Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress in a sweeping midterm election victory, dealing a major blow to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.
The victory in Tuesday’s elections gives Democrats control of the House of Representatives and Senate, positioning them to block Trump’s legislative agenda and investigate alleged corruption during the final two years of his presidency.
According to Channels Television, the results reflected growing voter dissatisfaction over rising living costs, tariffs and Trump’s war against Iran, which has contributed to soaring fuel prices.
Democrats Make Historic Gains
The Democrats’ Senate victories included major upsets in traditionally Republican states, with Kansas and Iowa among the latest to fall in the party’s favour.
In Kansas, Methodist minister Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1932.
Iowa also elected a Democratic senator for the first time since 2008, underscoring the scale of the party’s gains in Republican strongholds.
The victories followed Democratic wins in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, where voters rejected Republican candidates despite Trump’s efforts to rally support.
Texas delivered one of the election’s biggest surprises, with Democrat James Talarico defeating a Trump-backed Senate candidate.
Gina Hinojosa also defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control of the state’s top office.
Democrats secured six Senate seats, enough for networks to project control of the chamber, although some races remained unresolved.
Republicans previously held a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Republicans Lose Ground in House
Democrats also captured the House of Representatives after winning Republican-held districts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky, Arizona and North Carolina.
Some victories came in areas Trump had comfortably won in the 2024 presidential election, despite Republican efforts to protect their seats through redistricting.
In Indiana, Democrat J.D. Ford defeated Republican congresswoman Victoria Spartz in a district Trump had won by 17 percentage points.
Democrats also made gains in state elections.
Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won Georgia’s governorship, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in US history.
Republicans, however, recorded victories in Florida, where Trump-backed Byron Donalds won the governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor. Ashley Moody also retained a Senate seat.
George Washington University professor Todd Belt described the Democratic gains as a major rejection of Trump and his policies, pointing to concerns about the economy, corruption and the Iran conflict.
Trump Faces Congressional Opposition
The election results leave Trump facing a Congress controlled by his political opponents for the remainder of his presidency.
Democrats will be able to block legislation, investigate allegations involving the administration and scrutinise its handling of the Iran war and immigration enforcement.
Senate control will also give Democrats greater influence over judicial appointments and senior government nominations.
Robert Garcia, a Democrat expected to lead the powerful House Oversight Committee, warned Republicans on social media to prepare for investigations.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declared that Trump’s MAGA movement was “on the run from sea to shining sea”.
Jeffries could become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January, subject to a vote by his colleagues.
Economy Drives Voter Dissatisfaction
Economic concerns emerged as a major factor behind the Democratic victory.
Many voters expressed frustration over the rising cost of housing, groceries, utilities and property taxes.
Taylor Cook, a 24-year-old Los Angeles voter, told AFP that rent, groceries, utility bills and property taxes continued to climb.
The results mark a significant political setback for Trump, whose party now faces a Democratic-controlled Congress capable of challenging key elements of his agenda.
