WASHINGTON: Democrats have made an early breakthrough in the 2026 US midterm elections, winning a series of closely watched Senate contests as the first results emerge from across the country.
Former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley to capture an open Senate seat, turning a Republican-held position into a Democratic gain.
In Georgia, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff secured re-election against Republican challenger Mike Collins, while fellow Democrat Mark Warner was projected to retain his seat in Virginia.
The early victories give Democrats momentum in their attempt to regain control of Congress, but the outcome of several closely contested races will determine whether they can secure a majority in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Key Senate Results
North Carolina delivered one of the most significant early results of election night. Cooper’s victory over Whatley gives Democrats a crucial pickup in their effort to take control of the Senate.
In Georgia, Ossoff held his seat after a campaign centred on the rising cost of living. He portrayed Collins as a loyal supporter of Trump, while the Republican challenger blamed economic pressures on former president Joe Biden and defended the administration’s war with Iran.
Warner’s projected victory in Virginia also helped Democrats defend their existing Senate position.
Republicans, meanwhile, held on to Florida’s Senate seat, where Republican Ashley Moody won a special election against Democratic challenger Angie Nixon. The contest was to complete the remaining term of Marco Rubio, who left the Senate to join Trump’s administration.
Democrat Chris Pappas also captured New Hampshire’s Senate seat, according to the Associated Press, adding to the party’s early gains.
Despite these results, control of the upper chamber remains uncertain. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take a Senate majority.
House Battle
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested, with Democrats needing a net gain of just three seats to take control.
Republicans entered the election with a narrow majority, leaving little room for losses. Polls and non-partisan election analysts had indicated that Democrats were better positioned to capture the House, although the outcome depends on dozens of closely fought district races.
If Democrats secure a majority, Representative Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black speaker of the House.
The election also includes 35 Senate seats, 36 gubernatorial contests and thousands of state-level legislative races and ballot measures.
Trump Under Pressure
The election is widely being viewed as a referendum on Trump’s second term, with his approval ratings, the economy and the war with Iran emerging as major campaign issues.
Early CBS News exit polling put Trump’s job approval among voters at 38 per cent, a level the network said would be the lowest for a president in a midterm election since it began tracking the measure in 2006.
Roughly three-quarters of voters said they were dissatisfied with the direction of the country, while around six in 10 said Trump was a factor in their vote for the House of Representatives.
The figures suggest that the president’s record and policies played a significant role in the election, particularly among voters supporting Democratic candidates.
Cost of Living
Economic pressure has been a central concern for voters, with rising grocery bills, household expenses and fuel prices featuring prominently in the campaign.
The war with Iran has added to the pressure, with higher energy costs and wider geopolitical uncertainty becoming part of the debate over the administration’s foreign policy.
Democrats sought to turn voter frustration over affordability into support for their candidates, while Republicans blamed economic difficulties on policies introduced by the previous administration.
What Comes Next
A Democratic takeover of either chamber would significantly alter the political landscape in Washington during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
Control of the House would give Democrats greater authority over congressional committees, investigations and oversight of the administration.
A Senate majority would also give the party greater influence over legislation and the confirmation of federal judges and senior government appointments.
For international governments, investors and businesses, the results could affect the direction and pace of Trump’s domestic, trade and foreign policy agenda.
With several competitive races still being counted, the early Democratic victories have changed the political landscape of election night, but the final balance of power in Washington has yet to be decided.
