Democrats seize both chambers as Trump approval lags

Democrats secured control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The final counts showed Democratic majorities larger than many projections indicated weeks prior. By 1 a.m. Eastern Time, data from Decision Desk HQ projected Democrats would win 256 House seats. That total comfortably exceeds the 218 seats required for a majority. In the Senate, Democrats held 54 seats while contests in Alaska and Mississippi remained unresolved.

Republican losses followed a period of voter dissatisfaction with living costs, the economy, the war in Iran, and the presidency. Decision Desk HQ polling showed President Trump’s approval rating running 20 points below his disapproval rating. During a midnight Fox News interview, Trump attributed the outcome to Republican candidates. He made similar claims in social media posts. Some Republicans questioned his role in the defeats, citing losses by candidates he had endorsed in major Senate races.

Texas delivered two major Democratic victories that shifted the regional balance. State Rep. James Talarico, 37, defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat. With 90 percent of ballots counted at 2 a.m., Talarico led by roughly 10 points. State Rep. Gina Hinojosa beat Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for the governorship. Abbott, who had served three terms, conceded to Hinojosa and appeared headed for a loss of about seven points.

The Texas races featured notable personal attacks. Trump helped Paxton defeat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Republicans cited Paxton’s history, including a securities fraud settlement, adultery allegations, and state House impeachment. Talarico faced a mocking nickname from Trump and insinuations about his sexuality from Vice President Vance and other Republicans.

In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed won the Senate seat, becoming the country’s first Muslim senator. Decision Desk HQ projected his victory shortly before 1:30 a.m. The former public health official’s win followed Islamophobic attacks from Trump. His Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, received an endorsement from Rep. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed had defeated in the Democratic primary.

Democrat Amy Acton also won the Ohio governorship, defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. An advertisement featuring Acton’s estranged mother attacking her credibility drew criticism from Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and former Gov. John Kasich. Counting continued in several prominent races early Wednesday, but the results aligned with polling that had forecast substantial Democratic gains.