Democrats Win US Senate, Close in on House Majority in Midterm Elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS | WASHINGTON: Democrats have won control of the United States Senate and are closing in on a majority in the House of Representatives following midterm elections that have dealt a major political setback to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

The Associated Press reported that Democratic candidates secured a series of significant victories in Senate races, flipping Republican-held seats in Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, among other contests.

The results give Democrats control of the Senate for the first time since Republicans took the chamber in the 2024 elections, shifting the balance of power in Washington and creating a major obstacle to Trump’s legislative agenda during the remaining two years of his presidency.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico secured a historic victory, becoming the first Democrat to win a US Senate race in the state since 1988. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews also defeated Republican-backed candidate Darline Graham in a closely watched contest.

Former senator Sherrod Brown returned to the Senate after defeating Republican Jon Husted in Ohio, while Democrat Roy Cooper won in North Carolina, ending an 18-year gap since the party last secured a Senate victory in the state.

Democrats have also made substantial gains in the House, winning competitive races in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York and New Jersey. Several Republican incumbents lost their seats, putting Democrats within reach of taking control of the chamber. Vote counting was still underway in a number of districts.

A Democratic majority in the House would give the party control of key committees and greater powers to scrutinise the Trump administration, including through congressional investigations and oversight hearings.

The election results reflect voter concerns over the cost of living, the administration’s policies and the direction of the country. The Associated Press reported that the war in Iran and government corruption were also among the issues shaping voter concerns.

Trump, who was not on the ballot, had urged voters to support Republican candidates as his party sought to retain control of Congress. The results now leave his administration facing the prospect of a Democratic-controlled legislature, which could complicate efforts to pass legislation and advance key policy priorities.

The midterm elections are held halfway through a US president’s four-year term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and roughly one-third of the Senate seats are contested, alongside several gubernatorial and state-level races.

The Senate outcome is a major shift in the balance of power in Washington, while the final composition of the House will determine the extent of Democratic control over Congress in the second half of Trump’s presidency.

Additional reporting by agencies.