The Democratic Party has seized majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the US Congress, a move representing a significant political setback for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party, according to US media. This result comes amid the ongoing vote counting in the midterm elections held on Tuesday.
In the same context, Democrats achieved significant gains outside their traditional strongholds, winning in states that voted for Trump by a large margin in the 2024 presidential election, including Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas. The results indicate widespread voter dissatisfaction with the Trump administration, particularly regarding the economy, rising cost of living, and the war launched against Iran in February last year.
For his part, CBS News reported that Democrats secured a majority in the House of Representatives by winning 259 seats out of 435, compared to 176 seats for Republicans. Democrats won in at least 15 electoral districts previously under Republican control, including districts in Kentucky, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
The results indicate that Democrats have regained the majority in the Senate by controlling 54 seats out of 100, compared to 46 for Republicans. These victories represent a major shift in the political balance of power in Washington, granting Democrats control over the Senate's legislative agenda, chairmanship of its committees, and confirmation procedures for appointments.
Trump added via his social media platform: "I was not on the ballot, but if I had been a candidate, we would have won by a landslide! Thank you for your interest in this matter." Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff considered the results a popular rejection of the Trump administration, stating: "Through broad and decisive victories, the American people have rebuked the corruption, decline, and incompetence of President Donald Trump, who has become a president lacking political influence."
CBS News quoted Trump as saying: "I think the Democrats will want to work with me, otherwise I will use the veto against everything." Democratic Party gains extended to gubernatorial elections, including in Texas, where Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
Unexpected Gains
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton won a Senate seat, becoming the first candidate from his party elected to represent the state in the Senate since the Great Depression in the 1930s. In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown won a Senate seat in a state where Trump won by a margin exceeding 10 percentage points in the 2024 elections.
Victories in Republican States
Texas witnessed a prominent Democratic victory, as James Talariqo defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. In South Carolina, Democratic pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Republican Senator Darlene Graham, in another electoral surprise in a state where Trump won by a margin of approximately 18 percentage points in the 2024 elections.
Political Reactions
These victories represent a major shift in the political balance of power in Washington, granting Democrats control over the Senate's legislative agenda, chairmanship of its committees, and confirmation procedures for appointments. Democrat Ilhan Omar was re-elected to the House representing Minnesota, after defeating her Republican opponent John Nagl.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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