Democrats win control of Congress as Republicans suffer sweeping midterm losses

Democrats regained control of both chambers of the United States Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, handing President Donald Trump and his Republican Party a major defeat. Their gains reached across Democratic and Republican districts, with at least six Senate seats changing hands in conservative strongholds across the South and Midwest.

With counting continuing, Democrats appeared likely to win more than 230 House seats, securing one of their largest majorities since former President Barack Obama first took office. Republicans had captured the chamber in 2022 amid inflation following the pandemic during Joe Biden’s presidency. Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries, now positioned to become the chamber’s first Black speaker, told supporters in Washington that the results showed Americans wanted Congress to deliver for them.

Several Senate contests broke long Republican winning streaks. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton, a minister at the country’s largest Methodist congregation, defeated incumbent Roger Marshall, making him the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the Senate in 94 years. In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek claimed victory over former television journalist Ashley Hinson. Trump had carried Iowa by 13 points two years earlier, but the state has experienced some of the hardest effects of his tariff policy.

Democrats also gained ground in the South. Former two-term North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper won the Senate seat held by departing Republican Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff comfortably secured another term, while Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor. Addressing supporters in Atlanta, Ossoff described the results as a decisive rejection of Trump’s presidency.

In Texas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in a Senate contest that attracted national attention for its spending and attacks. Another striking result came in South Carolina, which Trump won by 18 points in 2024. Paediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Senator Darline Graham, who had been appointed following the death of her brother, Lindsey Graham. Andrews will be the state’s first Democratic senator in nearly 30 years.

Economic dissatisfaction was central to the election. Associated Press polling found that roughly four in 10 voters considered the economy the country’s most important issue. Most expressed concern about expensive petrol and groceries, with prices having risen sharply after the United States launched a war against Iran in February.

Republicans pointed to those pressures in explaining their losses. One party figure told Al Jazeera that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth bore responsibility, alleging that he had persuaded Trump the war would bring an easy victory and had ultimately cost Republicans the election.

Trump distanced himself from the outcome despite previously urging Republicans to vote as though he were on the ballot. In a social media post, he argued that the party would have won overwhelmingly had he been a candidate. He also blamed fellow Republicans, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whom he criticised on Truth Social after Abbott’s defeat.

Graham used her concession speech to urge Republicans to examine their position and remain involved in politics. Acknowledging a difficult election cycle, she said conservatives needed to do more work as the party considered its next steps.