Election 2024 updates: Trump begins selecting cabinet positions

In the end, most voters did want to go back.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Democrats pounded away at a message of turning the page on former President Donald Trump and his brand of politics, promoting former aides who questioned his commitment to democracy and producing their own plans to combat things like price gouging and high home costs.

Wednesday morning, though, they were reckoning with a stunning sweep by Trump, who as the now-president-elect, appeared set for a swing-state sweep and left Democrats wondering how it all went so wrong.

"Complete, unmitigated disaster," Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis said when asked about the results. "That was a wholesale repudiation of the Democratic message, the Democratic strategy, Harris' candidacy. There is no way to sugarcoat what an abject disaster this was."

Click here for analysis on the pitfalls of the Harris campaign and what may come during Trump's second term.

President Joe Biden will address the nation at 11 a.m. on Thursday from the Rose Garden, the White House said on Wednesday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson formally launched his bid to continue serving as leader in a letter sent to GOP colleagues on Wednesday.

"I'm ready to take the field with all of you, and I am humbly asking for your support to continue leading this Conference as your Speaker. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve with you thus far, and I look forward to playing the biggest offense of our lives. We have a country to save-and we will," Johnson said in the letter obtained by ABC News.

Johnson represents Louisiana in the House.

House GOP leadership elections will take place behind closed doors on Nov. 13.

Johnson said, "as we have planned and expected, the latest data indicates that we will also hold - and likely grow-our Republican majority in the House, even though we faced a map with 18 Biden-won seats."

ABC News has not yet projected the House majority.

It was just a little over a year ago when Republicans elected Johnson as House speaker after ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In a statement Wednesday night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Vice President Kamala Harris' "historic candidacy inspired millions and her vision for a better future for all Americans will endure."

"Her advocacy on many issues -- from lower costs, more affordable housing, and a fairer tax system - will continue to have strong impacts on America and on our party," he said.

Schumer also reaffirmed Senate Democrats' commitment to "working with our Republican colleagues to deliver for the American people."

"As I've said time and again, in both the majority and the minority, the only way to get things done in the Senate is through bipartisan legislation while maintaining our principles -- and the next two years will be no different," Schumer said.