After winning key midterm races, Democrats take control of the Senate, reshaping Trump’s final two years

Senate changes hands

Democrats won control of the Senate, setting up a new period of opposition to Trump’s policies. The change could limit his legislative plans and affect his hopes of maintaining a conservative shift on the Supreme Court.

Trump has said he would use his veto to block Democratic measures, raising the prospect of legislative deadlock. Republicans had been trying to hold the Senate, despite an election map that had earlier appeared to favor them.

Victories across conservative states

Democratic candidates secured wins in several states considered among the nation’s most conservative. Josh Turek defeated Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa, while Adam Hamilton unseated Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas.

In Texas, James Talarico beat Ken Paxton, and Annie Andrews won against Darline Graham in South Carolina. Sherrod Brown defeated Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, while Roy Cooper captured an open seat in North Carolina.

In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff won another term by defeating Rep. Mike Collins. New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas also won a Senate seat, defeating former Sen. John Sununu to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

House control remains uncertain

The House outcome was still too close to call, though Democrats had flipped seven seats as they pursued a majority. They need a net gain of three seats to take control.

Democrats defeated Republicans in battleground races, including Rep. Tom Kean in New Jersey and Reps. Ryan Mackenzie, Scott Perry and Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania. Jamie Ager won in North Carolina, Rebecca Bennett beat Kean, and Democrats also captured open seats in North Carolina and Kentucky.

Voter concerns shaped campaign

The contests reflected frustration over the cost of living, the war in Iran and concerns about corruption in government. Democrats argued that dissatisfaction with inflation and Trump’s priorities could move voters their way.

Republicans spent tens of millions of dollars in states and districts Trump had won comfortably two years earlier, and Trump campaigned in conservative states. They had hoped their spending advantage would blunt Democratic gains.