Democrats Projected to Capture House and Senate in Midterm Upset
Voters in red states flipped multiple seats, driven by economic discontent and a drop in presidential approval ratings.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Democrats are projected to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and secure a majority in the Senate following Tuesday's midterm elections. Projections from ABC News indicate that Democrats flipped at least six Senate seats and a dozen House seats. These victories occurred in both battleground states and deep red states that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
The shift in power is set to curb executive influence in Congress. This change comes amid a war with Iran that polls describe as unpopular, climbing inflation, and record-high fuel prices. A two-week pre-election poll conducted by ABC News, Washington Post, and Ipsos found that 65% of Americans disapprove of how the president handles the economy. That figure represents a record high over both of Trump's presidential terms. His overall approval rating dipped to 37%, the lowest of his current term, while his disapproval rating hit a record 62%.
President Trump urged supporters to vote as if he were on the ballot during his campaign rallies. On Tuesday night, he posted on social media that he was not a candidate. He claimed that if he had been, his side would have won in a landslide. In a phone interview with The New York Times, Trump stated he is willing to accept the results and work with the new congressional leadership. He said, 'I am absolutely willing to accept those results.' He added that the administration will look forward to working with Democrats to resolve differences.
Democrats achieved historic wins in several states. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is projected to defeat Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico would become the first Democrat to win a Texas statewide race in more than 30 years. The last Democrat to win a U.S. Senate election there was in 1988. Talarico, a former state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, focused his campaign on the economy. He criticized Paxton for political scandals that have embroiled the attorney general's career.
In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews is projected to win the seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham for 23 years. Andrews, a pediatrician, defeated incumbent Darline Graham, who had been appointed to succeed her brother after his unexpected death in July. Darline Graham was the first woman to represent the state in the Senate, but Andrews is projected to be the first woman elected to the position.
In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper is projected to win the open seat. He defeated Republican Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman endorsed by Trump. The seat was previously held by Sen. Thom Tillis, a critic of Trump who announced his retirement last year. In Georgia, incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff is projected to win reelection against Rep. Mike Collins. Ossoff was viewed as vulnerable earlier in the cycle, but Collins faced scrutiny over his support for the war in Iran and campaign controversies.
In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Sen. Susan Collins. Collins, a moderate elected in 1996, conceded the race by phone. She stated in a statement that it had been the honor of her life to serve the people of Maine. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, is projected to defeat incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall. These results give Democrats 51 seats in the Senate, including the two independent senators who caucus with the party.
The House race was decided by 14 toss-up seats in states including Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Democrats needed to gain at least three seats to take control. The Republican caucus, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, currently holds 220 seats, while Democrats hold 215. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will become the first Black speaker of the House if his party secures the majority. Jeffries has vowed to push for dramatic reform of the Supreme Court. He described the conservative majority as a subsidiary of the MAGA Republican Party. Democrats are also aiming to elect at least 100 women to the House, a new record. Currently, 125 women hold House seats, with 95 serving as Democrats.
The final tally of the Senate race gives Democrats a 51-49 advantage. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, while Democrats have 45, plus two independents. The Vice President holds the tie-breaking vote. The new composition of Congress will take effect in January, marking a return to divided government for the first time since the 117th Congress.
