Trump, Republicans Lose Control of US Senate in Midterms

By Staff Reporter

Washington — Democrats have recaptured a majority in the United States (U.S.) Senate, flipping multiple Republican-held seats in traditionally conservative states and delivering a sharp electoral setback to President Donald Trump two years into his second term.

The Associated Press, Decision Desk HQ, CNN and other major outlets projected the Democratic majority late on election night Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after a cascade of victories that exceeded pre-election expectations.

Republicans entered the midterms holding a 53-47 advantage, including two independents who caucus with Democrats.

Democrats needed a net gain of four seats to secure control, they achieved at least six flips.

Key Democratic pickups included:

- North Carolina, where former Gov. Roy Cooper won an open seat previously held by Republicans.

- South Carolina, where pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, who had been appointed after the death of her brother, longtime Sen. Lindsey Graham.

- Texas, where state Rep. James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to statewide office in the state in decades.

- Ohio, where former Sen. Sherrod Brown defeated appointed Sen. Jon Husted.

- Kansas and Iowa, where Democrats Adam Hamilton (or equivalent reported winners) and Josh Turek unseated Republican incumbents Roger Marshall and Rep. Ashley Hinson, respectively.

Democrats also held competitive seats in Georgia (Sen. Jon Ossoff) and New Hampshire.

Several races, including Alaska and Maine, remained uncalled in early returns, but the projected majority was secure.

The results mark a dramatic reversal from 2024, when voters returned Trump to the White House and handed Republicans Senate control.

Analysts described the outcome as a clear referendum on Trump’s second-term performance, driven by persistent concerns over inflation and the cost of living, the ongoing war involving Iran, energy prices, tariffs, and broader dissatisfaction with the administration.

Exit polling and pre-election surveys showed majority disapproval of Trump’s job performance even in many states he had carried comfortably two years earlier.

Trump had campaigned aggressively for Republican candidates in the final weeks, urging voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot” and personally backing several nominees, including Paxton in Texas and others in Ohio, Kansas and South Carolina.

In a post-election statement on social media, he noted that he was not on the ballot and claimed a different result would have occurred had he been.

Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), is expected to reclaim the majority leader post when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.

The shift will give Democrats control of the Senate agenda, committee chairmanships, and subpoena power.

It constrains Trump’s ability to advance legislation, confirm Cabinet and judicial nominees, including potential Supreme Court appointments, and reshape the federal judiciary during the final two years of his term.

“Against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate and we have five words to the American people: relief is on the way,” Schumer said in remarks after the projections.

Trump has signaled he would use his veto power aggressively against Democratic priorities, raising the prospect of divided government and legislative gridlock on must-pass spending bills and other measures.

Control of the House of Representatives remained unresolved in early counting in some reports, though Democrats made significant gains and multiple outlets projected or anticipated a Democratic majority there as well, which would give the party full control of Congress for the first time since 2022.