Democrats score historic midterm wins, signalling generational defeat for Republicans amid Trump’s low approval ratings and cost of living issues
Democratic victories in several states surprised many in historic U.S. midterm elections, indicating disillusionment with the Republican party.
Donald Trump’s low approval ratings and the cost of living crisis motivated voters to oppose Republicans.
Democrat Adam Hamilton won a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas, unseating Republican Roger Marshall in a state Trump previously won by over 10 points.
In Texas, Christian progressive James Talarico secured a Senate seat, ending a 32-year Democratic losing streak, despite significant Republican spending.
BREAKING: President Trump congratulates Democrats on their midterm victories but makes one thing clear: He does not view the results as a rejection of his leadership.
“Congratulations to the Democrats. They did a good job. They’ve been looking for this one for 11 years, and they finally got it. But I don’t view it as a hit on me. I think we’ve done … We’ve had the greatest two years in the history of the presidency.”
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— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 4, 2026
Historic wins
South Carolina made history with Democrat Annie Andrews becoming the first Democrat elected to Senate in the state since 1998, defeating appointee Darline Graham.
Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa, marking the first Democratic Senate victory there since 2008.
In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom posed a serious challenge to Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, potentially becoming the state’s first Black senator since the U.S. Civil War Reconstruction era.
The combination of Trump’s low approval ratings and the cost of living crisis contributed significantly to the Republican defeats.
On the eve of the election, Trump faced plunging approval ratings, impacted by voter discontent over the war with Iran and rising fuel costs.
Trump urged voters at rallies to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” and later claimed he would have won “IN A LANDSLIDE” if he had been.
He conveyed mixed messages to Democrats, congratulating them while hinting at using his presidential veto power.
David Smith predicts a legislative gridlock, anticipating constant committee hearings as Democrats aim to challenge Trump’s administration.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declared the midterm results as the start of a “great American comeback,” committing to improving lives.
