Democrats appeared poised to capture both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate on Tuesday night, following a series of stunning victories in traditionally Republican states that dealt a major setback to President Donald Trump.
The biggest political earthquakes came in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, where Democrats flipped Republican-held U.S. Senate seats in states Trump carried by double-digit margins in 2024.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from the state since 1988. Democrats also captured the governor’s mansion, with Gina Hinojosa defeating three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state in 94 years.
South Carolina delivered another major upset, with Democrat Annie Andrews defeating Republican Sen. Darline Graham, the state’s Trump-backed incumbent.
Democrats also flipped a Senate seat in Ohio, where former Sen. Sherrod Brown defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted. In the state’s gubernatorial contest, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Indian American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
The party also secured a Senate victory in North Carolina, while defending key Democratic seats in Georgia and New Hampshire.
Multiple news organizations projected Democrats would regain control of the House, while the party’s Senate gains brought it within reach of a majority. Several outstanding races remained crucial to determining the final composition of the upper chamber.
The results represent a dramatic reversal for Republicans, who entered Election Day controlling both chambers of Congress.
If Democrats capture both, they would gain substantial power to block Trump’s legislative agenda, investigate his administration and challenge his policies during the remaining two years of his presidency.
The election-night results come amid widespread voter dissatisfaction over the cost of living, inflation, immigration and the economic consequences of the war with Iran.
This is a developing story. The American Bazaar will continue updating it as additional results become available.