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Democrats won control of the US Congress and captured several key governorships. The sweeping result reflected voter anger and sharply constrained President Donald Trump's agenda.
Washington,Nov 4, 2026 13:22 IST
American voters handed the opposition Democratic Party control of the US Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections, while the party also won key governor's posts, news agency Press Trust of India reported. The results were a major setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
Republicans suffered defeats in strongholds including Texas, Georgia and Iowa, where Democrats won the governor's posts. They also lost Senate races in Texas, Maine, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kansas and Iowa, despite Trump campaigning for the party and urging voters to act as though he was on the ballot.
The losses were attributed to anger over Trump's policies, including the war on Iran, which have led to a higher cost of living and increased diesel prices. Voters interviewed by PTI at polling booths repeatedly cited Trump's lies and boasts as reasons for rejecting him.
"Trump is a disgrace. I do not want him to be a role model for my children, and the sooner he is out of office the better," a Democratic voter said in Georgia, traditionally a Republican state.
Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a Trump favourite, lost the Ohio governor's race to Democrat Amy Acton after a bitter campaign that divided the Republican Party. Republicans were also on course to lose control of the House of Representatives.
"The Trump era is over," Republican leader Chris Christie told ABC News.
Trump conceded defeat in media interviews and said he was ready to work with the Democrats. The elections are known as midterms because they are held in the middle of a president's four-year term.
"My message is, congratulations to the Democrats, and I look forward to working with you for the good of our country," Trump told CBS News. "I am absolutely willing to accept those results," he told The New York Times on Tuesday night as the results came in.
Trump later said the Republican Party had lost because he was not on the ballot. He said he had no regrets about endorsing candidates such as South Carolina Senator Darline Graham and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Paxton's defeat by James Talarico marked the first time in nearly 40 years that Texas will send a Democrat to the Senate. Graham, the sister of the late Trump loyalist Lindsey Graham, was appointed to complete her brother's Senate term after his death earlier this year.
Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the outgoing Senate. By 1.30 am Eastern time on Wednesday, Democrats had won 53 seats and taken control of the chamber, while Republicans had 41 seats. Six races were yet to be called, according to PTI. In the outgoing House, Republicans held a narrow 220-215 majority but were on course to lose control.
"I wasn't on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump posted on Truth Social.
North Carolina was the first Senate seat to change party control, with Democrat Roy Cooper defeating Republican Michael Whatley. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms became the state's first Black governor after defeating Republican nominee Rick Jackson.
In Iowa, Democrat Rob Sand won the governor's post by defeating Republican Zach Lahn. Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott to become the first Latino elected as governor of Texas.
In Kansas, pastor and politician Adam Hamilton won a Senate seat for the Democrats for the first time in nearly 100 years. In Ohio, Republican Jon Husted, who was appointed to the US Senate after JD Vance was elected Vice-President, lost to Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff was re-elected in Georgia. He is seen as a potential presidential candidate in the 2028 election.
An Associated Press poll found that about six in 10 voters disapproved of Trump's performance as president. About 70 per cent wanted Congress to provide more checks and balances on the presidency, while roughly six in 10 said Trump placed his personal interests above those of the country.
Democratic control of Congress will restrict Trump's ability to pursue his agenda because lawmakers can block presidential measures. He can continue to issue executive orders during the rest of his term and veto legislation passed by Congress.
As the results emerged, Trump posted a picture on Truth Social of a red cap with the word "VETO" on the front. The Democratic victories in Congress and key states marked widespread losses for Republicans midway through Trump's term.
With PTI Inputs
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