Beshear claimed victory in Kentucky’s governor vote, after a tight race in the conservative-leaning state.
Meanwhile, Democrats seized full control of the legislature in Virginia for the first time in over 20 years.
The results are being viewed as a gauge of the political mood ahead of next year’s presidential election.
However, Republicans held on to power in the Mississippi governor vote, following a closely-fought race in the traditional Republican stronghold.
US state governors head the executive branch in state governments.
In Kentucky, Mr Beshear claimed victory over incumbent Republican governor Matt Bevin after final results gave him a lead of 0.4%.
Mr Bevin, 52, says he will not concede, citing unspecified “irregularities”.
However, Mr Beshear, a 41-year-old attorney general whose father was a former governor of the state, said: “We will be ready for that first day in office and I look forward to it.”
The loss will be seen as a setback for Mr Trump, who attempted to galvanise support for Mr Bevin at a campaign rally in Kentucky on Monday night.
In a speech to thousands of supporters, Mr Trump said a loss for Mr Bevin would be characterised as “the greatest defeat in the history of the world” by his critics.
Mr Beshear, he said, was “too extreme and too dangerous” to govern the state.
However polls showed Mr Bevin was one of the least popular governors in the country, following high-profile battles with unions and teachers.
