President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday night that he was not on the ballot, even after spending months instructing supporters to pretend otherwise, as Democrats scored a string of victories against his Republican Party. While a blue wave appeared to take hold across the country, Trump stated he was prepared to accept the results, though he insisted on social media that if he had been on the ballot, Republicans would have won in a landslide. The vote was widely viewed as a referendum on his leadership, with his approval rating slumping to record lows due to rising fuel prices, cost of living concerns, and an unpopular war with Iran.
The election results marked stunning defeats for Republicans in former strongholds, leading to Democrats retaking control of the US Senate. In historic upsets, Kansas elected Democrat Adam Hamilton to the Senate for the first time since 1932, while Texas saw James Talarico win a Senate seat for the first time since 1988. Additionally, Annie Andrews won a Senate seat in South Carolina for the first time since 1998. Democrats are also widely expected to take control of the House of Representatives, having flipped five seats early in the evening, including three in the key swing state of Pennsylvania.
Beyond congressional races, voters chose governors in 36 states, resulting in historic firsts for the Democratic party. Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in Georgia, and Chris Pappas became the first out gay man elected to the Senate in New Hampshire. In Texas, Talarico defeated Republican state attorney general Ken Paxton, ending his party's three-decade drought in statewide elections. The race attracted national attention and over $150 million in support from billionaire Elon Musk, who spent approximately $366 million total supporting Republicans across the country.
Trump held 30 campaign rallies in the past month, with speeches that included false claims and personal ruminations. His closing address at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool focused on topics such as algae and granite rather than policy. In an apparent attempt to sway Democratic-leaning voters unhappy with US support for Israel, Trump announced the US would stop $4 billion in annual funding to Israel after the end of the year. He also characterized Democratic candidates as radical and dangerous, though polls suggest voters prioritized economic issues over his messaging.
The elections could have profound consequences for Trump's ability to govern, as a Democratic takeover of either chamber would provide checks on the White House, potentially opening the way for investigations and renewed impeachment efforts. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, is in line to become the first Black speaker of the House if his party takes control. The campaign was among the most expensive in US history, with projected spending reaching $11.9 billion.
Concerns about federal interference accompanied the political battle, with the Justice Department deploying about 1,000 election monitors across all 50 states, described as the biggest such effort in its history. While the department stated monitors would observe compliance with federal law, voting rights groups warned their presence could intimidate voters. The administration also pursued legal challenges over alleged non-citizen voting and sought to prevent certification of the Senate result in Alaska if Republican Dan Sullivan narrowly lost to Democrat Mary Peltola, though a federal judge dismissed the initial effort.
Sources: The Guardian World.