Democrats Win Control of U.S. House and Senate in 2026 Midterm Elections

The Democratic Party achieved a landslide victory in the U.S. midterm election, gaining control of Congress, according to a report by BBC News Chinese.

Election Results and Political Reactions

While the party of the incumbent president typically faces setbacks during midterm elections, the scale of the Republican Party's defeat is viewed as a rejection of President Trump's performance during his first two years in office.

Following the results, Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host, stated on his podcast that the outcome was "the end of the Trump era" and described the results as "the biggest blowout of our lifetimes."

Carlson also criticized specific Republican candidates, including Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), and noted that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) failed in his bid for a fourth term. Carlson stated, "In fact, almost kind of no matter what they do, given the numbers of it, if you game it out, there’s kind of no coming back for a generation."

President Trump, in an interview with Fox News, stated that the Democrats "did a good job" and admitted the war with Iran was one of the reasons for the Republican Party's defeat, though he maintained that military intervention was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Factors Influencing the Vote

According to BBC News Chinese, several key factors contributed to the Democratic victory:

• Cost of Living: Voters expressed dissatisfaction with rising prices. According to government data, the average retail price of diesel in the U.S. approached a record high of $6.52 per gallon in early October. A voter survey showed that 79% of voters stated inflation has caused "serious or moderate difficulties" for their families.
• Conflict with Iran: A war launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in February led to retaliatory actions that blocked the Strait of Hormuz, impacting energy supplies and fuel prices. A survey indicated that 63% of respondents believed the military action against Iran was a "wrong decision."
• Democratic Campaign Messaging: Democratic candidates focused on healthcare accessibility and the cost of living. Notable victories included Annie Andrews in South Carolina, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and Senator Jon Ossoff in Georgia.
• Demographic Shifts: The Democratic Party won all House seats in Texas and border regions with Mexico. According to an analysis by The New York Times, Republican Senate candidates saw a decline of more than 22 percentage points in counties where the Hispanic population is the majority compared to the 2024 election.

Why it matters

The shift in congressional control marks a significant change in the legislative landscape for the remainder of President Trump's second term and reflects widespread voter concerns regarding inflation and foreign military involvement.

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Sources

• huffpost.com: Tucker Carlson Says It's The End Of The Trump Era After Blue Wave Midterms | HuffPost Latest News
• bbc.com (in Chinese): Five reasons for the Republican Party's disastrous defeat in the US midterm election: An analysis of Trump's electoral setbacks - BBC News Chinese

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.