Democrats made sweeping gains in the US midterm elections, winning control of the Senate and emerging as favourites to take the House of Representatives. The results would give the party a significant check on President Donald Trump and could enable it to investigate his administration and increase pressure on the White House over its policies.
Democratic candidates won key Senate races in Texas and South Carolina. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, while Annie Andrews won in South Carolina. The party also recorded historic Senate victories in Iowa and Kansas and flipped House seats across the country.
In gubernatorial races, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, a state that has leaned Republican in recent years and was previously represented in the Senate by Vice President JD Vance.
Trump responded to the results with a series of posts on Truth Social, claiming that he would have won “in a landslide” if he had been on the ballot. He also said he planned to comment on why candidates had won or lost.
Before polls closed, Trump told CBS News he could veto Democratic legislation if the party gained control of either chamber of Congress, adding that he did not mind being called “Mr. Veto.” He later posted an image of a red cap bearing the word “veto.” However, he told The New York Times that he was “absolutely willing” to accept the election results and ready to work with Democrats.
Before the election, Republicans held 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats, compared with 45 for Democrats; two seats were held by independents. A party needs 51 seats for a Senate majority. In the House, 218 seats are required for control, the number Republicans held before the vote.
Congressional elections take place every two years, halfway through a president’s four-year term, and are often viewed as a referendum on the president’s performance.
Sources: Euronews English.