Senate control in question as candidates make final pitches

WASHINGTON — Control of the Senate is hanging in the balance as candidates from Nevada to New Hampshire make their closing pitches to voters after a tough and costly campaign.

Republicans feared their slim 54-46 majority could slip away as they battled cross-currents from all sides, not least their unconventional presidential nominee, Donald Trump.

Democrats seemed likely to defeat GOP incumbents in Illinois and probably Wisconsin. Republican senators in Florida, Arizona and Ohio appeared to have comfortable leads.

But a half dozen states could go either way: Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Missouri, North Carolina and Indiana.

Democrats need to pick up five seats to take the majority, or four if Hillary Clinton wins the White House and could send her vice president to break ties in a 50-50 Senate.