The Democratic Party has scored a stunning victory in the 2026 US midterm elections, winning control of both chambers of Congress in a major setback for President Donald Trump and his Republican administration.

The results mark a dramatic shift in American politics, with voters delivering a strong rebuke to Republicans less than two years into Trump's second term.

The Democrats' victories in traditionally Republican states, including Texas, Ohio, Kansas and South Carolina, have made the outcome particularly significant. Several of the seats had long been considered difficult for Democrats to win.

A Wave of Republican Defeats

The scale of the Democratic gains has surprised even some within the party. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall, ending a Republican hold on the state's Senate seat that had lasted since 1932.

In Texas, James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in a closely watched contest. His victory marks the first time in 38 years that a Democrat has won a US Senate seat in the state.

Talarico celebrated the result before supporters in Austin, declaring: "We just took back Texas."

South Carolina also delivered an unexpected result, with Democrat Annie Andrews defeating Republican Darline Graham. In Ohio, former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted.

The victories underline the extent of the Republican losses across states that had been considered safe territory for Trump's party.

Cost of Living Emerges as a Major Election Issue

Economic pressure appears to have played a central role in the Republican defeat.

Voters expressed frustration over the cost of living, including higher fuel prices and the rising cost of everyday goods. The war involving Iran and Trump's tariffs also featured prominently in concerns about the economy.

Reuters reported that nearly nine in 10 voters identified the cost of living as a major factor in their decision. Almost two-thirds blamed Trump for high prices, according to exit polls.

The findings suggest that economic concerns outweighed Republican efforts to portray Democratic candidates as too extreme for government.

For many voters, the election became an opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the direction of the country.

 

Trump Congratulates Democrats but Rejects Personal Blame

Trump has acknowledged the Republican losses, although he has rejected the suggestion that the results amount to a personal rejection of his presidency.

Speaking to Fox News, the president said Democrats had "did a good job" and praised their campaign efforts.

He also acknowledged that higher fuel prices had hurt Republican candidates, admitting that voters were unhappy about paying more at petrol stations.

However, Trump maintained that the election was not a verdict on his leadership, arguing that his administration had achieved significant results on the economy and border security.

The president also indicated that he was prepared to work with Democrats, despite the political challenges their congressional majority will create.

 

What Democratic Control Means for Trump

The Democratic victory will significantly alter the balance of power in Washington.

With control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Democrats will have greater influence over legislation, government spending and congressional investigations.

They will also be able to scrutinise decisions made by Trump's administration and challenge some of his most controversial policies.

The change is expected to make it harder for the president to advance his legislative agenda during the final two years of his term.

However, Democratic control does not mean Trump loses his presidential powers. He retains the authority to veto legislation passed by Congress, while major bills will still face procedural hurdles in the Senate.

The new Congress is expected to take office in January 2027.

 

Michigan Senate Race Draws Attention

In Michigan, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed claimed victory over Republican Mike Rogers, but the race had not yet been officially called by the Associated Press at the time of its report.

Addressing supporters in Detroit, El-Sayed thanked voters for backing what he described as an unlikely campaign.

"You took a chance on the unlikeliest of candidates," he told the crowd.

He also criticised his opponent's campaign, accusing it of making his Muslim faith and identity central issues.

If confirmed, his election would make him the first Muslim member of the US Senate. However, the final result remained subject to the counting and verification of votes.

 

The results leave Trump facing a more divided political landscape as he enters the final two years of his presidency. For Democrats, the victory presents an opportunity to challenge his administration while convincing voters that they can offer solutions to the economic pressures that shaped the election.