Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln did not win the Senate election in 1858, but gained national attention through debates with Stephen Douglas. Republicans won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and gained seats in the Senate. Stephen Douglas retained his seat in the Senate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The outcome of the midterm election in 1858 had several important consequences. While Abraham Lincoln was not elected to the Senate, he gained national attention through his debates with Stephen Douglas, which catapulted him into the national spotlight. The Republicans did well in the elections, winning control of the U.S. House of Representatives and gaining seats in the Senate. However, Stephen Douglas managed to retain his seat in the Senate, reinforcing his position as the leader of the northern Democrats.