Millions of Americans are heading to the polls in midterm elections that could reshape Washington’s political landscape and deliver a major setback to President Donald Trump.
The elections are widely viewed as a nationwide assessment of Trump’s second presidency, with Democrats seeking to take control of the House of Representatives and challenge Republican dominance in the Senate.
A Democratic victory in the House would allow the party to block parts of Trump’s legislative agenda and launch investigations into his administration. Losing the Senate would also complicate the president’s ability to secure confirmation for senior officials and judicial appointments.
All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested, alongside governorships in 36 states.
Democrats need a net gain of three seats to take control of the House and four seats to secure a Senate majority, according to the figures provided in the election report.
Economic Discontent Dominates Campaign
Rising living costs have emerged as a major concern for voters, putting pressure on Republicans ahead of Election Day.
Trump returned to the White House last year promising to reduce prices, but inflation, tariffs and higher fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East have added to financial pressures on American households.
The president’s approval rating has remained near the low 30s, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with his administration.
Republicans have defended Trump’s tax cuts and immigration policies, arguing that they will benefit the country. They have also portrayed Democratic candidates as too far to the left.
However, economic concerns featured less prominently in Trump’s final public campaign appearance on Monday. Much of his speech focused on the troubled renovation of Washington’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Trump described the election as one of the most important midterms in American history but soon returned to discussing the renovation project.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised the speech, describing it as a “pathetic closing message”.
Democrats Target Competitive Senate Races
Although Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Democrats are competing in several traditionally conservative states, including Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio and Alaska.
The party must also defend competitive seats, including in Michigan, where an internal dispute intensified after Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers instead of the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed.
According to Decision Desk HQ’s final forecast cited in the report, Democrats were projected to win 241 House seats against 194 for Republicans. The forecast also suggested a possible 52-48 Democratic majority in the Senate.
The predictions indicate a potentially difficult night for Republicans, although the final outcome will depend on voter turnout and results in closely contested states.
Trump approval remains at record-low 32% as Democrats lead ahead of midterms
More Than 57 Million Americans Voted Early
More than 57 million Americans had already cast their ballots before Election Day, reflecting strong voter engagement in the contest.
The campaign has also attracted more than $11 billion in political advertising, while billionaire Elon Musk, a prominent Trump ally, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars supporting Republican political efforts.
In Georgia, retired teacher Jane Callum, 77, was among Democratic volunteers campaigning for Senator Jon Ossoff.
She told AFP that she felt a responsibility to help change the country’s political direction and protect democratic institutions.
Republican supporters, meanwhile, remained confident about their party’s chances. Texas military veteran Yvonne Clouser told AFP that she believed Republicans would win.
Concerns Over Election Results
Attention is also turning to whether candidates and political leaders will accept the election results.
Trump has repeatedly made claims of widespread voter fraud without providing evidence and previously attempted to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
The Justice Department, led by a Trump ally, had already taken legal action that could potentially affect certification of Alaska’s Senate race if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan narrowly lost. However, a court rejected the effort on the eve of the election.
The Supreme Court also rejected an emergency request on Monday seeking to force California to set aside mail-in ballots belonging to more than 20,000 people over claims that they might not be US citizens.
Trump Warns of Political Standoff
Trump is expected to follow the election results from the White House on Tuesday night.
He has suggested that losing control of Congress could lead to a political confrontation with Democrats.
“I veto everything,” Trump said during a podcast appearance on Monday, although he indicated that he might eventually reach agreements with Democratic lawmakers.
The outcome of the midterms will determine how much political room Trump has to pursue his domestic and foreign policy agenda during the remainder of his presidency.
A Democratic takeover of either chamber would significantly alter the balance of power in Washington and create a major test of Trump’s leadership.
