Democrats are projected to win enough seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to regain control of the chamber, propelled by voter discontent with the economy and President Trump's approval ratings, according to ABC News projections. The party also flipped at least six Senate seats, including in traditionally Republican states like Kansas and South Carolina, and secured several governor's seats in red states.
These shifts in power could limit President Trump's executive influence and impact domestic and foreign policy, particularly amid an unpopular war with Iran, rising inflation, and record-high fuel prices. Two weeks prior to the midterm elections, Trump's approval rating dipped to 37%, with a 62% disapproval rating, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll. Approximately two-thirds of Americans disapproved of his handling of the economy.
Key Senate victories for Democrats include flipping seats in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, and Kansas. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is projected to win the Senate race, defeating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, is projected to win the South Carolina Senate race, unseating an incumbent. Roy Cooper, former governor of North Carolina, is projected to win that state's Senate race. Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff is projected to win reelection in Georgia. In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson. In Kansas, megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton is projected to win the Senate race, defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
In the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats were on the ballot, Democrats needed to gain at least three seats to shift the balance of power. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed that "change" is coming, indicating a focus on reform of the Supreme Court. Democrats are also aiming to set a new record for electing Democratic women to the House, with at least 100 projected wins.