Although many of the votes in House races were still being counted Wednesday, one thing was already clear: These were not the results Democrats hoped for or expected.

It wasnt the worst-case scenario. As of Wednesday afternoon, Joe Biden appeared to have staked out an advantage against President Donald Trump as counting continued in several too-close-to-call states. And while Democrats dont look like theyll take back the Senate as they thought, their House majority appears intact.

But Democrats were hoping for considerable gains in both chambers four or five more Senate seats, and double-digit gains in the House. Instead, it looks like Republicans will retain their Senate majority, even with uncalled races and a runoff election in Georgia. And it now appears that Democrats will lose seats in the House.

Democrats had some cushion in the House, with a 232-197 party breakdown in the chamber (with five vacancies and one Libertarian). But Republicans appear poised to knock that number down by at least a half-dozen seats, potentially even crossing into double-digit territory.

Again, election officials are still counting votes in many races, but when the dust settles, it looks like Republicans will have flipped seats in Florida, New York, New Mexico, Minnesota and Iowa among others.

In Florida, Democratic Reps. Donna Shalala and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell both lost to Republican challengers Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez, respectively. In Minnesota, 15-term Democrat Collin Peterson the chairman of the Agriculture Committee finally lost his seat, even after voting for a number of GOP priorities and against impeachment. In Iowa, freshman Democrat Abby Finkenauer narrowly lost to Ashley Hinson. In New Mexico, Rep. Xochitl Torres Small lost to GOP challenger Yvette Herrell. In Oklahoma, Rep. Kendra Horn lost to Republican Stephanie Bice. In New York, Max Rose badly lost to Republican Nicole Malliotakis, and Anthony Brindisi lost a rematch to former Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney. And in South Carolina, Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham lost to Nancy Mace.