Democrats swept to control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, propelled by widespread voter discontent over economic issues, government corruption, and the ongoing war in Iran. The results marked a significant shift back to the left after a rightward turn in previous elections.
At the time of publication, Democrats held a 54-seat majority in the Senate and had secured 228 seats in the House, with one Senate race in Alaska still too close to call. The Fox News Voter Poll, which surveyed over 100,000 registered voters nationwide between October 19 and November 3, 2026, indicated that factors such as inflation, tariffs, and the war in Iran significantly impacted voter decisions.
President Donald Trump's job approval rating stood at 38%, with a net rating of -24, a decline from his standing eight years prior. More voters indicated they cast their House vote to express opposition to Trump than to support him. A majority of voters also believed Trump's policies had worsened economic conditions, with his tariffs being a significant point of criticism.
The economy was identified as the most crucial issue facing the country by voters, with government corruption a close second. These concerns heavily favored Democratic candidates. While Republicans maintained an edge on immigration, Democrats saw gains across various demographics, including suburban and urban voters, women, and Hispanic voters, groups that had previously shown support for Republicans.
Rural voters, a key demographic for Trump's previous successes, showed a notable shift, with their advantage for Republican House candidates decreasing. Similarly, suburban women moved decisively towards Democrats, while young voters, including young men, made a substantial reversal in their party preference. Independents also demonstrated a significant shift, favoring Democratic candidates by a considerable margin.
Inflation was a primary concern for voters, with the cost of gas, healthcare, and groceries weighing heavily on household budgets. The war in Iran also played a role, with voters prioritizing an end to the conflict to lower gas prices over restarting military action against nuclear development.
Views on Artificial Intelligence (AI) revealed a general wariness, with a majority believing it would do more harm than good to society. Data center construction also emerged as a point of contention, particularly in rural communities, with a strong majority of voters opposing new facilities.
Voters expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of key institutions, including Congress and the Supreme Court. A majority felt Congress was not doing enough to provide checks and balances on the presidency, a sentiment that correlated with support for Democratic House candidates.