Democrats pick up U.S. governorships but lose Florida, Ohio

A Georgia election ballot with Republican Brian Kemp facing off against Democrat Stacey Abrams in the race for governor is seen as voters cast her votes in the 2018 U.S. midterm election at a Fulton County polling place in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Democrats picked up governorships in Kansas and at least three other U.S. states on Tuesday but failed to win high-profile races in Florida and Ohio, as voters cast ballots in three dozen gubernatorial contests across the country.

Democrat Andrew Gillum lost his bid to become Florida's first black governor, suffering a razor-thin defeat to Republican Ron DeSantis in a racially charged contest that drew national attention.